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Sharkmouth

Japanese Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Pacific War

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When I received this book from Stratus Publications, it was a surprise. The title, "Japanese Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Pacific War" is unique and a welcome addition to any person's library. Yet, what was fascinating is the breadth of the subject matter. As far as I knew, most of the photos would have been of the Tabby and converted bombers. I am happy to have been proven wrong.


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Guiseppe Picarelli is a new name to me as an author but the fact that Stratus published his work speaks volumes about the quality. This is a hefty hardcover with 248 pages, many photographs, color artwork, scale plans, cutaway illustrations (of which Guiseppe is renowned for in Flight International), five appendices, and a bibliography.

Taking the time to read the text, it becomes obvious that the author is fascinated by the subject and has devoted a lot of time to research and illustrations. Aside from a Foreword, Preface, and Introduction, there are thirteen chapters.

1. Imperial Japanese Army Transport Aircraft - An Overview
2. Imperial Japanese Navy Transport Aircraft - An Overview
3. Paratroop and Special Forces Operations
4. Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force 1941-1945
5. Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force
6. Silent Wings of the Empire
7. Experimental Transport and Assault Gliders of Imperial Japan
8. Emissaries to the Emperor
9. The Sun Goes Down
10. Post-War Japanese Transport Operations
11. Allied Test Flights of Japanese Transport Aircraft
12. Surviving Transport Aircraft of Imperial Japan
13. Japanese Transport Aircraft Photo Album

As can be seen, the chapters are well thought out, very thorough, entertaining, and informative.

The printing is excellent even if it took me a while to get accustomed to the graphics design. Slick matte paper is used which allows for excellent photo reproduction and the binding is quite good. However, I had to get accustomed to the gradient colors used in the background with matching hues used for the photographs. Looking for the page numbers? They are mostly hidden as they appear in the top inboard section of the A4 pages.

Returning to the photographs, many wrecks are shown due to the rarity of the subject and the captions are clear, concise, and informative. Tables appear throughout helping one understand aircraft technical data and so on. The tail markings illustrations, in color, are an excellent reference point for the modeler as are the photographs from the Allied test flights.

This is an excellent book by all accounts. It is surprising in the amount of information contained within and a reference to many modelers who may want to tackle a unique subject. My thanks to MMP and Stratus Publications for the review book.
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Sharkmouth
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