The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII aircraft profiles to date of Japanese aircraft in the “South Seas” theater.
Volume One illustrates, by unit, Japanese Army Air Force fighter aircraft operating in New Guinea and the Solomons from December 1942 to April 1944. In this theater numerous different aircraft types and their variants were assigned to eleven fighter regiments which formed the 4th Air Army. Unit insignia, camouflage and command markings varied from unit to unit, giving a wide variety of color and markings. The profiles, based on photos, Japanese documents, Allied intelligence reports and post-war wreck investigations, are accompanied by brief histories of the relevant units and explanations of their role in the theater.
The author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise in respect to wartime Japanese aviation. These profiles accurately portray Japanese Army Air Force fighters during this fascinating and esoteric component of the Pacific air war.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter1 The JAAF in the South Pacific – An Overview
Chapter 2 Technical Notes
Chapter 3 Notes on Markings
Chapter 4 The 1st Hiko Sentai
Chapter 5 The 11th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 6 The 13th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 7 The 24th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 8 The 33rd Hiko Sentai
Chapter 9 The 59th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 10 The 63rd Hiko Sentai
Chapter 11 The 68th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 12 The 77th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 13 The 78th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 14 The 248th Hiko Sentai
Chapter 15 Captured & Restored Aircraft
Chapter 16 Postscript
Sources & Acknowledgements
Index of Names