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The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
profiles of aircraft which served in the South Pacific theatre.
Volume Seven covers the Douglas C-47, including numerous
derivatives such as the C-53, R4D and DC-3. This was the most
universal aircraft type to appear in the South Pacific and was
deployed from day one to the cessation of hostilities. It was
utilised by every military organisation including eighteen Fifth
and Thirteenth Air Force USAAF squadrons, and also by the USN,
USMC, RAAF, RNZAF, RAF and Dutch Air Force. Most profiles are
presented for the first time, alongside a full explanation of the
markings. Frequent trading of airframes between units resulted in
wide-ranging heraldry, unit markings and nose art. In particular
until now there has been a paucity of information about the
markings of Thirteenth Air Force C-47s and USMC R4Ds, a gap largely
filled by this volume. This volume illustrates the development of
unit markings from the first commandeered DC-3 airliners in
Australia through to the RNZAF C-47s used in the last days of the
Pacific War in the Solomons. The profiles are accompanied by unit
histories and photos. A wide range of reference material has been
consulted including photos, colour movies, official records,
diaries and information from wreck sites. The author, Michael
Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air
war. Never before have such meticulous colour profiles of the C-47
series been illustrated with such detailed and accurate markings.
Any USAAF pilot who flew the mission to Hollandia on the fateful
afternoon of 16 April 1944 in New Guinea would remember it for the
rest of their lives. So would anyone else in the theatre, for the
weather-related losses that fateful day earned it the eternal
epithet “Black Sunday”. The way home for more than three
hundred bombers and fighters was blocked by a towering weather
front whose thunderstorms rose well above any altitude they could
reach. Over enemy territory and caught between mountains and the
sea, there was no option but to confront nature. By dusk that
evening 37 aircraft were missing or had been destroyed. A handful
of survivors somehow made it back to valley and coastal bases in a
series of arduous misadventures. It was, and remains, the biggest
non-combat loss of any air force of any nation in the world. More
than seven decades later, aircraft from the day are still missing
somewhere in the New Guinea jungle. This major revision to the
original version includes dozens of rare photos, complemented by a
suite of maps, indexes, and colour profiles of participant
aircraft. Japanese diaries reveal the fate of unlucky P-38 pilots
forced to bail out. The text liberally cites veteran interviews,
post-war wreck surveys and official USAAF records. The narrative
tracks down the fate of every aircraft and every crew member,
including those who rescued them. Put yourself in the cockpit
against nature’s massive odds over hostile terrain and watch a
composite picture evolve. The accelerating narrative from dozens of
different perspectives is both fascinating and overwhelming.
This first volume of Solomons Air War chronicles aerial warfare in
the opening phase of the war in the Solomons Islands theatre, being
the critical period of August-September 1942. After occupying the
Solomon Islands capital of Tulagi with ease in May 1942, the
Imperial Japanese Navy commenced building an airfield on the
adjacent island of Guadalcanal. The indispensable airfield was over
600 miles distant from their main base of Rabaul and promised to
extend the reach of their aircraft into the Allied occupied island
chains of Fiji, the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. Much was at
stake and the airfield would be held at all costs. Then, in early
August 1942 a bold American invasion of both Tulagi and Guadalcanal
caught the IJN completely off guard. Nevertheless, Japanese air
power responded swiftly and in some cases desperately. So began the
knife-edge struggle for Guadalcanal. An ever-increasing variety and
number of IJN units was poured into the struggle, met initially
with USN carrier-based Wildcats backed up by SBD Dauntless
dive-bombers and the new TBF torpedo bomber. These were soon joined
by USAAF fighters operating from the newly operational Henderson
Field. From late August, Japanese carriers entered the fight,
adding more complexity to the intense and frenzied air battles. For
the first time belligerents are closely matched and the rationale
of the IJN’s sometimes erratic response is explained. The full
extent of both Japanese and US involvement is outlined to a level
of detail never before presented.
