J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces - Couverture souple

Livre 86 sur 96: Aircraft of the Aces

Izawa, Yasuho; Holmes, Tony

 
9781472812612: J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces

Synopsis

An illustrated volume on the Raiden and Shiden, which both proved to be more than a match for Allied Fighters over the Pacific, ideal for those with interest in Japanese aviation during World War 2.

Although seen as a replacement for the A6M Zero-sen carrier-based fighter, the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was actually designed as a land-based naval interceptor optimised for speed rather than manoeuvrability. Engine cooling problems for its Mitsubishi Kasai 23 engine, airflow and flight control issues plagued the Raiden's development, but despite these production delays, aces Sadaaki Akamatsu Yoshihiro Aoki, Susumu Ito and Susumu Ishihara all claimed significant scores in the Raiden.

Kawanishi's N1K family of fighters were privately developed by the manufacturer from the N1K Kyofu floatplane fighter. Again plagued by structural and engine maladies, the N1K1-J Shiden eventually entered frontline service in time to see considerable action in the doomed defence of the Philippines in October 1944. Despite suffering heavy losses, the units equipped with new fighter proved that the N1K could more than hold its own against P-38s and F6Fs.

As this volume outlines, the improved N1K2-J Shiden-KAI started to reach the frontline by late 1944 - in time for defence of the Home Islands. Here, it proved to be the best IJN fighter of the war.

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À propos des auteurs

Yasuho Izawa is an ophthalmic optician whose past works include co-authoring Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units and their Aces 1931-45, Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and their Aces 1932-45 and Bloody Shambles Vols 1 and 2. He lives in Tokyo.

Having initially worked for Osprey as an author in the 1980s, Tony Holmes became the company's aviation editor in 1989 after he moved to England from Western Australia. Responsible for devising the Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft, Aviation Elite Units, Duel and X-Planes series, Tony has also written more than 30 books for Osprey over the past 35 years.

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974-78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.

Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1964 and has developed a lifelong passion for aviation history. He first worked as a photographer before turning his attention solely to artwork, and is now highly regarded in his field for the quality and accuracy of his work. He became the youngest elected member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1991. Mark is a valued Osprey artist and has contributed to more than 100 of its books.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.