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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Thrawn on April 30, 2001, 04:30:00 PM

Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Thrawn on April 30, 2001, 04:30:00 PM
I went to a book store and ordered "Fighter Combat: Tactics and Manuovering" (apparently it took the staff forever to track it down).  It retails for sixty bucks.  Thats pretty steep on my budget.  But I hear it's the end all and be all of ACM.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)

Can someone give me an idea of what's covered in the book.

P.S.
For those of you that aren't Canadian
$60 Cdn = about $1.52 American  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: -ammo- on April 30, 2001, 04:35:00 PM
yes it is if you are really interested in excelling in this Flight sim. Not a requirement but will put you way ahead.
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: sling322 on April 30, 2001, 04:37:00 PM
Dude...cant you order it from Amazon.com?  I think I saw it there for around $30 bucks American or so.
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Wanker on April 30, 2001, 05:05:00 PM
Yes! Absolutely worth every penny.

Although you'd never know it by looking at my score, it's done wonders for me. Hehe, just goes to show you how crappy a pilot I am!  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Thrawn on April 30, 2001, 05:10:00 PM
That's were the book store is getting it from.  Shipping, taxes and exchange rate beat the hell out of the price.  I've looked all over for books on ACM.  Unfortunately most books about WW2 fighters seem to be either to mostly technical schematics or anectodal with little information on how the manouvers are performed.
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Thunder on April 30, 2001, 05:11:00 PM
This is the bible for a serious pilot! This should give you an idea of what it covers. Hope this helps  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

 (http://www.applink.net/thunder/info/shaw.jpg)

 (http://www.applink.net/thunder/sig/thsig.jpg)
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Thrawn on April 30, 2001, 05:33:00 PM
Well I didn't understand about 90% of the terms in the contents.  So I guess I better pick it up.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks guys!

[This message has been edited by Thrawn (edited 04-30-2001).]
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Zippatuh on April 30, 2001, 05:43:00 PM
Good book.  Warning, it does read like stereo instructions.  Dont try and take all of it in at once.  Good luck.

Zippatuh
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: sling322 on April 30, 2001, 05:49:00 PM
Ouch....move to the States and save some money.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Yeager on April 30, 2001, 08:03:00 PM
I have it.....yeah, its nice but it didnt do me any good  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

Y
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Ozark on April 30, 2001, 10:40:00 PM
Check on eBay....I got a copy for $15.00.

hehe...sorry Mouse  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: jato757 on April 30, 2001, 10:48:00 PM
my boss knows the guy who wrote that book. yea its a great book, i got it for $40. always good to have around
btw i think he has hours loged in everything from the f14 f15 f18 and f22, to name a few   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  so u could say the guy knows his stuff!
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  (http://www.user.shentel.net/vonz/jato.JPG)  

[This message has been edited by jato757 (edited 04-30-2001).]

[This message has been edited by jato757 (edited 04-30-2001).]
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Montezuma on April 30, 2001, 11:35:00 PM
 
Quote
Originally posted by jato757:
my boss knows the guy who wrote that book.

Shaw was a AW player and he influenced the designs of WB and AH.

I got to meet him a couple times at AW Cons.  He is short but he plays a mean game of 'crud'.
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: streakeagle on April 30, 2001, 11:36:00 PM
First, let me say that this is one awesome book.  It is the best reference of all in my combat aviation libary, though some of the Salamander books like Modern Air Combat, the Great Book of Modern Warplanes, and the Great Book of WWII Warplanes are excellent as well.

But the main purpose of my reply is to note that Dale ("HiTech") has met the author while getting a ride in a real P-51 Mustang as depicted on the HTC "About Us" page (http://www.hitechcreations.com/about.html).

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 (http://homestead.juno.com/streakeagle/files/streakeagle.jpg)

[This message has been edited by streakeagle (edited 04-30-2001).]
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: storm on May 01, 2001, 05:17:00 AM
i ordered the book some weeks ago and i must say it's excellent

Not that i learned too much from it yet..but there are some really nice insights and hints

the ones that stuck best till now are

 "Speed is the cushion off sloppiness"...page 294

 "When actually firing at an enemy aircraft you are most vulnerable to attack.When you break away from an attack always break  with a violent skid just as though you were being fired at from behind.Because you probably are".....page 300


hehe both apply so nicely to AH (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)could have saved me lotta times if i applied those more often

only prob with the book is the lack of images
...tends to get dusty after a while

 cheers
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: fluffy on May 01, 2001, 08:39:00 AM
Gee, I ordered it through Amazon books online for $29 US - after exchange and shipping it was still under $50 CDN. It arrived in less than 2 weeks. I find it pretty heavy going as a read, and it is strongly oriented to real-world fighter flying - which means with wingmen - a fairly unusual experience in AH these days (for me anyway).

I also STRONGLY recommend ordering 'To Fly and Fight - Memoirs of a Triple Ace' by Clarence 'Bud' Anderson - I just received an autographed copy of this superb book last week.  'Bud' Anderson, pilot of the "Old Crow" p51s and good friend of Chuck Yeager (NOT his wingman though). Bud's son is marketing the book online and it is a thrill to own a copy that has been signed by this living legend. He flew p51Bs, a p51B with Malcolm hood (I think that was his favourite) and a p51D on his second tour of duty. He includes a lot of interesting details about flying these aircraft. His descriptions of dogfights are intense.

Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Ripsnort on May 01, 2001, 08:42:00 AM
Udie and I had the priveledge of having Mouse camped out on our boxes during the AH con in October, then I was also priveledged to sit down and have dinner with him as well, nice guy all around.
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: bojc on May 01, 2001, 09:17:00 AM
HEhe mouses' book fer 60 bucks?

I've got pictures of mouse mooning the palm spring WB con at gunjams pool, I'll sell for less than that.

Mouse is da MAN! Salute!
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: NHFoxtro on May 01, 2001, 09:35:00 AM
Its a great book,it helped me get better in flight sims, I often go thru it every now and then to help keep the info fresh in my mind.  
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: qts on May 01, 2001, 02:13:00 PM
Before buying it, I discussed it with some colleagues - ex RAF pilots - and their advice was that I'd be a fool not to buy it if I were serious.

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qts
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Daff on May 01, 2001, 05:33:00 PM
While it's a great book, it's not easy to understand...it's best used in conjunction with the trainers (Who hopefully have and understands it).
 I used it with a fair number of students when I was traiing in WB and having  the ability to both reference to the book and show them the actual maneuver flown was a great help.
 Pay special attention to the part about lift-vector...it's the most essential thing in ACM.

Daff

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CO, 56th Fighter Group
 www.56thfightergroup.org (http://www.56thfightergroup.org)
This is Yardstick, follow me"
Title: Is Shaw's book worth $60 Cdn?
Post by: Hangtime on May 01, 2001, 09:50:00 PM
"is Shaws book worth $60.00 canadian?"

Yup.

It's filled with first person accounts, quotes from the big boys of air combat from 6 decades of war in the skies, many many many diagrams of fights, their evolvement, their outcomes...

In short; this is the BIBLE of ACM. It teaches SA, energy, position, gunnery, dissimilar and similar ACM tactics, 1v2, 1v1, 2v2, section tactics.. all of it. In as much detail as you can assimilate. It can be (and will be if you are serious about becoming GOOD) read HUNDREDS of times, with each re-read producing more valuable knowledge and insight into the total experience of ACM. (Air Combat Manuvering)

Yes. Buy this book.

Hang