Hellcat vs Shiden/Shiden-Kai: Pacific Theater 1944-45

Description

By the early months of 1944 in the Pacific, the US Navy's burgeoning force of carrier-based F6F-3/5 Hellcats had pretty much wiped the skies clear of Japanese fighters during a series of one-sided aerial engagements. However, starting in October they faced the superb Kawanishi N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai, a formidable fighter with improved armament, a powerful engine and excellent manoeuvrability that in contrast to earlier Japanese fighters had the ability to withstand a greater degree of battle damage. Japanese pilots using this aircraft would claim more than 170 aerial victories over Kyushu and whilst escorting Kamikazes attacking Allied ships off Okinawa. US Navy Hellcat pilots in turn were credited with many of the scores of Shiden-Kais that were downed attempting to defend Japan. This fully illustrated book compares these two fascinating aircraft, using specially commissioned artwork, first-hand accounts and a thorough technical analysis.

Osprey's Aviation Editor since 1989, Tony Holmes is a native of Fremantle, Western Australia. Responsible for devising the Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft, Aviation Elite Units, Duel and X-Planes series, Tony has also written more than 30 books for Osprey in the past 28 years. He lives in Sevenoaks, UK. Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974-78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon. He lives in New Hampshire, USA. Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing as well as an aviation history enthusiast. Gareth completed the battlescene artwork and cover artwork. He lives in Perthshire, UK.

Whether books inspire our models or our models pique our interest in their history, this book is an excellent source for either interest. - Model Ship Wrights This excellent Duel effort provides an illuminating introduction to both of these classic combatants. It enjoys my strong recommendation. - Cybermodeler This is a good read. There is a lot of information within the pages. The photos and drawings are a great enhancement for the book. This book is recommended to the aviation historian, buff and modeler alike. I don't think you will be disappointed. - IPMS / USA Reviews The people who flew and fought these aircraft are certainly not ignored and biographies and brief descriptions of a few of each side's representative aviators round out this book, one of the best in the long-lived Duel series. Highly recommended. - Naval Aviation News