Hiyas Guys
Just before I left for my business trip last week I ordered a new book,and thought I would share my "review" of it with you.
It was the "TAIC Manual, Japanese Aircraft Performance Characteristics" edited and republished by Ed Maloney from Planes of Fame Air Museum. ISBN #: 0-915-464-03-2
The TAIC Manual, was originally issued by the US Naval Intelligence Division, of the Technical Intelligence Air Center (TAIC). This manual was the offical Japanese Aircraft Manual for the Allied Forces during WWII. It was issued to provide up to date Performance and Characteristics data in a useful form for Allied Commands.
Guys I can reccommend this book
highly !!! Its great, it is second only to Francillons, "Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War" for information on Japanese aircraft.
This book contains, almost exclusively technical data (performance tables and technical drawings) for Japanese aircraft, and is only lacking in developement history and historical use of the aircraft. Some of the data is slightly "suspect" since it was war time tests and partially estimates of enemy performance during the war, but most of it is quite accurate and is backed up by post war research.
Each aircraft has technical specs and performance tables, 3 view siloutte diagrams, exhaust flame diagrams (great if nightfighting is ever developed), crew position diagrams, as well as 4 view technical drawings for each aircraft. It also contains several pictures of each aircraft.
Some interesting aspects that this book contains that I have not seen elsewhere on Japanese aircraft, are the "Vulnerability" diagrams for each aircraft, that shows the locations of critical components such as fuel (self sealing and unprotected), oil (protected and unprotected), and oxygen tanks. It also details any installations of armor (locations and thicknesses), and the use of armored glass and windscreens.
It also contains detailed "field of fire & areas of vulnerability" diagrams for defensive guns on bombers and attack aircraft.
It is well worth the $29.95 I paid for it, and if your looking to add to your library on Japanese aircraft, its a "must have".
This book coupled with Francillons book, will just about answer an question you may have on the subject of Japanese WWII Aircraft.
I got mine from Zenith Books here:
http://www.motorbooks.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?index=4&catnom=129268&origq=p%3Dsearch%26mode%3Dquick%26keywords%3DTAIC%26type%3D%26catalog%3Dall%26search.x%3D25%26search.y%3D13 Off for two more weeks of business travel, cya then.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"
