Mitsubishi Reviews

When you are not fluent in Japanese, there are not very much other publications about the A6M Zero I could recommend you to buy. This book has it all: splendid photographs - both historical and of surviving planes-, an indepth text which not just tells the allied side of the story - there is a forword by Zero Ace Saburo Sakai himself -, and a good bibliography of 27 earlier publications about this plane, proving that the author can read the original language himself because most of them are in Japanese. It also list all the classics in the English language up to publication date, only missing the ARCO/Aircam No. 18 by Richard M. Bueschel, published in 1970 and since long out of print, though updated and reissued by Schiffer Books in 1995. The Polish/British Mushroom Publications brought out a Zero monograph by Artur Juszczak as well in November 2001, more focussed on modellers, which can also be used as a sort of 'Walk Around', because there are shots of almost all parts and angles of the plane, something which it has in common with another Polish 'Zero' book by Arthur Lochte.

Mikesh is that rare combination of combat pilot (he was a FAC during the Vietnam War) and historian (former curator at the Natl Air & Space Museum). Japanese military aviation is his speciality, and this book is the definitive history of Japan's remarkable Zero fighter.

Zero Combat & Development by Robert Mikesh, does a splendid job of telling the story of the history and development of the A6M all models are included and a break down of their history and purpose of coming into play are described. The book covers the successes of the earlier A5M and discusses the specifications handed to Horikoshi. It does an excellent job of explaining the structural defect present in the early model A6M's and what corrective measures were taken to prevent more accidents. It shows many photos interior cut away drawings and specifactons. I am an aviation historian and a model builder and I even learned from reading this book. Also valuable is the information obtained from the captured A6M and the test of many American fighters of that time against the A6M. Don't just take my word for it read it for yourself.

I am living in Romania,Eastern Europe;I desperately need this book but I don't know what do I have to do in order to get to it-Please tell me a method.I am ready to pay for it but how will I be sure that the payment will get there where must be?

next tim

Osprey has again come through with the goods with this 22nd volume addition to its series. It is filled with the same highly detailed aircraft and unit data readers have come to expect, and receive, from Osprey publications. It has this and a great deal more. I found it insightful and hard to put down. If this volume has any shortcomings it would be that it is so readable that it will be quickly digested by the reader! Mr. Tagaya held my interest through every chapter. I eagerly await the next volume by this gentleman (D3A Val Units) as a result of my satisfaction with this fine piece of research. A great deal of insight from various and numerous Japanese sources is very much in evidence here. Readers are exposed to the G4M Betty and the hardships of the aircrews/units that flew it to be sure, but as an added benefit Mr. Tagaya's research sheds light on the chasm of differences between Japanese and American air campaign theory and management in WW 2. Anyone with a more than casual interest in the subject will quickly realize its value and want to keep this reference readily available. Worth every cent you'll pay, and more!

The Betty is a famous japanese ww2 bomber, but on his operative are until today few notices. The book is the n° 22 in the growing Osprey Combat Serie; as usual is very well done, with rare photos, many colour plates, some orders of battle for the various air group and enough details on operative use. The evolution of the Sentai strenght and the appaling losses suffered from the aircrw are also well detailed. The action against the Force Z on december 10, 1941 and the use versus US Navy ships in the Guadalcanal campaign, is enriched with day by day account of the mission. I found the book in some way better than others in the same serie, with a particular attention toward new informations on the "Betty".

I said in a previous review "As with all books in the Osprey/Aircam series -in the US published as Airco/Aircam- it is well worth searching for. One would hope that the publisher would consider a re-issue every 20 years or so, but until now that has not been the case. That is even more to be regretted as one consideres that the volume about the Zero was a volume 1, implying that they had more material and that a volume 2 was also considered"
Well, good news, this is the second, revised and updated, edition of the former book. The same holds true for the other titles in this series, which has already extended further than the original. A must buy for anyone seriously interested in Japanese military aviation.

