P-47D Thunderbolt vs Ki-43-II Oscar

P-47D Thunderbolt vs Ki-43-II Oscar PDF Author: Michael John Claringbould
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472840925
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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Book Description
Although New Guinea's Thunderbolt pilots faced several different types of enemy aircraft in capricious tropical conditions, by far their most common adversary was the Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa, codenamed 'Oscar' by the Allies. These two opposing fighters were the products of two radically different design philosophies. The Thunderbolt was heavy, fast and packed a massive punch thanks to its battery of eight 0.50-cal machine guns, while the 'Oscar' was the complete opposite in respect to fighter design philosophy – lightweight, nimble, manoeuvrable and lightly armed. It was, nonetheless, deadly in the hands of an experienced pilot. The Thunderbolt commenced operations in New Guinea with a series of bomber escort missions in mid-1943, and its firepower and superior speed soon saw Fifth Air Force fighter command deploying elite groups of P-47s to Wewak, on the northern coast. Flying from there, they would pick off unwary enemy aircraft during dedicated fighter patrols. The Thunderbolt pilots in New Guinea slowly wore down their Japanese counterparts by continual combat and deadly strafing attacks, but nevertheless, the Ki-43-II remained a worthy opponent deterrent up until Hollandia was abandoned by the IJAAF in April 1944. Fully illustrated throughout with artwork and rare photographs, this fascinating book examines these two vastly different fighters in the New Guinea theatre, and assesses the unique geographic conditions that shaped their deployment and effectiveness.

P-47D Thunderbolt vs Ki-43-II Oscar

P-47D Thunderbolt vs Ki-43-II Oscar PDF Author: Michael John Claringbould
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472840925
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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Book Description
Although New Guinea's Thunderbolt pilots faced several different types of enemy aircraft in capricious tropical conditions, by far their most common adversary was the Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa, codenamed 'Oscar' by the Allies. These two opposing fighters were the products of two radically different design philosophies. The Thunderbolt was heavy, fast and packed a massive punch thanks to its battery of eight 0.50-cal machine guns, while the 'Oscar' was the complete opposite in respect to fighter design philosophy – lightweight, nimble, manoeuvrable and lightly armed. It was, nonetheless, deadly in the hands of an experienced pilot. The Thunderbolt commenced operations in New Guinea with a series of bomber escort missions in mid-1943, and its firepower and superior speed soon saw Fifth Air Force fighter command deploying elite groups of P-47s to Wewak, on the northern coast. Flying from there, they would pick off unwary enemy aircraft during dedicated fighter patrols. The Thunderbolt pilots in New Guinea slowly wore down their Japanese counterparts by continual combat and deadly strafing attacks, but nevertheless, the Ki-43-II remained a worthy opponent deterrent up until Hollandia was abandoned by the IJAAF in April 1944. Fully illustrated throughout with artwork and rare photographs, this fascinating book examines these two vastly different fighters in the New Guinea theatre, and assesses the unique geographic conditions that shaped their deployment and effectiveness.

Nakajima Ki-49 ‘Helen’ Units

Nakajima Ki-49 ‘Helen’ Units PDF Author: George Eleftheriou
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472854500
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
A fully illustrated study of the Nakajima Ki49 'Helen', the twin-engined bomber of the Pacific War, from Japanese aviation expert George Eleftheriou. The Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu ('Dragon Eater'), codenamed 'Helen' by the Allies, was a twin-engined Japanese bomber designed to undertake daylight attacks without the protection of escort fighters. Consequently, while it was officially known as the Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber, its formidable defensive armament and armour were so heavy that they restricted the Ki-49 to payloads comparable to those of smaller medium bombers. While only five heavy bomber sentai (regiments) were equipped with the 'Helen', the over 800 Ki-49s built between 1941 and 1944 saw extensive action in Burma, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, northern India and north Australia. In an act of desperation, a small number of 'Helens' were even employed, unsuccessfully, as kamikaze aircraft against US Navy warships operating off the Philippines and Okinawa. In this fascinating book, George Eleftheriou provides a comprehensive account of the units that saw action flying the 'Helen', based on original Japanese sources. Also featuring high-quality photographs never published before, specially commissioned colour profile artwork, official unit histories and veteran accounts, this title is a must-have for Japanese aircraft enthusiasts.

B-24 Liberator vs Ki-43 Oscar

B-24 Liberator vs Ki-43 Oscar PDF Author: Edward M. Young
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780963947
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 173

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Book Description
In reviewing reports of air combat from Spain, China and the early stages of the war in Europe, the US Army Air Corps called for heavier armor and armament for its bomber fleet, including the addition of a tail turret. While Japan tried to counter with their own heavy fighters, their inability to produce them in any number meant that they were forced to face the bomber threat with the nimble, but under–armed Ki-43 “Oscar”. While severely outgunned, the Japanese learned to use their greater maneuverability to exploit the small weakness in bomber defenses. This book tells the story of the clash in the skies over the Pacific, as the Japanese fought desperately against the coming tide of the American bomber offensive.

