Volume Eight presents the most accurate profiles and histories to date of Imperial Japanese Navy floatplanes which served in the South Pacific theater, throughout New Guinea and the Solomons.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII aircraft profiles to date of Japanese & Allied aircraft in the Pacific theater.Volume Three illustrates, by squadron, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 series medium bombers operating in New Guinea from July 1942 to the end of 1944. In this distant theater, a dozen USAAF A-20 squadrons from the 3rd, 312th and 417th Bombardment Groups, joined by No. 22 Squadron, RAAF, used many variants of the A-20, mainly as strafers. Squadron insignia, camouflage, heraldry, nose-art and command markings varied significantly between squadrons, giving a wide variety of color schemes. The profiles, based on photos, diaries and other wide-ranging documents, are accompanied by brief histories of each squadron, the development of respective heraldry and information on each aircraft profiled.The author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise in respect to the A-20 in the Pacific, stemming from his direct involvement in locating and recovering one from New Guinea in 1984. These rare profiles, many appearing for the first time, accurately portray the A-20 during this captivating timeframe of the South Pacific air war.
Pacific Profiles Volume 13 presents the most accurate wartime profiles and histories to date of Imperial Japanese Navy bombers, transports, flying boats and miscellaneous types which served in the South Pacific. This volume depicts the markings of two dozen mainstream and rare air groups (kokutai), many of which have never been illustrated before. Aircraft types include Betty and Nell bombers (and transports), Val and Judy dive-bombers; Emily and Mavis flying boats; Irving night fighters; Claude fighters; and Babs reconnaissance aircraft. Note this volume excludes floatplanes and Zeros, which are covered separately in Volumes Five and Eight of this series. Past markings errors are corrected, and many profiles are presented for the first time, alongside explanations of markings derivations, including the provenance of unit codes. Until now there has been a paucity of markings material about these units, especially the more esoteric ones such Nos. 31, 151, 501 and 552 Ku, and the night fighters of No. 251 Ku. Profiles are supported by photos and/or documentation, along with brief histories of each aircraft where known. Primary reference material is exclusively cited including assignment data, unit operational records, photography, diaries, factory markings, Allied intelligence wreck reports, POW interrogation reports, and Combined Fleet markings orders. A brief history of each unit and its leadership structure accompanies the text. The author is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before have IJN land-based units been illustrated with such breadth, accuracy and detail.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII aircraft profiles to date of Japanese & Allied aircraft in the Pacific theater.Volume Two illustrates, by unit, Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) bomber and other supporting aircraft types operating in New Guinea and the Solomons from December 1942 to April 1944. In this distant theater many different aircraft types and their variants were assigned to a variety of bomber, reconnaissance, command and transport units which together formed the 4th Air Army. Unit insignia, camouflage and command markings varied considerably from unit to unit, giving a wide variety of color, heraldry and markings. The profiles, based on photos, Japanese documents, Allied intelligence reports and post-war wreck investigations, are accompanied by brief histories of each relevant unit and explanations of their role in the theatre.The author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise in respect to wartime Japanese aviation. These profiles accurately portray JAAF bombers and support aircraft during this fascinating and esoteric timeframe of the Pacific air war.
With the 50th Anniversary of Victory in World War II comes PROTECT & AVENGE: The 49th Fighter Group in World War II.\nAfter six years of research, author and illustrator S.W. Ferguson, Along with 49ERS Association historian William K. Pascalis, have recreated the war-years odyssey of the famous 49ERS, the most successful fighter group in the war against Japan. Flyers Paul Wrutsmith, Bob Morrissey, Ernie Harris, Gerry Johnson, Bob DeHaven and leading American ace Dick Bong, are but a few of the men who contribute to the 49ERS legend. \nFrom their desert air strips of Northwest Territory, Australia, through their jungle camps of New Guinea and the Philippines, to the final moment of victory on the Japanese homeland, all are detailed in this new volume. Derived from the diaries and logs of 49ERS veterans, the groups official USAF history and the U.S. National Archives, the story chronicles more than thirty aces and their crews who achieved over 600 aerial kills in three years of continuous combat.\nThe text is highlighted by more than 600 black and white photos, six compaign maps, and twenty-four color profiles of select P-40s, P-57s, and P-38s.\nS.W. Ferguson lives in Colorado Springs where he has pursued his teaching, writing and art career for the last ten years. His interests are American writers and history of the 20th century, and swift waters that yield trout. \nBill Pascalis is a veteran aircraft mechanic of the 49ERS Selfridge AFB cadre and served through the New Guinea campaign of mid-1943. After the war, he established a long career with Tranworld Airlines. He now lives with his wife in retirement in Florida, enjoying golf, his grandchildren and research in the 5th Air Force archives.
Historian Harry Gailey offers a fresh one-volume treatment of the vast Pacific theater in World War II, examining in detail the performance of Japanese and Allied naval, air, and land forces in every major military operation. The War in the Pacific begins with an examination of events leading up to World War II and compares the Japanese and American economies and societies, as well as the chief combatants' military doctrine, training, war plans, and equipment. The book then chronicles all significant actions - from the early Allied defeats in the Philippines, the East Indies, and New Guinea; through the gradual improvement of the Allied position in the Central and Southwest Pacific regions; to the final agonies of the Japanese people, whose leaders refused to admit defeat until the very end. Gailey gives detailed treatment to much that has been neglected or given only cursory mention in previous surveys. The reader thus gains an unparalleled overview of operations, as well as many fresh insights into the behind-the-scenes bickering between the Allies and the interservice squabbles that dogged MacArthur and Nimitz throughout the war. NOTE: This edition does not include a photo insert.
The first USAAF fighters to engage the Japanese in World War 2, a handful of P-40s rose to defend Pearl Harbor from attack on the morning of 7 December 1941. Warhawk units were also heavily involved in the ill-fated fight to stem invading Japanese forces in the Philippines and Java between December 1941 and April 1942 and again in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands between January 1943 and March 1944. This book examines The Warhawk's wartime exploits and all of its aces including 'aces-in-a-day' Mel Wheadon and Joe Lesika.
William Wolf presents a comprehensive, meticulously researched volume describing the celebrated World War II B-25 Mitchell. The reader is given an inclusive description and appraisal of the bomber's development, testing, manufacture; and then every aspect of the aircraft, its equipment, and crew is described and illustrated in comprehensive detail. Since the Mitchell was renowned for its combat versatility its armament and ordnance are described and depicted at length. This book is truly the "Ultimate Look" at the B-25 and a must for the World War II aviation enthusiast, historian, and modeler.