Ki-44 ‘Tojo’ Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces, 100)

Osprey's 'Aircraft of the Aces' series hits the #100 milestone with this absolutely first-rate history of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force aces who flew Nakajima's Ki-44 'Shoki' interceptor. Prior to Nicholas Millman's KI-44 'TOJO' ACES OF WORLD WAR 2, little information on the stubby, fast-climbing Ki-44 has been available in English-language publications. Happily, 'Aircraft of the Aces #100' rectifies that situation in splendid fashion.Developed in 1939, the Shoki's design flew in the face of the IJAAF dogfighter tradition. A tough, speedy, hard-climbing, heavily-armed 'heavy fighter,' the Ki-44 was built in limited numbers but saw combat over every South-east Asia front except New Guinea and was a major player in Home Defense ops against B-29s. Eighteen pilots scored all or some of their kills flying the stubby Nakajima fighter.A member of the Pacific Air War History Associates, Millman does an excellent job of summarizing the Ki-44's development and war record over China, Burma, the East Indies, the Philippines and the Home Islands. Thanks to in-depth research, he is able to match up Japanese claims versus actual Allied losses.The text is complimented by over 80 b&w photographs and Ronnie Olsthoorn's color profiles and cover artwork. Olsthoorn's work is superlative; I hope Osprey makes more use of his talents.Pacific air war enthusiasts will enjoy KI-44 'TOJO' ACES OF WORLD WAR 2. The blend of authoritative text, imagery and artwork makes for a great addition to the Osprey 'Aces' series. Make no mistake about it; this is one impressive book! Highly recommended.

Nicholas Millman has written a great volume about the Ki-44's combat record in World War II. Navigating through an area of history replete with holes and misinformation, he has put together a concise narrative that both makes sense and is enjoyable to read. I was surprised to read that both the AVG and the CATF encountered the Ki-44 in combat long before it was recognized in the summer/fall of 1943. What I most like about the book is that Millman does solid research on both the Japanese and Allied sides, leaving the reader with a sense that the subject was treated fairly. He does not attempt to oversell the aircraft or its combat record. It is apparent, however, that the Japanese suffered for producing this formidable aircraft in such small numbers and for not having a more robust pilot training program throughout the war. Despite a rude shock to the Americans when the Ki-44 dominated the skies over China during the summer and fall of 1943, these deficiencies eventually spelled the downfall of the Japanese air forces.

Nicholas Millman is a well respected historian with his own blog on the topic of WWII Japanese aviation. His new title on the Ki-44 is, in this person's estimation, the finest volume yet in the Osprey "Aces" series.The book is a wonderful combination of history, background information, period photography, and also incredibly well done art profiles, which allow the reader to understand both the aircraft, and the men who flew the Ki-44, in an objective light.The story of the struggle against B-29 raids is both compelling, and fascinating. The author touches on the topics of night fighting techniques, as well as the use of air dropped bombs against the Superfortress formations. Also of note is the information on the limited use of the Ki-44 in Burma, by units primarily equipped with the Ki-43 Hayabusa.I can heartily recommend this volume to anyone with even a passing interest in WWII Japanese aviation.

Good book about a forgotten aircraft and the aces who flew it.

The color profiles in this book are alone worth the cover price. Some of the finest artwork in this entire series. The book is also well written. If you have an interest in WW2 Japanese aircraft, the Japanese aces I highly recommend buying it.

Great info on WW2 aircraft.

Good book

This is a mediocre book by any measurement. The print is so small you need a very good reading lamp if reading in the evening. It is a small, thin and cheaply produced book full of rehashed content. I can't help but be suspect of the glowing reviews of this book. I believe they are from Nicholas Millman and some of his aquantances.

OK

always perfect and super fast delivery!

very good

Il libro, il quale tratta un tema singolare (il caccia Ki-44 e i piloti che conseguirono almeno 5 vittorie a bordo di questo velivolo) è ben scritto e curato in ogni dettaglio. Ben realizzata la stampa e ottima la qualità della carta. Disponibilissimo l'autore contattato per alcuni chiarimenti.

まず本書の参考書籍を読んで思ったのは、梅本本、渡辺本、戦史叢書などが含まれており、かなり意欲的に日本資料を読み込んでいるという点です。勿論交戦した米軍側書籍も参考にしており、その辺りにぬかりはありません。　二式単戦の開発される事となる契機、鍾馗の意味、大東亜戦争開戦時の「かわせみ部隊」の話から当書は始まります。続いて中国大陸におけるデビューとＰ−４０に対する苦戦、ビルマ戦線、スマトラのパレンバンにおける防空戦と敗北に続いています。　著者は、特徴的な形、日本軍戦闘機として特異な仕様を求められながらも、用兵などの面から傑作戦闘機となりえなかったとしています。しかし、それを言い出せば、零戦と一式戦以外で期待に応えた戦闘機は存在するでしょうか？Ｐ−４０Ｎでも圧倒できると評された三式戦、Ｐ−４０Ｎ相手に五分五分の四式戦、実戦ではダメダメの五式戦、登場も遅くろくに活躍しなかった雷電、実際には米軍相手に負け続きだった紫電及び紫電改・・・　むしろ隼と零戦以降に開発された単座戦闘機の中では、活動範囲も含めて一番活躍したといえる戦闘機ではないでしょうか？その辺りを著者は理解していないようです。　更に疑問符のつくところがあります。最新の資料までは調査が及ばなかったのか、渡辺氏の「日本戦闘機列伝」までは参考にしておらず、４５年５月２５日に小川准尉がＰ−５１Ｄを撃墜した記述はありません。他にも４５年８月１４日、浜名湖上空で第２４６戦隊の二式単戦が、マスタングを撃墜したものの、藤本曹長が撃墜されたとしています。ですがこれ、エースの安田氏が参加しており、マスタングは彼が撃墜し、この時搭乗していたのは四式戦闘機です。他にも細部に誤りがあったのは残念です。　ですが、梅本氏の著書より後の中国戦線航空戦も描いており、なかなか捨てがたい内容です。そのため、梅本氏が邦訳して、大日本絵画から発売されるのを祈ります。　ある程度資料を持っている方であれば、本書は購入する必要はないやもしれません。