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Classic Publications - Specialty Press |
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GENDA'S BLADE Japan's Squadron of Aces - 343 Kokutai by Henry Sakaida & Koji Takaki Reviewed by Jack Bruno #25313 |
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The newest offering from Specialty Press captivates the reader from the start. Beginning near the end of World War II in late December 1944, it spotlights Minoru Genda, the architect of Pearl Harbor fame. Genda handpicked an elite unit of pilots to defend the Japanese homeland from daily bombing raids by American carrier and bomber groups. He formed the 343 Kokutai, equipping them with the latest Aircraft in the Empire's inventory, the Shinden-Kai, or Violet Lightning (N1K2-J), Allied code name: George. In the hands of a capable pilot the Shinden-Kai was equal or better than the F6F Hellcat. Numerous stories of combat missions from the surviving pilots of the 343 fill this handsome hardcover's 207 pages. It's refreshing and downright rare to read about these exploits from the Japanese perspective. Also included are interviews with the American crews and pilots who engaged the elite group. I was fascinated by an interesting after the war story detailing the use of some Japanese pilots from the 343 to ferry the Shinden-Kai to the United States for evaluation. Allied aircraft escorting the Shinden-Kai for security reasons were left in their dust. There is also a Chapter devoted to the recovery of a Shinden-Kai thirty five years after it crashed in Sukumo Bay on July 24, 1945. Now resting in a small museum overlooking the cove where it was found, research determined it as belonging to one of the six pilots the 343 lost that day. Complimented by 300 photographs, this oversized book will fill any void in your Pacific War library nicely. Included, just for the modeler, are ten beautifully done color plates, one of which is a "Myrt" or C6N1 Saiun. The pictures open up several diorama possibilities. With the winning combination of research, history and modeling, there isn't much more an IPMS member could want. This is a most worthwhile book for your history or modeling library. Special thanks to John Noack and Karin Hill for the review sample. RECOMMENDED!!! |
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