This book draws us into the dangerous world braved by American and North Vietnamese airmen in the skies over Southeast Asia. By detailing the technical specifications of each jet and analyzing their weaponry, avionics and survival equipment, the author reveals the strengths and weaknesses of two of the Cold War's most iconic combat aircraft. Influential wing and regiment commanders and tacticians are profiled, providing a comparative evaluation of their contrasting skills, and how they exploited the fighters' strengths and minimized their weaknesses in combat. First-hand accounts place you in the midst of these epic aerial engagements that were fought over the jungles of North Vietnam, as USAF Phantom-II crews attempted to defend vulnerable fighter-bombers from the aggressive attacks of the well-trained MiG-21 pilots. Book jacket.