Combat Legend: Mitsubishi Zero

Combat Legends

by Robert Jackson

In late 1941 and early 1942 Zero fighters, flying from carriers or land bases, wrought havoc over Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Singapore and other targets in the Pacific. When the tide of war turned against the Japanese, Zero Pilots died by the hundred in air battles or kamikaze attacks on the advancing American forces. When first adopted into service in 1940, the Zero was equal to any other fighter in service throughout the world and better than most. In the latter stages of the war the Hellcat and Lightning eventually outclassed the aircraft.

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Jackson was born in 1941 in the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby. A former pilot and navigation instructor, his active involvement with aviation lasted many years. Following his retirement from the RAFVR in 1977 as a squadron leader, he became a full-time aviation writer and aerospace correspondent and lectured extensively on strategic issues. He speaks five languages, including Russian, and has written more than forty nonfiction works on military affairs. He is also the author of the popular Yeoman and SAS fiction series.

Reviews

[Kevin Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good history on the zero right from the early battles when the plan was introduced. Down to the end of the war when Japan could only produce a handful per month while the Allies were producing thousands. The book portrays how this was a marvel of technology but never significantly updated even after it became outclassed.

[J. Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another from a great, well-illustrated series -- bought another at the Smithsonian's NASM when son Jacob and I were there on his birthday a couple of years ago.

This gives a great over-view of Mitsubishi's important WWII fighter -- as important and symbolic to the Japanese as the Spitfire is to the British, and the Mustang is to the US.