F4U Corsair vs Ki-84 “Frank”

Pacific Theater 1945

F4U Corsair vs Ki-84 “Frank” cover

Description

The Vought Corsair was the first American single-engine fighter to exceed four hundred mph, establishing dominance over the Mitsubishi Type Zero-sen with a kill ratio greater than ten to one. The Ki-84 Hayate was introduced by the Japanese specifically to counter this growing American dominance of the skies over the Pacific. Built in greater numbers than any other late-war Japanese fighter, nearly three thousand were completed between 1944 and 1945.

This volume examines the clashes between the Corsair and Ki-84 in the closing stages of the war, revealing how Corsair pilots had to adapt their techniques and combat strategies to account for these newer types, which proved harder to shoot down. It also reveals how the eventual six-to-one kill rate was largely driven by the reduced quality of Japanese fighter pilots due to the high casualty rates inflicted on the Japanese Air Force during the air battles over the Solomon Islands.

Table of Contents

Introduction/ Chronology/ Design and Development/ Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation/ The Combatants/ Combat/ Statistics and Analysis/ Aftermath/ Further Reading/ Index

Product details

Published May 24 2016
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472814609
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 20 b/w; 46 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Duel
Short code DUE 73
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Edward M. Young

Edward M. Young is a retired financial executive w…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

Illustrator

Gareth Hector

Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international…

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