Eagles of Mitsubishi: The Story of the Zero Fighter

by Jiro Horikoshi

The chief designer of the Japanese Zero recalls the development of that fighter, and his experiences during the war years

Genres: World War II, History, Japan, Aviation, Nonfiction, Military History

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1981

Reviews

[Ushan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Japanese aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi is the subject of the animated feature film "The Wind Rises", which combines the designer's entirely fictional personal life with the story of the Mitsubishi A5M carrier-based fighter. This book is about the design of his next aircraft, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. It was an enormous engineering challenge, described in much detail. One thing that impressed me was that in early prototypes the same movement of the control stick produced the same movement of the elevators at both high and low speed; pilots were complaining that the elevators should move less at high speed and more at low speed. Horikoshi reduced the diameter of the control cables, making them less stiff, so they would counteract the airload at high speed less, and the elevators would move less. This is elegant engineering design! Two test pilots died in flutter-related crashes because the designers were literally pushing the envelope of aerodynamics.

First used in China against the Soviet-made Polikarpov I-15 and I-16, the Zero was unveiled to the rest of the world at Pearl Harbor. Early in World War II the Zero was the best fighter in the Pacific Theater, making mincemeat of Allied fighters. However, later in the war the Allies introduced fighters that rivaled and bested the Zero, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair and the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The Japanese lacked the engineering resources to design a new fighter that would counter them; for the rest of the war, they just made modifications to the Zero, and by the end used it in kamikaze attacks as suicide pilot-guided cruise missiles. Horikoshi was asked to write an essay on the kamikaze, and he "could not stop tears from running down [his] cheeks"; he was forced to confront the questions, why Japan plunged into a war she couldn't win and why his beautiful airplane was being used in such an ugly way.

[Jim Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Horokoshi san reveals a passionate, self-effacing man who took great pride in his work, but never failed to give due credit to others. Horikoshi san's years as a teacher are clear in his ability to weave some rather technical material into an interesting narrative. Well worth reading if you have even the slightest interest in aircraft.
I will mention that people who've watched 'The Wind Rises' will see some familiar people and situations, but will find that most of the film's biographical details are fictional.

[Claudia Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing insight into the infamous Zero Fighter


I “had no idea of the difficult task which would be handed to me on that unforgettable day”, said Dr. Jiro Horikoshi, master Japanese aeronautical engineer, in response to the daunting task of designing and executing the military’s swiftest, sleekest, and above all, most deadly plane. Dr. Horikoshi details the development of his legacy in his memoir Eagles of Mitsubishi: The Story of the Zero Fighter. Which describes the trials and tribulations that the young engineer faced while creating planes in WWII Japan and the true story of one of Japan’s greatest technological advancements. Dr. Horikoshi introduces himself as a passionate young man who “had a longing for airplanes”. Having been born in Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture in 1903, Horikoshi very quickly took to airplanes. As a young man he was introduced to aeronautics by his brother’s friend, and before too long, Horikoshi found himself in a brand new pair of squeaky business shoes walking to a job at Nagoya Aircraft Manufacturing. During his time here he worked on three separate plane designs: The Prototype 9, Prototype 7, and The Mitsubishi Zero monoplane. Throughout the course of the novel, Dr. Horikoshi explains his vast frustration with the failures of the Prototype 7 and 9, as he recounts mistakes, hardships, and newly gained insight on aeronautical development. Then, on Oct. 6, 1937, the plans for the Prototype 12, later to be known as the Type Zero, landed on his desk. For the remainder of our shared journey with Dr. Horikoshi, we follow the nervous and dedicated young designer, as he narrates his research, blueprints, and talent, through sickness and in health until he develops a monoplane with the demanding criteria that the Army and Navy insist on. Ultimately gifting Japanese and American audiences with a grand narrative of progress despite hardship.

This memoir acts as a bridge between the humble beginnings of the Zero and its infamous end, acknowledged by Dr. Horikoshi at the beginning of his writing where he apologizes and explains his hope that “this English-Language edition of the story will be of interest and value to our friends in the west”. In his note, he also writes that the “Zero was of Japanese blood” and that he was proud of it in that sense. He later described that he, even at the time of writing, had trouble facing the reality that the Zero was largely used for kamikaze pilots while also being known for decimating the American fleet in Pearl Harbor. However, this modesty and the genius writing of Horikoshi’s grasps and holds the reader's attention while also providing photos and diagrams for each of the technological marvels he describes. Additionally, if you are a fan of the renowned Studio Ghibli film, The Wind Rises, which also tells a (somewhat fictional) tale of Jiro Horikoshi, I recommend reading Story of the Zero Fighter in order to understand the origin of the amazing film. Overall, Eagles of Mitsubishi: The Story of the Zero Fighter is a beautiful true-story full of emotion and engineering wonders that will appeal to history fans, aeronautics buffs, readers, and movie fans alike!

[Mathou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bird of steel

This short book is an autobiography: that of Jiro Horikoshi.

This man is the engineer who designed and conceptualized the mythical Japanese aircraft of the Second World War: the Zero Fighter.

I have to start this review by saying that this is a fascinating book. It takes us behind the scenes of history, to the side of the story that's never talked about much, but which is nonetheless fascinating.

The book oscillates between personal biography, states of mind, and a precise account of the difficulties encountered when designing an airplane.

The book is accessible to everyone, whether you know anything about aviation or not.

Everything is detailed, and you can feel the feelings of the engineer, the patriot and the people.

It's a magnificent historical document that tells us much more than it lets on.

It's a dream come true, an iron bird that quickly became a war machine.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so informative and I'm glad it was translated so that I could read about the Zero from the mouth of the designer.
The innovation, problem-solving and sheer will needed to develop this extraordinary craft was amazing. While there were many technical details, it was never too confusing or presented a problem that Google couldn't straighten out for me.

[Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the development of the A6M Zero-sen fighter, as told by its chief designer.

[J. Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, if you're interested in this sort of thing.

Recommended to those intrigued by the story in Miyazaki's latest/last film, The Wind Rises, or if you're a WWII buff.