A6M Reisen Zeke

Published on
March 2, 2021
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
Dariusz Paduch
ISBN
9788366673014
Other Publication Information
Paperback, 130 pages, 11.7X 8.3 inches, English Language
MSRP
$28.95
Product / Stock #
3072
Company: Kagero Publishing - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Casemate UK - Website: Visit Site
Product Picture

From the website – An Overview: The result of years of experimentation by the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Mitsubishi A6M Reisen is perhaps the best know Japanese World War II fighter type. The Zero, or “Zeke”, in official Allied reporting, saw action in practically all battles waged by the Imperial Japanese Navy, from the attack on Pearl Harbor all the way through the defense of the Home Islands against the B-29s. During the first months of the war in the Pacific the Zero emerged as a world-class fighter, unrivaled in the air by anything the enemy could muster. However, with no worthy successor in sight, by 1943 the Zero was all but obsolete. Despite that, Japanese factories continue to build and deliver the type until the end of the war.”

This publication is one of many in Kagaro’s “Monographs” series of excellent books, each about a specific aircraft. Each publication in this series provides detailed historical information about the subject aircraft. A list of this information is extensive, including the origins of the aircraft’s design, a technical description of the variants of the aircraft as it was modified, and a combat history of the aircraft. Each publication contains hundreds of photographs. Further, there are excellent full-color drawings as seen from either side, front, read, top and bottom. There is an extensive collection of line drawings from the same viewpoints as the color drawings. Further, there are line drawings of shows the surface detail of the fuselage, wings, and tail. Included in the list of line drawings are an excellent drawing of the instrument panel of an A6M2, the Nakajima NK1C 12 radial engine and a Sumitomo constant speed 3-blade propeller.

While there is not a “traditional” Table of Contents page, a short list of topics covered in this book will show that the coverage of the “Reisen” Zeke is extensive.

  • Expansion of the Imperial Japanese Navy carrier aviation post World War I
  • First Japanese carrier-based fighter aircraft
  • The road to “Reisen” – Nakajima carrier-based fighters
  • The road to “Reisen” – Failed projects
  • The road to “Reisen” – two-seat carrier fighters
  • The road to “Reisen” – Mitsubishi A5M Claude
  • Dawn of modernity
  • The legend is born
  • From design to pre-production machines
  • Dark clouds over Zero
  • Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 11
  • Entry into service and combat debut
  • Zero on floats
  • Mitsubishi A6M designation system
  • List of common names an abbreviations

These topics cover 79 pages. Included with the text related to each topic are black and white photographs. There is a brief list of archival sources and bibliography on page 80.

The remainder of the (20+) pages are filled with the superb line drawings and color profiles previously mentioned.

The content of this impressive publication is a treasure chest of data for the scale modeler as well as the aviation historian. The book is clearly written and is a very interesting “read”. The quality of the text, pictures and artwork is outstanding.

Conclusion

Highly recommended!

The artwork is exceptional, and is especially useful to modelers, as is the amount of detail shown on the color profiles and line drawings. Thanks to Casemate/Kagero for providing this publication for review by IPMS/USA

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