F4F Wildcat vs A6M2-N "Rufe"
Solomon Islands 1942–43
F4F Wildcat vs A6M2-N "Rufe"
Solomon Islands 1942–43
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Description
An illustrated study of the oft-overlooked engagements between the iconic F4F Wildcat and Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's 6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane during the Solomon Islands campaign.
A number of unique confrontations took place between floatplanes and land-based fighters during the fierce aerial battles fought above the Solomon Islands throughout 1942–43. Whilst the most famous Battle of Guadalcanal "slugfests" saw US Marine Corps/US Navy F4F Wildcats engage the Zero-sens of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force, the pugnacious Wildcats also came up against the A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane – termed the 'Zero on floats' by American pilots. Such encounters have gone under-explored and misrepresented in Western histories, with the elusive capabilities of the 'Rufe' and its role combatting raids against Guadalcanal receiving only scant attention.
In this revelatory study, Pacific War expert Michael John Claringbould uncovers an aspect of the Pacific air war that has, until now, remained largely unknown. Operational documents, combat reports and firsthand accounts from both Wildcat and "Rufe" pilots are combined to help align adversaries, in some cases one-on-one, for the first time in print, while archive photographs, formation diagrams and newly commissioned artwork brings the action to life.
Accessibility Information
Additional accessibility information
- EPUB 3.0
- Conforms with the requirements of EPUB Accessibility Spec v1.1
- WCAG level AA
- WCAG v2.2 compliant
- [email protected]
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The publication contains no hazards
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Chronology
Design and Development
The Strategic Situation
The Combatants
Combat
Statistics and Analysis
Aftermath
Further Reading
Index
Product details
| Published | Aug 27 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 80 |
| ISBN | 9781472870759 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | Colour artwork plates and maps; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations. |
| Series | Duel |
| Short code | DUE 155 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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