Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22) [Paperback]

Henry Sakaida (Author), Tom Tullis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1998

The outcome of the Pacific War was heavily influenced by the results of naval battles between the Imperial Japanese fleet and the US Navy. One of the key elements was Japan's large fighter component, which had gained experience over Manchuria, China and Mongolia in the late 1930s. Flying A5Ms, at least 21 pilots achieved 'acedom' securing air superiority for the invaders. Manufacturer Mitsubishi derived much from these campaigns, producing one of the best fighters of the War, the A6M Zero-Sen. Navy pilots proved to be highly skilled when engaged by the Allied forces, Pacific. Pilots like Nishizawa, Sagita and Sakai scoring more than 60 kills apiece.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Overall, this is an excellent summary of some very obscure, and more famous Japanese Naval Aces. In most cases, it is the only material where you will see certain names in print in English." -www.pacificwrecks.com

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (August 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855327279
• ISBN-13: 978-1855327276
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.4 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on the Japanese Naval Aces of World War II, October 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22) (Paperback)

An excellent book that covers all the Japanese Naval Aces of World War II. Most of us who have read up on this subject are familiar with names like Saburo Sakai and Nishizawa. Henry Sakaida has compiled years of research into this book and gives us insight into the other Japanese aces and the aircraft they flew.

Sadaaki Akamatsu and the J2M Raiden - whose exploits in the air and on the ground were every bit as legendary as Pappy Boyington.

Warrant Officer Muto and the N1K1 Shiden - a man whom Saburo Sakai once commented was the 'Toughest pilot in the Japanese Naval Air Force'

These two are just a few of the many pilots covered in this book. Highly recommended. You will not be disappointed!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Omedetou! (Congratulations!), November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22) (Paperback)

A wonderful book. Henry Sakaida does a marvelous job of introducing, if you will, the top pilots of the JNAF as not only aces, but as people in their own rights as well. Along with his book on the JAAF, this book serves to fill a huge gap in World War II aviation history. The color plates and photographs also serve to document other JNAF fighters than the ubiquitous Zero (I was particularly glad to see the N1K-1 and -2 Shiden fighters), and are of great use as reference materials when modelling.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars IN THE LACK OF OTHER BOOK...., December 8, 1999

By 

M. Fonseca "carmarthen" (Thunder) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22) (Paperback)

Sakaida fullfilled a historic gap with his book, but I don't like the "dictionary-like" style of the book. Anyway, it is the best I've ever read about Japanese fighter pilots, and the final appendixes are very instrutive.