The ongoing Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
profiles of aircraft which served throughout the South Pacific.
Volume 10 covers the P-47D Thunderbolt which flew combat missions
in the New Guinea theatre until mid-1945, serving with a total of
eleven Fifth Air Force USAAF combat squadrons, Fifth Fighter
Command and the Combat Replacement Training Center. Most profiles
are presented for the first time, alongside an explanation of
markings, including squadron heraldry and identifiers. Frequent
airframe reassignments between units resulted in wide-ranging unit
markings and nose art. Until now there has been a paucity of
material about several units, especially those which entered the
theatre after the infamous 348th Fighter Group. This volume also
rectifies past misidentifications resulting from the widespread
practice of swapping attractively decorated cowls, often
commissioned for generous reward. Each profile is supported by
photos and/or documentation, along with a brief aircraft history.
Wide- ranging primary reference material is cited including
official squadron records, colour movies, maintenance logs,
diaries, wreck site inspections and multifarious reference photos
including colour slides. A brief summary history of each unit and
the rationale of its markings completes the text. The author is
world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before
have Pacific P-47s been illustrated with such colourful accuracy
and detail.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
profiles of aircraft which served throughout the South Pacific.
Volume Nine covers the P-38 and variants including the
photo-reconnaissance F-4 and F-5, along with field-modified P-38G
night-fighters. The P-38 flew combat in the SWPA and SOPAC theatres
until mid-1944, serving a total of nineteen Fifth and Thirteenth
Air Force USAAF combat Squadrons, one service squadron, Fifth
Fighter Command, and finally with the Combat Replacement Training
Center at Nadzab. Most profiles are presented for the first time,
alongside an explanation of markings, including squadron heraldry
and squadron codes. Until now there has been a paucity of accurate
information about some markings, especially those which attend the
Thirteenth Air Force, night-fighter and photo-reconnaissance units.
Each profile has been produced by citing wide-ranging reference
material, including official squadron records, colour movies,
maintenance logs, diaries, wreck site inspections and thousands of
photos including colour slides. A brief summary history of each
unit and the rationale of its markings completes the text. The
author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on
the Pacific air war. Never before have Pacific P-38s and their
colourful derivatives been illustrated with such accuracy and
detail.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
profiles of aircraft which served in the South Pacific theatre.
Volume Six covers a dozen USAAF Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force
squadrons which operated the Bell P-39 and P-400 Airacobra from
April 1942 until March 1944. They were used in a variety of roles
including as fighters, dive-bombers and strafers. The wide-ranging
colourful heraldry and nose art of Fifth Air Force Airacobras is
partly explained by the frequent trading of particular airframes
between units. Until now there has been a paucity of information
about the markings of Thirteenth Air Force Airacobras, and this
volume fills much of this wide gap. The first and last Airacobras
lost in the theatre are illustrated, along with rare markings of a
night fighter and a P-39 used by Fifth Fighter Command. This volume
includes the early P-400s through to the P-39D/F/Ks and then the
late model P-39N/Qs. The development of markings for each squadron
is explained, together with brief squadron histories accompanied
with supporting photos. A wide range of reference material was
consulted including many rare photos, colour movies, official
records, diaries and photos from wreck sites. The author, Michael
Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air
war. Never before have such meticulous colour profiles been
illustrated with a full explanation of their markings.
This volume chronicles aerial warfare in the South Pacific from
December 1941 until March 1942, durign which air operations by both
sides became a daily occurrence. As Imperial Japanese Navy flying
boats and land-based bombers penetrated over vast distances, a few
under-strength squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force put up a
spirited fight. However it was the supreme power of aircraft
carriers that had the biggest impact. Four Japanese fleet carriers
facilitated the capture of Rabaul over a devastating four-day
period in January 1942. The following month, the USS Lexington's
fighter squadron VF-3 scored one of the most one-sided victories of
the entire Pacific War. By March 1942 the Japanese had landed on
mainland New Guinea, and the scene was set for a race to control
Port Moresby. This is the full story of both sides of an air war
that could have been won by either incumbent, but for timing,
crucial decisions and luck.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
profiles to date of aircraft which served in the Pacific theatre.
