World War II Troop Type Parachutes Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan: An Illustrated Study [Paperback]

Guy Richards (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Military History | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

World War II Troop Type Parachutes is uniquely suited for anyone interested in the history of airborne troops, and is profusely illustrated with unpublished period and contemporary photographs. Collectors, modelers and history researchers will be able to identify all of the troop parachutes used by the Axis powers in World War II. Additionally technical data, drawings and packing instructions are included for those who own or find a vintage parachute. The narrative describes the developmental history of the equipment and employment technique. Incidentals such as aircraft, tactical use, uniforms and even insignia are mentioned if they alter or refute what has previously been accepted as fact. This initial volume is devoted to the three Axis nations that formed paratroop units: Germany, Italy and Japan. A future volume will cover the Allied countries: Russia (USSR), France, Poland, Britain and the U.S. The chapters in each volume are arranged in the approximate chronological order of development.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764311107
• ISBN-13: 978-0764311109
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,744,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The only work availbale on this technical subject, May 17, 2006

By 

David Mckenzie "libertas et natale solum" (Auckland,Aotearoa-New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: World War II Troop Type Parachutes Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan: An Illustrated Study (Paperback)

Okay,so you're a collector of airborne paraphenalia(excuse the pun),where are you going to learn about the items that make a parachute soldier unique?Here is a concise,clearly documented analysis and history of the Axis parachutes.You learn from an experts eye how to repack that original 'chute,the pros and cons of each system,and how the troops used them.
I was fascinated with the Fallschirmjager before I purchased this book,but my knowledge was seriously lacking as to recognition and handling of their RZ chutes.Now ,I can be confident that my collection recieves the appropriate care thanks to Mr Richards methodical ,painstaking research and publication.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Technical, December 1, 2008

By 

James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World War II Troop Type Parachutes Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan: An Illustrated Study (Paperback)

This work looks less at how these parachutes were used than the parachutes themselves, their construction and materials. There is some discussion of the units equipped with these parachutes but mostly it's about the gear. This book is filled with excellent photographs, both recent and contemporary, of the parachutes and associated material. There are diagrams of how the chutes were prepared and packed. However, I would have liked the book better if it had included diagrams to explain the construction of some of the canopies, which was hard for me to visualize despite the very good written descriptions. Richards has obviously done considerable research and it shows in his description of different models of the parachutes, especially the German RZ series. A very good reference.