Eagles of Mitsubishi
The Story of the Zero Fighter
Horikoshi, Jiro
First English language edition
The birth of the Zero fighter marked the beginning of a new era in naval aviation. Because of its extraordinary maneuverability and range, the Zero quickly established itself as the world's finest carrier-based fighter. It led the attack on Pearl Harbor, and dominated the Pacific in the early days of World War II. For a time it seemed invincible, and to many it symbolized Japan's conduct of the war.
This book is the complete story of the Zero as told by its chief designer, Dr. Jiro Horikoshi. It begins with a brief account of his early life and training as an aeronautical engineer. Dr. Horikoshi then discusses the problems he faced in the 1930s as he attempted to develop fighter aircraft in Japan that were on a par with those of the Western world.
As war grew closer, Dr. Horikoshi and the Mitsubishi design staff were challenged by the Japanese Navy to develop a "wonder" fighter - an aircraft with performance far exceeding that of any fighter previously built. After months of work, and several key breakthroughs, the first prototype Zero was ready for flight testing. Dr. Horikoshi describes the joy of that first successful flight, the tragic deaths of two test pilots on subsequent flights, and the constant intense efforts of the design team to improve the aircraft.
When the Zero finally entered combat over China in August 1940, it blasted all opposition from the skies. Because U.S. authorities discounted early reports on the Zero, its appearance over Pearl Harbor came as a complete surprise. Thereafter, however, the Zero could not be ignored. Not until the Battle of Midway in June 1942 were the Allies able to retaliate successfully in the air.
Inevitably, in the later stages of the war, the Zero was forced into a defensive posture for which it was not suited. New U.S. fighters were introduced into combat, and Japanese resources were badly depleted. The atomic bombings clearly revealed the folly of continued military action and Dr. Horikoshi tells of the subsequent surrender.
This book, then, is both the saga of the development and performance of a great airplane and a personal account of how a famous aircraft designer went about his task. For a Western reader, it is all the more interesting because it views World War II from a Japanese perspective.
Jiro Horikoshi, who served for many years as chief aircraft designer for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, now lives near Tokyo.
Hardcover with dust jacket
160 Seiten / pages
photos
very good condition
Seattle, Washington - 1981 - University of Washington Press
Art.Nr. 24336
