Military Model Scene

Title: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen Zeke, vol 2
Author: Dariusz Paduch
Publisher: Kagero
ISBN: 978-83-66673-33-5

Number 73 in the series of monographs from Kagero, in this case the 2nd volume to cover the famous Zeke, or Zero. A 96-page soft-cover book, this one moves on from volume 1 and provides lots of detail on the Combat operations of the Zero over the course of the war.
It starts with looking at 2 more variants, the A6M3, which had a new, more powerful engine, but it also meant reducing the size of the fuel tank and reduced range along with one or two other changes, and then the less well know A6M4. More with coverage of 2 trainer variants that I knew virtually nothing about, with twin cockpits, the front one of which was open. The bulk of the book follows, detailing the Combat experience of the Zero during the course of the war. China in 1940/1, Pearl Harbour, the Philippines, Dutch East Indies, Battle of the Coral Sea, Midway and so many more. The Zero had a long range and was agile, but to save weight lacked both armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks. In the early part of the war Japan also had some experienced pilots. However, the US fielded improved aircraft and the Japanese losses left them short on fuel supplies and they lost their experienced pilots and carriers. I was pleased to see the level of content on the float plane versions as well. Throughout the book there is a large number of archive photos, most of which I hadn't seen before. The final element of the book is several pages of 1/48 & 1/72 plans of the Rufe floatplane, plus pages of excellent colour profiles, which extend onto the back cover.
I am a fan of these Monographs from Kagero, and this new one is no exception. Plenty to interest the aviation historian and modeller alike.
Thanks to Casemate, the distributor for Kagero, for our review copy.

Robin