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Military history book: "A Postcard History of Japanese Aviation..."
from 1910 to 1945." By Edward Young. Schiffer Publications. ISBN: 978-0-7643-4039-0.
Most excellent and unusual esoteric book. Collection and description of postcards of Japanese (Army & Navy) planes, from pre-WW1 though WW2. Many photos I have never seen before. Vast collection of all plane types. A good glimpse into the development of air power in Japan.
The Zeros were formidable and capable aircraft in WWII. My Dad was on a destroyer under Halsey and saw many aerial fights but the most frightening experience he said he saw were the kamikaze attacks on the carriers. His tin can was never attacked but the carriers were sitting ducks.
It is an interesting book. Might have to look into it.
The Zero was an excellent fighter but you need excellent pilots to fly it. The war chewed up experienced pilots fast and it proved to be difficult to train replacements that were capable. Hence the famous Marianas Turkey Shoot.
At this year's S2K Days, in Fredericksburg, TX, I visited the National Museum of the Pacific War. They have one of only eighty-four Rex float planes ever built on display. It is not clear what the Japanese called it, it was dubbed the Rex by U.S. Forces. The design came to be before the advent of Japanese aircraft carriers. It had impressive performance despite it's bulky looks.
I believe the land-based version (George) was an equal competitor to the F6F Hellcat and the P47D Thunderbolt --- in the hands of experienced pilots. High landing and stall speeds made this plane a handful, for the inexperienced.
Military history book: "A Postcard History of Japanese Aviation..."
