Millman, Nicholas/Olsthoorn, Ronnie (Illustr.) A6M Zero-Sen Aces 1940-1943

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen was Japan's Spitfire. In continuous development and operational service from the time of the Sino-Japanese war in 1940 to the end of the Pacific War in 1945, it is held in almost mythical awe, similar to Britain's legendary fighter aircraft. At the time of its operational debut the fighter's design features offered the revolutionary combination of an all-round vision canopy, cannon armament and a jettisonable drop tank giving it phenomenal range. Together with the flying and tactical proficiency of superbly trained pilots, this made the Zero-sen a true strategic fighter, spearheading Japan's offensive in the Pacific. It was also the mount of a plethora of successful and flamboyant naval aces engaged in both sea and land campaigns. This volume, the first of two on the A6M Zero-sen, covers the use of the A6M2 variant from its debut in China to the Solomons Campaign, and also tells the story of the A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane fighter aces

This first volume of two titles on the aces of the "Zero-Sen" covers the use of the A6M2 variant from its debut in the Sino-Japanese War of 1940 to the use of the fighter during the campaign in the Solomons in 1942/43. The book also tells the story of the Japanese fighter pilots who achieved ace status with the seaplane variant of the A6M2 "Zero-Sen", the A6M2-N "Rufe". The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero-Sen" single-seater fighter was Japan's "Spitfire". From the time of the Sino-Japanese War in 1940 until the end of the Pacific War in 1945, it was held in almost mythical reverence in continuous development and operational service, much like the legendary "Spitfire" in Britain.