A6M Zero-sen Aces 1940-42 (Aircraft of the Aces Book 137)

The deployment of the superb A6M Zero-sen fighter gave Japanese naval aviators a significant advantage in the opening years of the Second World War in the Pacific. The aircraft and many of its pilots cut their teeth over China. Following the Hawaiian operation in December 1941, the Zero-sen would be seen in air combat all over the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.This Osprey Aircraft of the Aces Series book follows the deployments of the Zero-sen units, while highlighting the exploits of their best pilots. The text is nicely supported by period photographs and modern illustrations, including color plates of plane types. Maps unfortunately are not included. Of note, pilots claims of aircraft kills are often found to be exaggerated. Also of note, the veteran A6M pilots suffered a ferocious level of attrition over the course of the war. Recommended to students of air combat during the Second World War.

Another excellent issue, on an excellent subject. The data on markings, some understandably conjectural, was also interesting, as was the additional info on some of the other aces and ops. The profiles, and accompanying texts, are also first-rate.On the 'con' side: The author mentioned anti-Western sentiments several times, such as “...racially discriminative prejudice of the colonial era. ', and “...racially discriminating belief in their inferior flying ability”. Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series is the last place I expect, or want, this kind of stuff. So just tell me about Zero Aces, Ok?I agree with the previous commentator's criticisms, by Mr Tillman, also.That said, I can't wait for future volumes.

I enjoyed this Osprey volume as much as I have any of their publications. Nicholas Millman does and exceptional job of detailing the story of the early days of the famous Japanese Navy, A6M Zero-Sen. This book details the inception of the Zero fighter and its testing and entry into service with the Imperial Navy in the skies over China. Mr. Millman clearly covers operations and the aces who flew this amazing and ground breaking aircraft. Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, the East Indies, the carrier battles Coral Sea and Midway receive attention as well. Back tracking in time a bit the 4th Naval Air Group and the famous Tainan Naval Air Group are described in some good detail in their daily fights against Allies forces over the rugged terrain of New Guinea and above Rabaul, New Britain. The profiles of the famous and not so famous Japanese Zero aces are informative and well done. The illustrations by Ronnie Olsthoom are excellent and give a good idea what the famous Zero looked like in the skies over the vast Pacific in 1940 to 1942. This is highly recommended and represents an excellent value for the information contained.

I will give this book five stars for the authors research, photographs, and the color profiles. However, as with some of the other more recent "Aces" books, I'm beginning to find a lot of "repeated information". In other words, we're beginning to re-hash a lot of history here after 142 volumes. But I would still recommend it to anyone who has been collecting the entire set, as I have, and I'm sure I'll re-read it (it WAS very well written) at some point in the future.

Overall, this is a really good book. However, in my opinion, it does not bring much novelty compared to the existing books on the same topic, in particular: "Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces" by Hata, Izawa and Shores, and "The First Team" series by John Lundstrom. Still, it provides a more structured format and focuses mainly on what I consider the peak year of naval aviation (i.e., 1942). Therefore, I would recommend it.

Compared to the amount of information on pilots in the European Theatre of WWII, there seems to be little on pilots from Japan. This book helps fill the void.

Its a very informative book on a subject that isn't usually covered as ww2 histories go, but this is a satisfying read, and just one at that

Great Addition to the Aircraft of the Aces Series Of Books ! Fast Shipping !

Just a good book

Good read, Great price And service, With quite fast delivery, Great items.

One of the most authorative individuals of JNAF fighters

Simplemente perfecto...

one of thee poorest books in this series

pretty good book

Magnífico

筆者はこれまでOspreyのAircraft of the acesシリーズで一式戦「隼」、二式単戦「鍾馗」、三式戦「飛燕」・五式戦、九七式戦と日本戦闘機を扱ってきましたが、代表的戦闘機の零戦については漸くシリーズ終盤に登場となりました。それなりに筆者にも期するところがあったと思います。　さて日中戦争時から第二次大戦終戦まで主力戦闘機であった零戦なので、流石に1巻での収録は不可能な様で本書は時系列的に開発の概要から中国でのデビュー戦で始まり、ガダルカナル戦が始まった処で終わっています。各章を刀の刃に見立てて表現するのも筆者の意気込みの表れかもしれません。Forging the blade;零戦の開発経緯、部隊構成、代表的な空戦戦術（ひねり込み）についての解説　4頁Wielding the blade China 1940-41;中国での戦いに参加した部隊、実際の空戦状況　12頁Thrusting the blade;空母搭載部隊による真珠湾攻撃、セイロン空襲、珊瑚海海戦、ミッドウェー海戦までをカバーしています。　17頁（途中カラー塗装図10頁と捻り込み機動の解説イラスト1頁が挟み込まれています）Slasing blade-across the islands;陸上部隊によるフィリピン空襲と蘭領東インド侵攻戦　12頁Parrying the blade-4th kokutai;ラバウルに展開した部隊のポートモレスビー空襲と、豪州空軍との空戦　8頁Relentless blade-Tainan kokutai;ニューギニアに於ける米陸軍航空隊機との空戦+ガダルカナル戦時の対応状況　15頁空戦には日本軍パイロットばかりでなく、幾つかの部分で相手側の中華民国空軍、米陸軍航空隊、蘭領東インド航空隊、英空軍、英艦隊航空隊、豪州空軍、米陸軍航空隊との戦果、損害を照合するという最近の空戦記のトレンドに沿った内容になっています。　どちらの側も戦果が過剰気味ではあるのは、一般的な傾向ですが印象深かったのは連合軍側のパイロットは撃墜されても生存し再び出撃しているのに対し、日本軍側は被撃墜がほぼ戦死につながってしまう状況で殆ど乗員を消耗品と考えたつけを後年払わされるのも納得できます。最後のニューギニアの部分はOsprey DuelシリーズのP-39/P-400　Airacobra vs A6M2/3 Zerosen :New guinea1942とも重複しますが、空戦の状況に関しては後者の方が密度は濃いと思います。　本文には前述のカラーイラストの他にモノクロ写真多数（日本側パイロットが多く、多くが伊沢保穂氏所蔵のものでした）が添えられています。86頁で零戦32型のエンジン栄21型を二段二速式過給機としていますが一段二速式の間違いです。　割り当てられた頁数の問題かいつもよりも空戦記の密度はやや低い様に思いますが、それでも空戦のアウトラインを掴むにはお勧めできると思います。