F4F Wildcat vs A6M Zero-sen: Pacific Theater 1942
By (Author) Edward M. Young
Illustrated by Jim Laurier
Illustrated by Gareth Hector
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Osprey Publishing
20th August 2013
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
Modern warfare
Military vehicles
Air forces and warfare
940.544
Paperback
80
Width 184mm, Height 248mm, Spine 8mm
267g
The Grumman F4F Wildcat and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen were contemporaries, although designed to very different requirements. The Wildcat, ruggedly built to survive the rigors of carrier operations, was the best carrier fighter the US Navy had available when the USA entered World War II, and it remained the principal fighter for the US Navy and the US Marine Corps until 194243. With a speed greater than 300mph, exceptional manoeuvrability, long range, and an impressive armament the slick Zero-sen could out-perform any Allied fighter in 194142. The battles between the Wildcat and the Zero-sen during 1942 represent a classic duel in which pilots flying a nominally inferior fighter successfully developed air-combat tactics that negated the strengths of their opponent.
In a sentence this is a truly authoritative and greatly pleasant book. - Aerospace Magazines
Edward Young received his BA in Political Science from Harvard University and his MA from the University of Washington. Prior to his retirement to Seattle, Washington, he was a banker and financial analyst with assignments in New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. He is the author of several books on aviation history and Osprey Campaign 136: Meiktila 1945. Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing as well as an aviation history enthusiast. Gareth completed the battlescene artwork and cover artwork.