The fighter planes of the Japanese air defence unit protecting the airspace above the capital Tokyo. Known as the Atsugi Air Group, the 302nd Naval Air Group (302 Kokutai) of the Imperial Japanese Navy served as the core force for defending the Greater Tokyo Area. The 302nd Marine Air Group was established in March 1944 as the first unit of the navy dedicated exclusively to the air defence of the homeland, employing aircraft such as the Zero, Raiden, Gekko, Ginga and Suisei. Faced with overwhelming American air attacks in the final stages of the war, its pilots bravely attacked enemy bombers, often using the deadly slant-fire weapons that only Japanese night fighters had. This issue highlights the aircraft used by the 302nd Air Group with detailed models, colour profiles and historical analysis.
Group
Books (first-hand)
Title
Air Model Special. Volume 51: Home Defense Air Battles. IJN 302nd Air Group: Zeros, Raidens & Gekko
Details
Japanese text, paperback, many bw- and colour photos, colour profiles, large format. 128 pages.
