Military Model Scene

Title: VLR P-51 Mustang vs Japanese Fighters
Author: Carl Molesworth
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-6640-0

Japan 1945, number 147 in the Duel series from Osprey, and author Carl Molesworth. An 80-page soft-cover book with artwork by Gareth Hector and Jim Laurier.
For some it may come as something of a surprise to learn that the VLR (Very Long Range) Mustang only really featured in the war in the Pacific during the final four months of WW2. Sent there primarily to provide escorts to the fleet of B-29 bombers, flying from their base on Iwo Jima, to attack the Japanese homeland. After an introduction and a chronology of key events, there is a section devoted to the design and development of the different aircraft types. For the US side, that of course means the Mustang, while the Japanese side includes their single engine day fighters, 3 as used by the IJNAF (Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force) and 4 with the IJAAF (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force). These feature the Zeke, Jack and George, and then the Tojo, Tony, Frank and the Ki-100, which was not given a reporting name by the Allies. Lots of interesting detail, including the rivalry between the two Japanese air forces, the poor reliability, their type numbering system and so much more. After a summary of the strategic situation at this stage of the war and a comparison of the US and Japanese opponents it looks at various accounts of their combat engagements. Originally intended to act as escorts for the B-29s, they operated more by night, so the P-51s, as day fighters, took on alternative missions as well. At the end there is a statistical analysis and some additional information on the Aftermath to round things off.
As is pointed out early on, twin engined Japanese aircraft are excluded, as are nightfighters. The book is well illustrated throughout, with archive photos as well as the usual excellent Osprey artwork, featuring cockpit and armament arrangements, along with maps, battle scenes and formation patterns, there is lots to enjoy in this one, as well as the historical and technical narrative. It gives a good picture of what it was like to fighter pilots over the Tokyo Bay area in the closing months of the war.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin