Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1004474 in Books
• Published on: 1996-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 124 pages

Customer Reviews

Very Informative and Interesting
This book is a must for all interested in the Pacific War. The Zero was Japan's primary fighter throughout the war. It came as a very nasty shock to US fliers and it took awhile to develop tactics to use against it until newer planes (the Hellcat and Corsair) could reach the front lines. Imagine capturing your enemy's best, Top Secret weapon and you can understand the importance of this story.

A lot of the early part of the Pacific War is forgotten or misunderstood by the West. Not many even remember that Japan captured several US islands in the Aleutians (part of Alaska). This is where we found an intact Zero, rebuilt it and flew it against American fighters to learn of the strengths and weaknesses of the Zero. We all know now that it was highly maneuverable, had a good punch and fantastic long range. But, it came at a cost - no self sealing fuel tanks. Heavier US planes learned to slash and dash - dive through Japanese formations and not engage in dogfights.

My favorite part of the book is the last chapter where the actual combat test results are reported - the Zero vs. US fighters and what each type should do to fight and win.

Not a book for modelers, no color plates, but really a great book to have that adds an important part of the early war years while the US struggled to fight outnumbered, with inferior equipment against a very experienced and determined foe.