J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces cover

Description

An illustrated volume on the Raiden and Shiden, which both proved to be more than a match for Allied Fighters over the Pacific, ideal for those with interest in Japanese aviation during World War 2.

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.

As this volume outlines, 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.

Table of Contents

The Need for Interceptors
Kawanishi Fighters
N1K1 Kyofu and J2M Raiden in Combat
N1K1-J Shiden in Combat
N1K2-J Shiden-Kai in Combat

Appendices
Colour Plates Commentary
Index

Product details

Published 21 Apr 2016
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472812629
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 90 b/w; 34 col
Series Aircraft of the Aces
Short code ACE 129
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Yasuho Izawa

Yasuho Izawa is an ophthalmic optician whose past…

Author

Tony Holmes

Having initially worked for Osprey as an author in…

Cover illustrator

Mark Postlethwaite

Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

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

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