Volume Four focuses on the US Navy, US Marine Corps and RNZAF
squadrons which operated land based F4U series Corsair fighters
throughout the Solomons theatre from February 1943 onwards. The
distinctive markings schemes, unit heraldry and nose art varied
considerably between models and squadrons, the latter of which
developed their own particular markings themes and patterns. This
volume illustrates the precise markings of each Corsair squadron,
from the early "birdcage" F4U-1 series through to the later F4U-1A
"bubble" canopy models. Each profile is accompanied by supporting
photos along with a brief history of the aircraft. A wide range of
reference material was sourced to illustrate each profile,
including colour movie film, post-war wreck surveys, official
records, diaries and hundreds of photos. The author, Michael John
Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on both the Allied
and Japanese sides of the Pacific theatre. Never before have such
meticulous colour profiles of the Corsair family been illustrated
so accurately, and with such attendant detail.
This Volume Four of Pacific Adversaries conveys detailed stories of
aerial warfare in the Solomons theatre, chosen because both
Japanese and Allied records can be matched for an accurate
accounting. Often the actual outcomes are very different to the
exaggerated claims made by both sides as outlined in most
traditional histories. In some cases, this factual approach enables
long-standing mysteries to be solved. Further, for each chosen
story photographic or other evidence enables accurate depictions of
the aircraft involved. Through these chosen snapshots, Pacific
Adversaries portrays the South Pacific conflict as accurately as
possible. This fourth volume focuses exclusively on confrontations
between the Japanese Naval Air Force (JNAF) and Allied air power in
the Solomons theatre between 1943 and 1944. Following the bloody
1942 Guadalcanal campaign, the JNAF fought a largely defensive war
in the Solomons against gathering Allied forces. Perhaps
surprisingly, right through to the end of 1943, the JNAF offered
significant resistance to the Allies and never ceded air
superiority in the vicinity of its key base of Rabaul. Only in
1944, when units were withdrawn to the Central Pacific and the
Philippines, was the JNAF presence in the South Pacific finally
wound down to just a token force. Never before have detailed
accounts matched up adversaries so closely, and in doing so, shine
light on key events in Pacific skies so many years ago.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
aircraft profiles to date of Japanese & Allied aircraft in the
Pacific theatre. 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 theatre, 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 colour 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.
This is the illustrated diary of Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane
pilot Warrant Officer Nemoto Kumesako, dating from the early months
of the Pacific War. His recollections offer an intimate perspective
into his life, along with insights into Japanese thinking of the
times. Unusually, these memoirs are presented in a style consistent
with the Japanese manga (illustrated cartoon) format. The curious
floatplanes of the time, some of which verge on the steampunk, come
to life with the author's uncanny sense of humour. Nemoto defies
every stereotype of the Samurai warrior, for his diary betrays
coveted romanticism. Although an exceptional character, he was
certainly a man of his times. Not particularly close to his
comrades, Nemoto prided himself in his worldly credentials. For
example, he read Tolstoy's War& Peace in German between
missions. Nemoto's writing style, cultivated and matter of fact, is
tinged with insight and assurance. He never envisaged it would wind
up in the wrong hands, and for this reason the reader will savour
its frankness and insights. Michael Claringbould is a globally
renown Pacific War author. This is his first attempt at getting
away from conventional formats, instead producing an entertaining
hybrid tale, garishly illustrated yet historically accurate. Its
humorous format is also guaranteed to tell readers many things
about this fascinating period they did not know.
