{"product_id":"hat-in-the-ring-the-birth-of-american-air-power-in-the-great-war-9781588341501","title":"Hat in the Ring: The Birth of American Air Power in the Great War","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Congress declared war in April 1917  the Europeans had already deployed their third generation of fighters  equipped with machine guns and capable of speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour  while the American Air Service consisted of only a handful of aviators in unarmed trainers. In this first in-depth study of Americas first air warriors  Frandsen shows how in just two years the 1st Pursuit Group organized  absorbed French and British technology and experience  and became a well-led  respected  and lethal force over the trenches of the Western Front.  Fascinating portraits of Americas first aviation leaders and legends  including Eddie Rickenbacker  Billy Mitchell  Frank Luke  Benjamin Foulouis  Bert Atkinson  and James Meissner  provide new and controversial perspective on one of Americas least understood wars and on the origins of the most powerful air force in history. Toxic personalities  competing French-British tactics and aircraft  and an experienced  aggressive enemy forced the Americans into a tactical crucible with deadly results  including 73 casualties in the Meuse-Argonne campaign alone.  From the Trade Paperback edition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648349462581,"sku":"ByrdShop_158834150X","price":32.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781588341501.jpg?v=1781716773","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/hat-in-the-ring-the-birth-of-american-air-power-in-the-great-war-9781588341501","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}