F4U Corsair versus A6M Zero-sen, Rabaul and the Solomons 1943–44 is the 119th title in the series Duel from Osprey Publishing LTD.

Introduction

The Chance-Vought F4U Corsair and Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen are legendary and iconic fighters, top favorites of many aviation fans of the Second World War.  Part of the Corsair mystique is an incredible 11-to-1 kill-to-loss ratio against enemy aircraft, many of which were Japan’s legendary Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen.  We live in exciting times as governments declassify records and veterans - or their families - have begun to divulge long-held or forgotten primary documents and relics of their participation in the war; researchers and historians with a passion for these subjects, and the ability and willingness to translate foreign language sources, are pulling back the curtain of decades of facts of conventional wisdom, often with iconoclastic results.  Sometimes we validate what we have believed about an aircraft combat record since 1945, sometimes we learn why it is not always good to meet our heroes.  If you are a fan of the A6M or F4U, you may be amazed with what you read in this book.

F4U Corsair versus A6M Zero-sen, Rabaul and the Solomons 1943–44 is the 119th title in the series Duel from Osprey Publishing LTDPlease view their web page here.

Authored by former diplomat Michael John Claringbould, world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war, and illustrated by artists Jim Laurier and Gareth Hector, this 80-page softcover book is catalogued with ISBN 9781472850614 and the Osprey Short code: DUE 119.  It is also available in eBook format.  Osprey writes of this title:

Whilst the F4U Corsair eventually proved to be a superior fighter in Pacific operations, its introduction into combat in this theatre initially demonstrated its weaknesses. Indeed, the ‘Saint Valentine's Day Massacre' debacle showcased exemplary Zero-sen fighter tactics, and American losses were of sufficient magnitude that further daylight missions toward Bougainville were discontinued until Allied fighter tactics could be improved. As a result, for the next two months the Corsair's combat results were much subdued. Indeed, the F4U only became a superb fighter when both its pilots and their commanders worked out how to deploy the gull-wing design effectively. Optimum circumstances for effective engagement did not always occur, and the Zero-sen remained effective against the Corsair until February 1944 in the South Pacific, after which all IJNAF fighter units vacated Rabaul. This book closely examines these two different fighters in the Solomons/Rabaul theatre, and the unique geographic conditions which shaped their deployment and effectiveness. It contains rare photographs and digital artwork that accurately showcases and aligns combats of both types in-theatre with unprecedented accuracy. Both sides vastly over-claimed. With full access to IJNAF and US Navy/US Marine Corps records, these numbers will be presented accurately.

Content

F4U Corsair versus A6M Zero-sen is told through 11 chapters and subsections:

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

Introduction and Chronology present several pages summarizing the lore of the Zero and Corsair, the war situation, and environmental factors.   Included is a statement by Corsair ace Lt. Ken Walsh about his Corsair combat.

Design and Development explore the creation of these two adversaries.  It clarifies the differences in the four main Zero models.  These seven pages also reveal some technology that may surprise you.  Supporting and expanding upon that chapter is Technical Specifications, an eight-page examination of engines, guns, landing gear, radios, modifications borne of combat, and control responsiveness, to name some of several characteristics.

The next 18 pages recounts The Strategic Situation and the characteristics of The Combatants.  Mr. Claringbould presents a concise yet illuminating account of the war situation.  We also learn of daily living of the fighter pilots (hot tubs and archery ranges – who knew?) at the pointy end of the spear, and further down the shaft.  Pilot training is covered, as is the physically and mentally demanding stress upon the young pilots of fighting over jungle islands.   Characteristics of various airbases are discussed, tying both chapters together.  Unit rotation or deployments are two other interesting subjects.  Two pilots receive full-page biographies, lieutenant colonel Kenneth Walsh and commander Zenjiro Miyano.

