some coral sea questions

[Wildcat1]

Would anyone happen to know what units served on the Japanese carrier zuikaku?

All I know is that every carrier had their own air group, and they had a standard assortment of zekes gals and kates in 1942. However, in my research efforts all I can find about zuikaku's air group is very blunt information. I can't find any specific information, about markings, insignias, pilots etc.

Any details you can surface would be a great help
 

[Bino]

The Combined Fleet web site is a good place to start.  The book that Tully (Combined Fleet site owner) & Parshall wrote about Midway, Shattered Sword, has some info on aircraft markings and a bit about pilots.

Combined Fleet has a link to the J-aircraft Forums, which seems to have some knowledgeable folks posting.

John Lundstrom's The First Team has some *very* detailed information about both the IJN and USN pilots who flew and fought during the first six months of the war.

But as to your very first question, the air unit that served on the Zuikaku was referred to as "the Zuikaku air unit" according to the various books that I've read.  IJN doctrine for most of the war was to treat the aircraft units as integral to the ships that carried them.

Hope this helps.  

[HighTone]

But as to your very first question, the air unit that served on the Shokaku was referred to as "the Zuikaku air unit" according to the various books that I've read.  IJN doctrine for most of the war was to treat the aircraft units as integral to the ships that carried them.

Hope this helps.  

That's the way I have always understood it as well.

[Wildcat1]

thanks guys for the help

 

i dug a little deeper, and i think i hit the jackpot:

http://pacific.valka.cz/planes/ijnaf_marking.htm