NATO RECCE 1950-1965

Fresh out of WWII, Western European countries organised themselves along what would become the Iron Curtain and quickly sought to gauge the strength of their new adversary. Their air forces initially received surplus equipment, then fighters and bombers specially modified to map and identify enemy assets.

RF-80 Shooting Star, RT-33 Thunderbird, F-84E/G Thunderjet, F2H-2P Banshee, RB-45 Tornado, RB-66 Destroyer, RB-26 Invader, RF-84F Thunderflash, Canberra PR3/7, RF-8 Crusader, Mirage IIIR and Étendard IV P formed the Alliance’s photographic spearhead.

This book presents NATO’s tactical reconnaissance units and their aircraft in service between 1950 and 1965, with around a hundred previously unpublished colour drawings by the author. A rare subject, treated in detail for the first time in this format.