# Topgun: The US Navy Fighter Weapons School: Fifty Years of Excellence - Hardcover

by **Brad Elward** (Author)

This book provides a unique, illustrated history of the US Navy Fighter Weapons School's 50-year history. Currently located at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, TOPGUN was formed in late 1968 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, to create a graduate-level course in fighter tactics for Navy pilots deploying to Vietnam. Before TOPGUN, Navy F-4 Phantom II fighter crews in Vietnam managed only a 2.5:1 kill ratio versus Soviet-built MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters: after TOPGUN formed, the community tallied a 12.5:1 kill ratio. Since then, TOPGUN has become the standard-bearer of Navy fighter and strike fighter tactics and training and is recognized worldwide as a center of excellence.

-   TOPGUN's tactics and pilot training are explained, as well as changes and developments throughout the years to the present day.
-   All aircraft flown at TOPGUN since its founding are shown.
-   A-4 Skyhawk
-   T-38A/B Talon
-   F-5E/F Tiger II
-   F-16N Viper
-   F-14A Tomcat
-   F/A-18 Hornet
-   F-16A/B Falcon
-   F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

Brad Elward has written on military aviation topics since 1997. He has authored articles on TOPGUN for _The Hook_ and _Combat Aircraft_ magazines and has published 11 aviation books and over 50 aviation articles.

**Number of Pages:** 144

**Dimensions:** 0.7 x 9.3 x 9.2 IN

**Publication Date:** July 28, 2020

## Details

- **Price:** 24.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 24.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Topgun: The US Navy Fighter Weapons School: Fifty Years of Excellence - Hardcover

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