Military Model Scene

Title: Fighters of the Dying Sun
Author: Justo Miranda
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN: 978-1-78155-811-9

A new book from Fonthill Media and author Justo Miranda. Many readers will already know his previous books on the various German experimental aircraft designs of the later stages of WW2, and this time he has turned his attention to the late war experimental designs of Japan. Less well known I suspect to many aviation enthusiasts are these Japanese designs. This is a 256-page hardcover book from author Justo, a Spaniard who lives in Madrid and he is also an advisor for the Spanish Air Force Museum.
The book is divided across 7 chapters, starting with a look at the aviation assets Japan used in their early attacks, their Aggressor stage of the war in the Pacific. Then it looks at the two Japanese air arms, the Japanese Army aircraft, and then the Japanese Naval aircraft. The early conquests of the Japanese were largely driven by gaining access to raw materials, minerals and of course oil, all of which were in short supply in their Home Islands. The challenges the 2 forces had to face changed as the war went on. The Army faced more and more of the high level bombing raids by US B-29 bombers, while the IJN had to deal with low level fighters, dive bombers and torpedo aircraft, though of course there were exceptions for both. There were multiple challenges and multiple solutions. These are examined in the many accounts of particular aircraft developments, along with armament, bombs and engines. It is also notable for just how much information was shared by their German allies. Most of us interested in aviation history in WW2 will know many Japanese aircraft used radial engines, but with licence production enabled of the famous German DB601 inline engines, so new designs were developed. A number of German aircraft inspired Japanese versions, including such as the Me 262, the Me 163 and others. Some even influenced post-war designs among other nations.
The remaining chapters cover Rocket Fighters, Night Fighters, Radar Warfare and a final piece on Operation Downfall, a case of 'what if', the plans to defend the Japanese Home Islands which were only rendered unnecessary by the dropping of the atomic bombs. The book is well illustrated throughout with numerous sets of line drawings of very many aircraft designs, and these include a good number that I had never heard of, despite having been interested in WW2 aviation for well over 50 years. Just as examples, Ta-Dan aerial bombs, the Nakajima Ki.102 Karyu (a Japanese version of the Me.262) and the Manshu Ki.98 among many more. They even used the installation of upward firing cannon, what the Luftwaffe knew as 'Shrage Musik'.
A fascinating book once again from the author, and I learnt a lot. Some of the designs look fascinating, even the little Ram fighters. The later stages of WW2 led to a number of changes in the needs of their aircraft designers and this gives an excellent insight into this subject.
Thanks to Fonthill media for our review copy.

Robin