Volume Five of this Pacific Profiles series presents the most
accurate colour profiles to date of Japanese Navy land based Zero
fighters in the "South Seas" theatre: New Guinea, Rabaul and the
Solomons. Illustrated by unit are abundant examples of the varied
markings, tail codes, leadership hallmarks and camouflage schemes
which appeared on the thirteen Air Groups (Kokutai) operating in
the theatre from February 1942 to February 1944. Each of the 113
profiles is supported by primary source material including colour
photos, Japanese records, POW interrogations, technical reports,
post-war wreck examinations and Allied intelligence summaries.
These are accompanied by brief histories of each unit and notes on
the changing nature of each unit’s markings. How the late 1942
Japanese Navy restructure impacted these units is also clarified,
along with the rationale and meaning of the ensuing multifaceted
markings systems. Never before have such accurate profiles been
presented. Past errors are corrected, and many new markings
including hokoku (patriotic) Kanji are presented for the first
time. The author is world-renown for his expertise in respect to
the Japanese aerial war in the Pacific.
Volume Four chronicles aerial warfare in the South Pacific in the
critical period between 19 June and 8 September 1942. It can be
read alone or as a continuation of the first three volumes that
spanned the first six months of the Pacific War, culminating in the
Battle of the Coral Sea. Unlike the previous three volumes, no
aircraft carriers appeared in New Guinea waters. Instead, the air
war was fought solely by land-based air units. This was in the face
of an increasingly complex strategic situation that saw the
Japanese land at both Buna and Milne Bay. For the first time,
airpower in the theatre was tasked to support the land forces of
both sides which became engaged in a bloody struggle in the
mountains of Papua and then the narrow muddy quagmire of Milne Bay.
Two veteran Japanese air groups, the Tainan and No. 4 Kokutai,
continued their Herculean struggle against mounting Allied
opposition. In the face of continued attrition, Japanese pilots had
many notable successes including several coveted aerial victories
against B-17s. Then, from August a plethora of fresh Japanese units
arrived in theatre including the No. 2, No. 6, Chitose, Misawa and
Kisarazu Kokutai. USAAF P-39s and RAAF P-40Es responded with low
level close support missions and B-25s, B-26s and B-17s ramped up
an unrelenting bombing campaign. Towards the end of the period
A-20A strafers made their combat debut, portending a radical
blueprint for future attack tactics in the theatre. Never before
has this campaign been chronicled in such detail, with Allied
accounts matched against Japanese records for a truly factual
account of the conflict.
Volume Five of this series chronicles aerial warfare primarily in
the New Guinea theatre in the critical period between September and
December 1942. It can be read alone or as a continuation of the
previous four volumes which span the first nine months of the
Pacific War. By early September the strategic picture in the
theatre had changed markedly within just six weeks. From their new
Buna beachhead the Japanese Army commenced a Papuan mountain
campaign which threatened the Allied bastion of Port Moresby.
Meanwhile the battle for Guadalcanal was raging, with the outcome
of the wider Pacific War in the balance. Against this background a
strengthened US Fifth Air Force took the fight to the IJA with
direct air support. While this was being conducted by P-39s,
P-40Es, A-20As and B-25s, raids by B-17s against Rabaul aided US
forces in the neighbouring Solomons. RAAF Beaufighters, Beauforts,
Bostons and Hudsons also contributed substantially to these
efforts. At Rabaul a wide variety of fresh IJN fighter and bomber
units poured in the theatre, although these became focused mainly
on the Solomons. Such were the massive losses experienced, by
November the IJN undertook a complete operational and
administrative reorganisation of its air power. Then, despite a
strong reluctance to become involved, the IJA sent an advance
reconnaissance detachment to Rabaul, the forerunner of major
reinforcements that would arrive in December. Never before has this
campaign been chronicled in such detail, with Allied and Japanese
accounts matched together for a truly factual account of the
conflict.
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII
aircraft profiles to date of Japanese & Allied aircraft in the
Pacific theatre. 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 theatre 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 colour, 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.