Almost 30 pages presents the part most of us came here for – Combat.  Strap in tight because herein is a wild ride of antinomy - verification of some legends while slaying some sacred cows.  Detailed accounts of some battles included accounts of multiple yet individual formations of Zeros joining sprawling dogfights.  The story starts on 12 February 1943 when F4Us first arrived at Guadalcanal and quickly began local missions.  It recounts the well-known dubious combat debut of the F4U over Bougainville.  Six important campaigns/dogfights and a legendary Corsair loss are presented: Guadalcanal; Rendova; Vella Lavella; Rabaul carrier strikes; Bougainville; Rabaul.  The author must have poured through reams of reports, diaries, journals and logs (obviously far more Japanese records have survived than what we have been led to believe over the decades) to present the level of detail I found in the text.  I will bet that this book could easily be a dozen times thicker with content than this standardized format allows.  Recall mention of first-hand accounts?  You will find several here, as well a then-Lt. Ken Walsh’s discussion of learning the hard way how to effectively fight the Corsair.  He would know – to get his 21 kills he lost five F4Us and was shot down thrice.   I was reminded of the Ringo Starr song It Don’t Come Easy.  Both sides overclaimed and this fact is addressed.  The author presents allowed claims in comparison to known losses.  Eye-opening.

Finally, Statistics and Analysis brings it all together.  The author accounts for every F4U airframe delivered to the South Pacific.  He compares them to every Corsair combat loss.  He also presents losses to equipment failure, weather, and other operational factors, along with the fate of many Corsair pilots.  Aftermath accounts for the fate of the Zero pilots left behind after the aerial evacuation of Rabaul, and the number of airworthy aircraft maintained there.  I usually do not mention Further Reading but in this book, the sources are particularly interesting, as is the entire book.

Photographs, Artwork, Graphics

A powerful gallery of photographs supports the text.  These images inspire modeling of aircraft and dioramas.  You will find some excellent images for weathering these airframes.  Most are black-and-white and there are three color photos from the era.  Several pilot and squadron portraits are provided, as well as scenes of life in a front-line fighter squadron.   Technical images aplenty, too.  Excellent source material for reference is found within the content, American and Japanese alike.  Several photos show what a Zero could do to a Corsair, providing great views of battle damage.  The author possesses a collection of amazing photos new to me, e.g., Zeros undergoing maintenance, Japanese crew belting ammunition, portrait of a partially completed outer wing of a F4U-1, a Zero forced-landed on a Guadalcanal beach.

Artwork

Original artwork by artists Jim Laurier and Gareth Hector provides scenes and color the camera missed.  Maps are included to help orient the reader.

Engaging the Enemy is a pilot’s-eye view of the cockpit and gun sight of a F4U flaming a Zero.  It includes half a page of narrative describing the scene and technical parts, plus problems with the environment and tactics.

A6M Zero-sen Formation illustrates the three- and four-plane shotai, accompanied by a detailed narrative.

Centerfold action scene: viewed from 6 and 7 ’O-clock, a VF-17 Corsair under attack by a Zero.

F4U Corsair Formation illustrates the two-plane section and four-plane division formations, accompanied by a detailed narrative.

A6M2 Model 21 Cockpit viewed from the pilot seat, keyed to 54 components.

F4U-1 Corsair Cockpit viewed from the pilot seat, keyed to 56 components.

Map of US bases from Guadalcanal to Bougainville.

Map of Japanese bases from New Britain/New Ireland to Guadalcanal.

A6M5 Model 52 Armament: viewed from above with weapons depicted.

F4U-1 Corsair Armament: viewed from above with weapons depicted.

A6M2 Zero-sen Model 21 in profile, planform, head-on; includes an informational caption, including Zero tail markings.

F4U-1 Corsair in profile, planform, head-on; includes an informational caption, including aircraft heraldry and markings.

Graphics

Informational table F4U-1A and A6M5 Model 52 Comparison Specifications: using data from a specific Chance-Vought manual; data for the powerplants; dimensions; weights; performance.

Conclusion

Osprey and Mr. Claringbould have created another exciting informative book with F4U Corsair versus A6M Zero-sen.  Deeply researched and clearly presented, the detailed book is fascinating.  It may upset those who revere the F4U but it is eye-opening all the same, as is the performance of the Zero.  The author explains his methods for the conclusions he presents in a manner that is difficult to challenge.  The brilliant gallery of unfamiliar photographs and those seen before support and enhance the text, as do the many original illustrations.

This is another one of those books that for the past 50 years I have been hoping someone would write.  It answers decades of questions about the F4U vs Zero war over the Solomons and I now possess a greater understanding of that air war in particular, and the Pacific air war in general. Recommended.

Please remember to mention to Osprey and retailers that you saw this product here - on Aeroscale.

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