North American F-100 Super Sabre

 One aspect of researching the first volume in our book for Helion on the Cyprus crisis of 1963/64 was reading all I could find on the F-100 Super Sabre, my favourite modern fighter aircraft. I found David Anderton's long-out-of-print Osprey very useful, although, for the Turkish F-100s, Levent Basara's F-100 Super Sabre in Turkish Air Force was a must-read. Peter Davies's book (same title) also has a good chapter on the type in Turkish service. I read these in the National Library of Scotland, so I was delighted to pick up my own copy in the secondhand bookshop in Alnwick this year.

The F-100 Super Sabre (nicknamed the Hun) was the first supersonic jet fighter to enter service with the United States Air Force (USAF). It was developed by North American Aviation and was part of the Century Series of aircraft. The aircraft's first flight was on 25 May 1953 and entered service in 1954. The day after my birthday and just a wee bit older than me may explain my enthusiasm for this aircraft!

The F-100 featured a swept-wing design for high-speed performance. Its fuselage was designed to minimize drag, and it had an all-moving tailplane for improved control at supersonic speeds. This gave it a top speed of over Mach 1.3 (860 mph or 1,380 km/h), a service ceiling of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters), and a range of approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) without refuelling. Its main armament was four 20mm M39 cannons and various bombs and rockets.

Initially designed as a high-performance air superiority fighter, it was later adapted for ground-attack missions. It played a significant role in the Vietnam War, primarily in close air support and strike missions. NATO and allied nations also used it under the Military Assistance Program (MAP). This is how Turkey received 87 F-100s starting in 1959, C, D, and F ( two-seat trainer) models. Pilots were initially trained by USAF pilots. The Turkish Air Force received over 200 Super Sabres, some from USAF surplus and from Denmark. At least nine Filo (Squadron) operated the type, which saw extensive service in all stages of the Cyprus conflict. The Turks called it the Baba (Father), and if you read the memoirs of Turkish pilots, it was very popular. 

The Osprey book is double the length of a regular Osprey book. It is profusely illustrated and takes the reader through the stages of development and its service with the USAF. 

The French Air Force leased over 100 F-100s, and when they were returned, a significant number ended up at RAF Sculthorpe for scrapping. This is why several can be seen in UK aircraft museums. More than 100 are preserved worldwide.

Newark Air Museum

Dumfries Air Museum

Sunderland Air Museum

Türkiye has a good record of preserving military equipment for museums. Two F-100s in early and later colour schemes are at the Istanbul Air Museum. 

I have two 1/72nd scale Baba models from the PM Models range. This Turkish manufacturer makes a simple kit that suits my inadequate kit-building skills and has Turkish decals for both periods. They have seen a lot of tabletop action, often saving the Turks from near defeat.

I would also recommend the Facebook group, which has many photos shared by veterans and their families—a testimony to the Super Sabre's enduring attraction.

Cyprus 1974: A Wargamers Guide

 I have a new book out today, Cyprus 1974: A Wargamers Guide. The subject will be familiar given the number of scenario play tests I have covered in this blog, not to mention books and visits.

While I am co-writing a complete military history of the conflict for Helion Books, I didn't want the 50th anniversary to pass without providing something for all the wargamers who have played the games that appear as scenarios in the book. So, this is an Osprey-length teaser on the history, but it has everything the wargamer needs to refight the conflict on the tabletop.

This book explores the background of the conflict. It details the armed forces involved, including regular units from Turkey and Greece, the Greek Cypriot National Guard, and Turkish Cypriot militia units. British and UN forces were also present on the island, and I mention them as well because they could easily have been drawn in. It outlines the military operations conducted on land, at sea, and in the air, drawing on interviews with veterans and published memoirs.

It also offers modelling suggestions for the various forces involved and presents eight scenarios to re-enact key actions on the tabletop. These scenarios are illustrated with wargames, maps, and orders of battle that can be adapted to popular wargame rules.

This conflict has probably been overlooked because the major powers were not involved, and it doesn't fit with the Cold War narrative that dominated the period. This is my modest attempt to rectify that.

And if you are looking for that late Christmas present - here are a few more titles to consider! 

The Queen's Grace

 The latest in my Nigel Tranter project also covers the rule of Mary Queen of Scots. However, this is one of Tranter's earlier novels (1953) that covers a specific part of the period: the conflict with the Gordons in northeast Scotland.

The story is told through the eyes of a minor Gordon laird, Patrick MacRuary Gordon, Laird of Balruary in Glen Livet. Glen Livet is a scenic spot to this day, although it is probably better known for Glenlivet whisky. The Gordons are a predominately Catholic clan led by the Earl of Huntly (Cock o' the North). Still, Patrick's father was a noted protestant, making him a suitable go-between with the Queen and the Protestant Lords of the Congregation led by her half-brother James Stewart, Earl of Mar. Called 'The Bastard' by just about everyone.

Glen Livet

The Protestant Lords were spoiling for a fight with the Gordons, who were generally willing to oblige. James Stewart was also anxious to secure his Earldom of Moray, which abuts the Gordon territories. The Gordons were a strange mix of Highland and Lowland, creating division compounded by differences in strategy between the two sons. Mary was also in a difficult position as a Catholic Queen who would generally have looked to the Gordons for support.

Moray brings a large lowland army north on a royal progress to Aberdeen and Inverness. Patrick gains the Queen's confidence and gets involved in all the main events. This all ends badly at the Battle of Corrichie, fought on the slopes of the Hill of Fare in Aberdeenshire on 28 October 1562. Clan Chattan abandoned Huntly, and the new-fangled pike and shot tactics defeated the Gordon charge. Huntly died of a heart attack on the battlefield, and his son John was captured and executed. The older son was not at the battle and was spared by Mary's intervention, and she later restored his titles. The Gordon story lived on, and they will play an important part in future events.

Gordon Horse, of a slightly later period