Ki-43 ‘Oscar’ Aces of World War 2

Ki-43 ‘Oscar’ Aces of World War 2 PDF Author: Hiroshi Ichimura
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1846038618
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
Accompanied by detailed appendices and specially commissioned artwork, this book is the definitive account of the experiences of Ki-43 aces. Dubbed the 'Oscar' by the Allies, the Ki-43 Hayabusa Peregrine was the most prolific Japanese fighter of World War 2. Designed for manoeuverability and speed, the low-wing model meant that firepower and safety had to be sacrificed, with only two machine guns per plane. Despite this, more Japanese pilots achieved Ace status flying the Hayabusa than any other plane. This book expertly charts the experiences of the pilots and discusses the early stages of the war in South-East Asia, China, Burma and New Guinea. Accompanied by detailed appendices and specially commissioned artwork, this is the first volume in English to focus exclusively on the exploits of the Ki-43.

War in Pacific Skies

War in Pacific Skies PDF Author: Charlie Cooper
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA
ISBN: 1610601211
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
Paintings by the renowned aviation artist plus “lots of wartime photographs and plenty of entertaining and informative text. . . . absorbing reading” (Aviation History). Climb in to the cockpit of some of America’s most heralded warbirds, like the P-38 that carried Richard Bong to his forty kills, and fly along with Paul Tibitts in the Enola Gay as it makes its final approach on Hiroshima. This lavishly illustrated book covers the most famous air engagements in World War II’s Pacific Theater of Operation in an exquisite and beautiful fusion of art and history. Paintings by acclaimed aviation artist Jack Fellows are supplemented by color maps, previously unpublished photographs, original artwork, and personal accounts.

P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony

P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony PDF Author: Donald Nijboer
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781846039430
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The air war in the South Pacific was unique and very different from other major air operations undertaken during World War II. In no theater was air power more central to success than in the South Pacific. The objective of every major strategic move was to seize an air base. The air power employed was the most complex technology available, and, ironically, it was employed over some of the most brutal, primitive and largely unknown terrain in the world. Much has been written about the major battles such as Pearl Harbor, Midway, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, but very little focus has been paid to the vital battles that took place in New Guinea and the Solomons. When hostilities in New Guinea began, Japan possessed an advantage in air strength, but as American and Australian strength grew, the Japanese air arm suffered complete and utter defeat from which it would never recover. Two of the aircraft that would see frequent combat in the New Guinea campaign were the Ki-61 Tony and P-38 Lightning. The Ki-61 represented the rare occasion when Germany and Japan cooperated in a technical field. Using the license built German DB 601A engine, which powered the Bf 109E, production of the Ki-61 began in August 1942, and the plane first flew a few weeks after Pearl Harbor. On the other hand, the P-38 was already in service (albeit in small numbers). Its speed, firepower and range made it a formidable opponent, and one for which the Japanese never had an answer; the P-38 was ultimately credited with destroying more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF fighter. While the Ki-61 was well armed with two heavy machine guns and two German 20mm cannons, it was not quite a match for the P-38, but the differences were slight and in a dogfight it often came down to the skill and even luck of the pilot at the controls. This title explores the design and development, technical specifications, strategies, combatants, and statistics of each of these two aircraft, complete with extensive photographs and specially commissioned artwork.

A-26 Invader Units of World War 2

A-26 Invader Units of World War 2 PDF Author: Jim Roeder
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 147280029X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Designed to combine the bombing capability of the B-26 Marauder with the versatility of the ground-attack A-20 Havoc, the A-26 Invader would become the USAAF's attack bomber par excellence. Capable of flying low-level strafing or conventional bombing missions by simply changing the nose configuration of the aircraft, the Invader first saw action in 1943 in the Pacific Theatre attacking Japanese-held islands. Arriving in Europe several months later, the A-26 served with distinction for the remainder of World War 2. In fact, the design proved so successful that it would go on to fly combat missions for a further two decades. Illustrated with brand-new colour profiles and rare photography, this is the first book to focus exclusively on the A-26's missions in World War 2.

P-39/P-400 Airacobra Vs A6M2/3 Zero-sen

P-39/P-400 Airacobra Vs A6M2/3 Zero-sen PDF Author: Michael John Claringbould
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472823664
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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Book Description
This fully illustrated study describes how American Airacobras pilots battled against the Japanese Zero pilots over extreme tropical conditions in remote New Guinea in the months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Air Force Combat Units of World War II

Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF Author: Maurer Maurer
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428915850
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 520

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Book Description


Flying Warbirds

Flying Warbirds PDF Author: Cory Graff
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA
ISBN: 1627884955
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
Features some of the most iconic aircraft surviving today, including the North American P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109, and more. Do you want to get an up-close look at some of the rarest airplanes in the world? Are you curious about combat aircraft from World War II? Flying Warbirds brings US, British, German, Russian and Japanese fighting planes from the 1930s and 1940s together, complete with detailed photographs to delight every aeronautics connoisseur. The airplanes at the Flying Heritage Collection were created at a time when aeronautical discovery had evolved to aviation mastery. Finely crafted by distinguished design bureaus with the leading technologies of the 1930s and 1940s, the main emphasis of the collection includes combat aircraft from World War II. In 1998, Paul G. Allen began acquiring and preserving these iconic warriors and workhorses, many of which are the last of their kind. Allen’s passion for aviation and history, and his awareness of the increasing rarity of original WWII aircraft, motivated him to restore these artifacts to the highest standard of authenticity. Periodically, one or more of the exhibits are temporarily absent to participate in an event, for maintenance, or for continuing restoration. Experience one of the world’s top airplane collections any time you like through Flying Warbirds. Photographs include cockpit shots, exterior museum shots, historic photographs, and breathtaking contemporary flying shots from photographers like award-winning John Dibbs. Flying Warbirds is the definitive guide to everything you want to know about this fascinating period in aeronautics and military history.