- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd; illustrated edition edition (21 Jun 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1861262787
- ISBN-13: 978-1861262783
- Product Dimensions: 28.7 x 22.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,356,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
The Aichi Val was the principal dive bomber for the Japanese fleet, scoring considerable successes against American and British warships. From the attack on Pearl Harbour to the Kamikaze raids in the closing stages of the war, it was a potent weapon. Using official records and the testimony of the men that designed and flew the Val, Peter Smith has assembled this work, which should appeal to both historians and modellers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Facinating but flawed book on an important aeroplane,
By
This review is from: Aichi D3A1/2 Val (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)
The Aichi D3A Type 99 dive bomber, code-named 'Val' by the Allies, was one if the most important aircraft in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Active from Pearl Harbour to the final kamikaze attacks off Japan, together with the Nakajima B5N 'Kate' it provided the striking power of Japan's carrier fleet in all the critical battles of the early war years. Like many Japanese aircraft detailed books about it are very rare, and Peter C Smith has produced a fascinating but flawed account of it.The book's strengths are many. Rather than rely on Western accounts the author has done extensive research in Japan, including corresponding with members of the original design team. The rationale behind the design is set in the context of already existing Japanese dive bombing doctrine and their contacts with the Heinkel company in Germany. Very detailed and comprehensive accounts of actions involving Vals are given based on both Japanese and Allied reports. Scattered through the book are fascinating accounts of individuals who either flew or worked on the Val. Unfortunately, the book is in desperate need of a good editor/proof reader and is littered with contradictions or inaccuracies. For example, on the same page the US tanker Pecos is said to have sunk at 15:45 but in the next paragraph is attacked at 16:20, the Japanese carrier raid on Tjilatjap is said to damage 15 vessels followed by a list of 11. Several photographs claiming to show Vals show Zero fighters instead. There are many other examples. Contradictions can usually be found, but they throw doubt on other seemingly accurate statements where there is no cross-check. On balance, the book is a good one despite its faults and you are unlikely to find another on the subject in such detail. I would give it 5 stars if it had been better edited, but unfortunately the doubts I have over the accuracy of the details it presents limits me to awarding it 3.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The hammer of Pearl Harbour,
By OldSchoolie (Norfolk, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Aichi D3A1/2 Val (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)
A well constructed and interesting "biography" of the most successful Japanese dive bomber and its operational history.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Val Dive Bomber,
By cpt matt - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Aichi D3A1/2 Val (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)
An excellent, enjoyable read. Peter Smith has written many informative books on aviation, this is no exception. Crowood Aviation series are well written, quality books. This book discusses the origins of dive bombing in the Japanese Navy, the early design of the Val in 1936 through to the deployment in March of 1939. Anyone who knows anything about Pearl Harbor can tell you when this plane made its first impression on the US Navy. About 1500 were made.
The Val was very successful in the early stages of the war. As Allied planes grew more numerous and of better quality, the Val suffered, its last role was as a Kamikaze. There were a few survivors of the war and these are addressed as well. Many clear B&W photos, line drawings showing tactics of the Val, where certain bombs hit US carriers in the Battle of Midway, pilots stories, data, statistics all make this a very good balance between facts/stats and operational history. My one wish - color. No color plates or photos to show the various paint schemes used. I highly recommend this book for aviation or carrier buffs, those interested in the Pacific war, especially if you want to know more about Japanese aircraft. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definitive Book on Japan's Premier Ship-Killer!,
By Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Aichi D3A1/2 Val (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)
Peter C. Smith is THE authority on dive bombing. His reputation is based upon books like AICHI D3A1/2 VAL, an excellent, excellent history of the Japanese dive-bomber that may be the all-time ship-killer in military history. Part of the Crowood Aviation series, Smith's book, published in 1999, is a masterpiece of research and writing, easily deserving a six star rating.
Smith packs an incredible amount of information into the book's 192 pages. After a brief history of dive bombing in Japan, he presents a history of the Aichi Aircraft Company before delving into the development and combat exploits of the Type 99 Val dive-bomber. He provides detailed -and previously unavailable - information on the Val's use over China, Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, Java, Australia, the Indian Ocean sortie, the Coral Sea Battle, Midway, Guadalcanal ops and late-war use as a kamikaze. For each of these actions Smith supplies first-hand accounts from Japanese and Allied participants along with detailed summaries of the bomb hits Vals made on various ships! Smith also profiles notable Type 99 pilots, describes unit markings, surviving Vals and so on. The author really did his homework on this one! The book is brimming with illustrations - 190 black & white photos, maps, aircraft four-views, bomb hit diagrams, performance charts, cockpit schematics, dive-bombing attack diagrams, etc. The only thing missing is color profiles but that may have been a pricing decision on the part of Crowood Press. In short, AICHI D3A1/2 VAL is one impressive package - top-notch research, incredible detail, exciting reading. Long out of print, it now sells for around $90.00. Yet if you are a Pacific air war buff and want to know what Aichi's graceful dive-bomber accomplished, this is the book for you. Military history doesn't get much better than this, folks! |
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