This book is simple if you don't know a socket wrench from a regular wrench, but when you need details to make the repair you just did not need a professional mechanic later, chilton's lacks. usefullness.

This is a very big book that covers the Eclipse series. The illustrations are in a mechanical diagram layout and are pretty easy to follow. The wiring diagrams are a must for anyone that wants to play with the car electrical system (for example: Car Stereo additions, fog lights etc). It covers just about every system in the car. It's also nice to find out how to remove panels or parts so you don't have to tinker around trying to find out how they come apart. It also includes a complete preventative maintanance section and tune up section, which will help you keep you car in top shape so you won't run into problems down the road. I cannot say much about all the step-by-step instructions, as some of them are rather vague, while others go into great detail. I have really used this book a lot and it is one of the best things I have got for my car! I would recommend this book to someone in the automotive hobby or someone with technical background. If you don't want to get your fingers dirty, then this book won't be of much help. But then again, I would NOT recommend this book to automotive professionals. There is no replacement for a factory service manual, which the dealers have. For under 20 bucks, this book is a must for any die hard Eclipse owner!

Very interesting, easy to read, and explains many interesting Japanese concepts in short, consice paragraphs. Very entertaining. Suitable for anyone interested in the business protocol or psychology of the Japanese. Perfect for reading on your way to a business trip to Japan

For the cerebral military history and aviation history buff, it's hard to get a better book than this one. Mr. Horikoshi was the leader of the team that designed the famous Zero, the plane that scared the Allies silly for the couple of years around Pearl Harbor. The book focuses on what he knows best: the design of the plane, including its context in fighter plane designs of the pre-war years. Toward the end, there are some agonized comments about attempts to design successors to and modifications to the Zero after the Americans developed tactics and aircraft specifically to combat it. Combat results are described in only the most cursory way, so many military history buffs may be disappointed that the only deaths recounted in detail are those of test pilots. For those interested in the more cerebral side of military history -- the weapons systems, the economic and logistical problems, and so on -- there are few books as rewarding as this one.

There aren't first-person accounts of dogfights or bombing attacks here; Horikoshi never participated in combat. Nor is there anything substantive here about the training of the pilots that flew those first Zeros and deserve a large amount of the credit for the victories the design produced in 1940-1942. Instead there is a meticulous recap of the decisions that went into building the plane, and the reader gets keen insight into how an aeronatical engineer must think in order to create a near-legendary design. After reading this book, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that if Imperial Japan of the 1930's had had better engine designs than the ones available to Mr. Horikoshi, the road from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay would have been longer and bloodier than it worked out to be.

When this book was published in 1970, it became the standard reference for everyone who wanted to know what a Mitsubishi Zero looked like. Still one of the most densely packed photograph-books about the Zero, it is now no longer available from its publisher, and one has to find it on the second hand market. As with all books in the Osprey/Aircam series -in the US published as Airco/Aircam- it is well worth searching for. One would hope that the publisher would consider a re-issue every 20 years or so, but until now that has not been the case. That is even more to be regretted as one consideres that the volume about the Zero was a volume 1, implying that they had more material and that a volume 2 was also considered.

very interestin

Somewhat useful manual. Does dissapoint in the fact that on the issues you might really need help on, the book tells you it is too complicated and to take the car to the dealer. But the book does have some useful information.

it got some good point but it dose not show a closer lay out on the time mark and on the two oil gear marks at all that the heart of the engine and if it dose not show a good picture of that you will put it back toghter wrong if you got a better picture send it to me so i could see it ok

I've almost worn this book out referring to it while modifying my Galant VR-4, which is essentially an Eclipse GSX in Galant trim with rear-wheel steering. When Haynes refers you to a dealer or other repair shop, it's for a good reason. There are easier and better ways to do some procedures, but for the most part this book is a great reference for anyone with even mild automotive repair experience. If you're doing an engine rebuild, get the Mitsubishi factory service manual since the Haynes book is incorrect in several places. Or get a rebuilt engine and save yourself a lot of time.