by Richard Dunn | Mar 6, 2026 | Japanese
The Arrival of the Type 1 Fighter in the Southeast Area The Japanese Army Air Force Type 1 fighter (Ki 43) arrived in New Guinea in December 1942 as part of the JAAF’s contribution to help bolster air power in the Japanese Southeast Area comprised of New Guinea and...
by Richard Dunn | Feb 12, 2026 | Japanese
The story of early operations of the elegant looking Japanese Army Type 3 Fighter is one that should be told. Despite having great potential, the fighter was initially a disappointment to the Japanese command at a critical period. This attempt to tell the story is...
by Richard Dunn | Jan 2, 2026 | Japanese
During World War II, Japanese Zero fighters ranged far beyond the better-known battlefields of the Pacific, operating over the Bay of Bengal in defense of Japan’s southern resource area. This article examines the little-documented history of Imperial Japanese Navy Air...
by Richard Dunn | Nov 30, 2025 | Japanese
I have written about the Zero 21’s maximum speed previously in this article. Published sources list Zero 21 performance across a surprisingly wide range. In addition to older references, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum currently has an article on its website stating...
by Richard Dunn | Nov 3, 2025 | Japanese
In the summer of 1940, the Mitsubishi Type Zero carrier fighter fresh from service testing was sent to China for its introduction to combat. From its first engagement with Chinese fighters, it achieved amazing success. Chinese fighters soon began avoiding combat. Over...
by Richard Dunn | Jul 3, 2025 | Japanese
This article focuses on one pilot’s story—Lt. Noriyuki Saito, a Japanese fighter pilot who flew missions over Burma during WWII. Through his experience, we gain rare perspective and insight into the other side of the Burma air war. His story sheds light on the...
