F4F Wildcat vs A6M Zero-sen
Pacific Theater 1942
Author: Edward M. Young
Illustrators: Jim Laurier and Gareth Hector
This 80 page paperback book is number 54 in the Duel series of books available from Osprey Publishing.
The Grumman F4F Wildcat and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen were contemporaries, although designed to very different requirements. The Wildcat, ruggedly built to survive the rigors of carrier operations, was the best carrier fighter the US Navy had available when the USA entered World War II, and it remained the principal fighter for the US Navy and the US Marine Corps until 1942–43. With a speed greater than 300mph, exceptional maneuverability, long range, and an impressive armament the slick Zero-sen could out-perform any Allied fighter in 1941–42. The battles between the Wildcat and the Zero-sen during 1942 represent a classic duel in which pilots flying a nominally inferior fighter successfully developed air-combat tactics that negated the strengths of their opponent.
The contents of this book are;
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Design and Development
- Technical Specifications
- The Strategic Situation
- The Combatants
- Combat
- Statistics and Analysis
- Aftermath
- Bibliography
- Index
This is an excellent reference work for the wargamer and modeler. The modeler will enjoy this book because of the numerous black and white photographs and the detailed color drawings of each aircrafts cockpits. This will allow the modeler to add extreme detail to their model from an accurate reference work.
