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The aerial clashes between the iconic Corsair and Zero-sen translated into a contest of speed and altitude for the former, versus the latter’s outstanding agility and range.
Whilst the F4U Corsair eventually proved to be a superior fighter in Pacific operations, its introduction into combat in this theatre initially demonstrated its weaknesses. Indeed, the ‘Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre’ debacle showcased exemplary Zero-sen fighter tactics, and American losses were of sufficient magnitude that further daylight missions toward Bougainville were discontinued until Allied fighter tactics could be improved. As a result, for the next two months the Corsair’s combat results were much subdued. Indeed, the F4U only became a superb fighter when both its pilots and their commanders worked out how to deploy the gull-wing design effectively. Optimum circumstances for effective engagement did not always occur, and the Zero-sen remained effective against the Corsair until February 1944 in the South Pacific, after which all IJNAF fighter units vacated Rabaul.
This book closely examines these two different fighters in the Solomons/Rabaul theatre, and the unique geographic conditions which shaped their deployment and effectiveness. It contains rare photographs and digital artwork that accurately showcases and aligns combats of both types in-theatre with unprecedented accuracy.
Both sides vastly over-claimed. With full access to IJNAF and US Navy/US Marine Corps records, these numbers are presented accurately.
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Z82ZXG6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2022
Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 32.8 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472850591
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #1,049,807 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #181 in Oceania History #957 in Military Aviation History (Kindle Store) #1,772 in Two-Hour History Short Reads
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