This Volume Two of Pacific Adversaries conveys detailed stories of
aerial warfare in the South Pacific, chosen because both Japanese
and Allied records can be matched for an accurate accounting. Often
the actual outcomes are very different to the exaggerated claims
made by both sides upon which many traditional histories have
relied to date. Further, for each of the chosen stories
photographic or other evidence enables an accurate depiction of the
aircraft involved. Through these chosen snapshots, Pacific
Adversaries will portray the South Pacific conflict as accurately
as possible. This second volume focuses exclusively on
confrontations with the Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) in New
Guinea and the Solomons, known to the Japanese as the "South Seas".
The JNAF first appeared in the South Pacific in December 1941 and
was at the vanguard of offensive efforts during the course of 1942.
Following the bloody Guadalcanal campaign, the JNAF fought a
largely defensive war in New Guinea and the Solomons against
increasingly powerful Allied forces. Perhaps surprisingly, right
through to the end of 1943 the JNAF offered significant resistance
to the Allies and never ceded air superiority in the vicinity of
its key base of Rabaul. Only in 1944, when units were withdrawn to
the Central Pacific and the Philippines, was the JNAF presence in
the South Pacific finally wound down to just a token force. Never
before have detailed accounts matched up adversaries so closely and
in doing so shine light on key events in Pacific skies so many
years ago.
This Volume Three of Pacific Adversaries conveys detailed stories
of aerial warfare in the South Pacific, chosen because both
Japanese and Allied records can be matched for an accurate
accounting. Often the actual outcomes are very different to the
exaggerated claims made by both sides upon which many traditional
histories have relied to date. Further, for each of the chosen
stories photographic or other evidence enables an accurate
depiction of the aircraft involved. Through these chosen snapshots,
Pacific Adversaries will portray the South Pacific conflict as
accurately as possible. This third volume focuses exclusively on
confrontations with the Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) in New
Guinea and the Solomons, known to the Japanese as the “South
Seas”. The JNAF first appeared in the South Pacific in December
1941 and was at the vanguard of offensive efforts during the course
of 1942. Following the bloody Guadalcanal campaign, the JNAF fought
a largely defensive war in New Guinea and the Solomons against
increasingly powerful Allied forces. Perhaps surprisingly, right
through to the end of 1943 the JNAF offered significant resistance
to the Allies and never ceded air superiority in the vicinity of
its key base of Rabaul. Only in 1944, when units were withdrawn to
the Central Pacific and the Philippines, was the JNAF presence in
the South Pacific finally wound down to just a token force. Never
before have detailed accounts matched up adversaries so closely and
in doing so shine light on key events in Pacific skies so many
years ago.
This volume conveys detailed stories of aerial warfare in the South
Pacific, chosen because both Japanese and Allied records can be
matched for an accurate accounting. Often the actual outcomes are
very different to the exaggerated claims made by both sides upon
which many traditional histories have relied to date. Further, for
each of the chosen stories photographic or other evidence enables
an accurate depiction of the aircraft involved. Through these
chosen snapshots Pacific Adversaries portrays the South Pacific
conflict as accurately as possible. This first volume describes
confrontations between the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) and the
Allies in New Guinea and the Solomons. JAAF units first arrived in
the South Pacific in December 1942 and effectively ceased
operations in mainland New Guinea in April 1944. Theirs is a rich
and colourful history about which many myths persist. Perhaps the
biggest is that their Allied counterparts thought they were mainly
fighting "Zeros", a falsehood still published and accepted to this
day. In New Guinea the Allies ratcheted up a grueling, coordinated
and unrelenting campaign, destroying most JAAF air power on the
ground, not in the air. Their assault against Wewak's key bases
involved an interwoven and complex strategy which eventually
overpowered the Japanese. Never before have detailed accounts
matched up adversaries so closely and in doing so shine light on
key events in Pacific skies so many years ago.
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