F4F Wildcat Vs A6m2-N Rufe: Solomon Islands 1942-43 - Paperback

$23.00

F4F Wildcat Vs A6m2-N Rufe: Solomon Islands 1942-43 - Paperback

Name: F4F Wildcat Vs A6m2-N Rufe: Solomon Islands 1942-43 - Paperback
Brand: BooksCloud
SKU: 9781472870742
Price: 23.00 USD
Availability: InStock

by Michael John Claringbould

$23.00

Book Overview

An illustrated study of the oft-overlooked engagements between the iconic F4F Wildcat and Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's 6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane during the Solomon Islands campaign.

A number of unique confrontations took place between floatplanes and land-based fighters during the fierce aerial battles fought above the Solomon Islands throughout 1942-43. Whilst the most famous Battle of Guadalcanal "slugfests" saw US Marine Corps/US Navy F4F Wildcats engage the Zero-sens of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force, the pugnacious Wildcats also came up against the A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane - termed the 'Zero on floats' by American pilots. Such encounters have gone under-explored and misrepresented in Western histories, with the elusive capabilities of the 'Rufe' and its role combatting raids against Guadalcanal receiving only scant attention.

In this revelatory study, Pacific War expert Michael John Claringbould uncovers an aspect of the Pacific air war that has, until now, remained largely unknown. Operational documents, combat reports and firsthand accounts from both Wildcat and "Rufe" pilots are combined to help align adversaries, in some cases one-on-one, for the first time in print, while archive photographs, formation diagrams and newly commissioned artwork brings the action to life.

ISBN	9781472870742
Author	Michael John Claringbould
Publisher	Osprey Publishing (UK)
Genre	History
Format	Paperback
Published	August 2026
Language	ENG- English
Pages	80
Weight	1.0 lb
Target Audience	Adults
Print Size	Standard Print