Publisher: Osprey
Series: Aircraft of the Aces #85
Author: Hiroshi Ichimura
ISBN: 978 1 84603 408 4
Series: Aircraft of the Aces #85
Author: Hiroshi Ichimura
ISBN: 978 1 84603 408 4
96 pages, numerous black and white photos, 7 pages of color illustrations
In general I have found that the Osprey Publications books can be hit or miss depending upon your interests and the particular
subject matter of the volume involved. Some of them are great. (See the previous review on the
Osprey book on the 4th FG .) Others are not so good.
However, I can say that, without a doubt this volume is one of the best of any of the Osprey publications. I couldn’t put it down. The author does a great job in telling the stories of the different aces who flew the Ki-43 at some point in their careers, with particular emphasis on aces who got all or the vast majority of their kills in the Ki-43.
The book starts with an overview of the aircraft itself. When the Ki-43 was first going thru design and testing it was not immediately a hit with the pilots of the JAAF. They had been use to flying the ultra-maneuverable Ki-27 and found the Ki-43 too heavy. The designers came up with the distinctive “butterfly” flaps and worked hard to lighten the aircraft as much as possible. This emphasis on lightening led to some early models shedding their wings. The Ki-43 was introduced to service just before the outbreak of WWII in the Pacific.
The bulk of the book describes the use of the Ki-43 in different theatres, starting in the Burma, Singapore, Malaya area. This is where the Ki-43 got its introduction to combat. The most famous of the Ki-43 aces, Kato and Nakamura started building their scores in Malaya. The book then moves from theatre to theatre describing the units that used the Oscar in each, and discussing the aces in those units. In addition to Burma, Singapore and Malaya, the Ki-43 was also used in China, the Southwest Pacific, Philippines and the Home Islands. Numerous descriptions of combats involving the Oscar make up large portions of the text.
As with all of the Osprey books, the center section contains color side views of many of the aircraft of the aces discussed in the text. The illustrations, though of the left side of the aircraft only, provide the modeler with inspiration for numerous builds. The book is 96 pages with numerous black and white photos and 7 pages of color illustrations.
I can recommend this book without reservation.
Reviewed by D.M. Knights IPMS/USA #17656, IPMS Canada C6091
However, I can say that, without a doubt this volume is one of the best of any of the Osprey publications. I couldn’t put it down. The author does a great job in telling the stories of the different aces who flew the Ki-43 at some point in their careers, with particular emphasis on aces who got all or the vast majority of their kills in the Ki-43.
The book starts with an overview of the aircraft itself. When the Ki-43 was first going thru design and testing it was not immediately a hit with the pilots of the JAAF. They had been use to flying the ultra-maneuverable Ki-27 and found the Ki-43 too heavy. The designers came up with the distinctive “butterfly” flaps and worked hard to lighten the aircraft as much as possible. This emphasis on lightening led to some early models shedding their wings. The Ki-43 was introduced to service just before the outbreak of WWII in the Pacific.
The bulk of the book describes the use of the Ki-43 in different theatres, starting in the Burma, Singapore, Malaya area. This is where the Ki-43 got its introduction to combat. The most famous of the Ki-43 aces, Kato and Nakamura started building their scores in Malaya. The book then moves from theatre to theatre describing the units that used the Oscar in each, and discussing the aces in those units. In addition to Burma, Singapore and Malaya, the Ki-43 was also used in China, the Southwest Pacific, Philippines and the Home Islands. Numerous descriptions of combats involving the Oscar make up large portions of the text.
As with all of the Osprey books, the center section contains color side views of many of the aircraft of the aces discussed in the text. The illustrations, though of the left side of the aircraft only, provide the modeler with inspiration for numerous builds. The book is 96 pages with numerous black and white photos and 7 pages of color illustrations.
I can recommend this book without reservation.
Reviewed by D.M. Knights IPMS/USA #17656, IPMS Canada C6091