Japanese Secret Projects: Experimental Aircraft of the Ija and Ijn 1939-1945 [Hardcover]

Edwin M. Dyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2009

Secret and X-Plane aircraft projects remain highly popular with historians, enthusiasts, modellers and the flight sim community. Surprisingly, secret Japanese planes of World War 2 remain an area which has been largely ignored due to scarcity of information. They do, however, have a large base of interest as unlike the majority of secret Luftwaffe programs that were resigned to the drawing board, the vast number of aircraft featured within this book actually flew or were in development. The book is divided into two sections dedicated to the two air forces of the IJA and IJN, with over 42 aircraft examined, each with its history, variants, performance, and any combat records laid out in an easy to read fashion. Much information about their secret technical exchanges with the Luftwaffe throughout the war is also uncovered. This is beautifully complimented by stunning colour renditions of the aircraft in combat and colour profiles of genuine markings and camouflage. Notable emphasis is placed upon the transonic rammer aircraft, strategic long-range bombers, and the ways in which the Japanese adapted German technology to their needs, particularly the Me262 and Me 163 Komet. Secret Japanese armaments are also covered in detail, with information on guided missiles, aerial rockets, and unique bombs. It is a gripping read for aviation and military enthusiasts around the world!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edwin M. Dwyer has studied military technology for more than 20 years, concentrating on weaponry from 1914 to 1960. In 1999, he created the Hikoki:1946 website, highlighting Japanese experimental aircraft. He is currently serving in the United States Civil Air Patrol with the rank of Master Sergeant.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Midland Pub Ltd (December 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857803175
• ISBN-13: 978-1857803174
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not as accurate as other secret projects books, April 5, 2010

By 

Jean Philippe Divo (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Japanese Secret Projects: Experimental Aircraft of the Ija and Ijn 1939-1945 (Hardcover)

This book is a must for people passionate in aeronautics engineering, especially in "what if?" historical alternatives. In this case, it addresses the aircraft designs of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy that did not make it out of the drawing board or, eventually, reached hardware testing just before the closure of World War II.
I recommend the book for the interesting pages about the desperate attempts to modify the course of the war and oppose to the American advance from 1943 on - from special mission designs (kamikaze) to manufacturing of wooden combat aircraft in secret caves, from submarines carrying the latest German technology to Japan (most of them getting sunk) to the only successful bombing of USA by Japan using hydrogen high atmosphere balloons...
However, compared to the previous books in the same series (German, British, Soviet and US Secret Projects), this one does not feature the same quality in writing and accuracy, possibly due to the lack of reliable archives from Japanese war time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fabulous book in this great series, March 12, 2010

By 

James Pernikoff (Marietta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Japanese Secret Projects: Experimental Aircraft of the Ija and Ijn 1939-1945 (Hardcover)

The latest in Midland's fine series about drawing-board designs actually includes some that flew, including the Ohka bomb, the Ki-115 and the J7W Shinden. There are separate chapters on IJA and IJN designs, along with chapters on ordnance (including the balloon bombs that made it to Oregon) and on all the German aircraft which the Japanese received. Some of the computer-generated artwork is quite striking, including the cover art depicting B-35s (escorted by P-51Ds fitted with wingtip ramjets!) being attacked by Manshu Ki-98s! If you like this sort of "what if" stuff you need this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Secret Projects, March 30, 2010

By 

Eugene W. Moyers "Eugene Moyers" (Beaverton, Oregon) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Japanese Secret Projects: Experimental Aircraft of the Ija and Ijn 1939-1945 (Hardcover)

Great treatment of this topic. Excellent color artwork, although I would have appreciated a few more line drawings of the variations. A fine companion to the well known German Secret Aircraft project books.