J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces / Yasuho Izawa, Tony Holmes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Izawa, Yasuho, author.

Holmes, Tony, author.

Series:

Osprey aircraft of the aces ; 129.

Aircraft of the Aces ; 129

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Raiden (Fighter plane)--History.

Raiden (Fighter plane).

World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, Japanese.

World War, 1939-1945.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (158 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Oxford, [England] ; New York, [New York] : Osprey Publishing, 2016.

Summary:

Although seen as a replacement for the A6M Zero-sen carrier-based fighter, the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was actually designed as a land-based naval interceptor optimised for speed rather than manoeuvrability. Engine cooling problems for its Mitsubishi Kasai 23 engine, airflow and flight control issues plagued the Raiden's development, but despite these production delays, aces Sadaaki Akamatsu Yoshihiro Aoki, Susumu Ito and Susumu Ishihara all claimed significant scores in the Raiden. Kawanishi's N1K family of fighters were privately developed by the manufacturer from the N1K Kyofu floatplane fighter. Again plagued by structural and engine maladies, the N1K1-J Shiden eventually entered frontline service in time to see considerable action in the doomed defence of the Philippines in October 1944. Despite suffering heavy losses, the units equipped with new fighter proved that the N1K could more than hold its own against P-38s and F6Fs. The improved N1K2-J Shiden-KAI started to reach the frontline by late 1944 - in time for defence of the Home Islands. Here, it proved to be the best IJN fighter of the war.

Contents:

Cover

Half-title

Title

Copyright

Contents

Chapter One: The Need for Interceptors

RAIDEN FROM THE COCKPIT

Chapter Two: Kawanishi Fighters

‘VIOLET LIGHTNING’

SHIDEN-KAI

Chapter Three: N1K1 Kyofu and J2M Raiden in Combat

381ST KOKUTAI INTO ACTION

301ST KOKUTAI’S COMBAT FAILURE

RAIDENS ON FORMOSA AND IN CHINA

302ND KOKUTAI IN HOMELAND DEFENCE

332ND KOKUTAI IN HOMELAND DEFENCE

352ND KOKUTAI IN HOMELAND DEFENCE

ONE-OFF SUCCESS

Chapter Four: N1K1-J Shiden in Combat

HOMELAND DEFENCE

OKINAWA

Chapter Five: N1K2-J Shiden-kai in Combat

343RD KOKUTAI

INTO COMBAT

KAMIKAZE ESCORTS

BATTLING B-29S

KAMIKAZE SUPPORT

ATT ACKING PBMS AND PB4YS

THUNDERBOLTS , CORSAIRS AND MUSTANGS

BUNGO STRAIT BATTLE Generated by AI.

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (EBC, viewed March 20, 2018).

Part of the metadata in this record was created by AI, based on the text of the resource.

ISBN:

9781472812636

1472812638