Pacific Profiles Vol 8

IJN Floatplanes in the South Pacific 1942-1944

by Michael Claringbould

Avonmore Books

Reviewed by David Couche

This book, the “Pacific Profiles Vol 8, IJN Floatplanes in the South Pacific - 1942-1944 ” describes these aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, in a variety of roles and based in the Southern Pacific from 1942 until 1944.

World-renown for his expertise in Japanese aerial warfare in the Pacific, Michael Claringbould, presents this book in chapters on each of the Air Units of the Imperial Japanese Navy that were stationed in and fought in the South Pacific.

Volume Eight of the Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate profiles and histories to date of Imperial Japanese Navy floatplanes which served in the South Pacific theatre, throughout New Guinea and the Solomons. The markings of the seven floatplane types deployed in the theatre are covered: the A6M2-N Rufe, E8N2 Dave, E13A1 Jake, F1M2 Pete, E7K Alf, E9W Slim and E14Y Glen.

Floatplane operations commenced in January 1942 with the invasion of Rabaul. Later Rufes were often misidentified as Zeros with their presence in the Solomons seemingly ubiquitous. Petes often fought Allied fighters, with other types focused on reconnaissance and occasional bombing missions, sometimes at night. Most floatplane activity had ceased by late 1943, leaving a handful of stay-behinds operating from Rabaul and Kavieng.

Illustrated, unit by unit, are examples of the varied types of markings, camouflage and tail code systems which appeared on floatplanes assigned to sea tenders, shore, ship and submarine-based units. Each of the 76 profiles draws on evidence from colour photos, Combined Fleet orders, POW interrogations, technical reports and post-war wreck surveys. Brief histories of every unit include their role in the theatre and defines the ever-changing markings systems as ordained by Tokyo. Numerous maps and diagrams help the reader understand command structures such as the R-Area Air Force and the 11th Seaplane Tender Division.

Michael opens this book with a brief introduction with explanatory notes, glossary of terms and with a timeline as well as maps of the locations where they were based in the South Pacific.

Following on is a chapter covering pre-war IJN floatplane markings. The author covers the insignia, serials, and stencils, used on the aircraft and the styles of markings, along with some excellent supporting photographs of these floatplanes. The book continues by looking at the “R-Area Air Force” with the R referring to the Rabaul area. The dispositions of the IJN forces have 2 charts showing seaplane tender ships and what aircraft were attached to each in November and then December 1942.

Michael then looks at each of the floatplane’s units and ships, with each getting a dedicated chapter. As per previous reviews, I’ve given you the first couple of these chapters complete so you can see the depth of information and detail in the rest of the book. The final 3 chapters covers floatplanes of other miscellaneous unit, battleships, cruisers as well as submarine-based floatplanes.

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The chapters of the book are:

1. Pre-war IJN Floatplane Markings
2. R-Area Air Force
3. No. 17 Kokutai
4. Yokohama Kokutai (fighter wing)
5. Chitose Air Unit
6. Kiyokawa Maru Air Unit
7. Kamikawa Maru Air Unit
8. Kunikawa Maru Air Unit
9. Sanyo Maru Air Unit
10. Sanuki Maru Air Unit
11. No. 14 Kokutai, (fighter wing)
12. No. 802 Kokutai
13. No. 938 Kokutai
14. No. 958 Kokutai
15. Miscellaneous Units
16. Battleships. Cruisers and Minelayers
17. Submarine based floatplanes

Each of these Units has detailed notes on what type and variant of aircraft flew, at what time period as well as other valuable information. Each chapter follows the same construction with written text on that unit, a page (and often more than one page) of numbered aircraft profiles with more detailed notes on the adjoining page. There are original historical photographs of those aircraft which provides an excellent reference for those of us who are modellers.

This book, the eighth volume of the Pacific Profiles series, is another excellent reference for modellers with an interest in the South Pacific theatre, especially builders of Japanese aircraft. As someone with quite a few IJN floatplanes still sitting in my stash, I would see this as a highly desireable addition to your library and highly recommend  and will be definitely using this book for my references in these builds with the problem being which ones to do with so many choices.

Thanks to Avonmore Books for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2022 by David Couche
This Page Created on 15 November, 2022
Last updated 15 November, 2022

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