Reference Library Help Please

[Bob Hritz]

I would appreciate a book list for Japanese Navy and Army uniforms and equipment, to incluce the flying arms. I have had little luck with books, in English, on the Japanese Navy.

I have:

Tadao Nakata: Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Uniforms

Mike Hewitt: Imperial Japanese Army in WWII

US Govt: Handbook on Japanese Military Forces

Osprey: # 362 and 369: The Japanese Army 1931-1945 Vols 1 and 2

I would appreciate any help and suggestions on building a library.

Thank you,
Bob

[rick123]

Hello Bob,I would suggest a Fantastic Book I got form a Japanese Seller on E-bay Titled "Japanese Military Uniforms 1930 - 1945 by Ritta Nakanishi.

[Jareth]

problem with Nakanishi's book is it's primarily illustration. Not great ones at that. Lot's of mistakes as well. Here are two I can add to your list( 1) "Japanese Naval Aviation Uniforms and Equipment 1937-45" By Gary Nila. Osprey Publishing 2002. ISBN 1 84176 465 5 (2) "Aviator Uniforms & Equipment of I.J.N" Model Art/Modeling Magazine 2004, www.modelart.jp. Let me/us know if your looking for pistol, rifle, bayonet and medals/orders books as well. I don't collect or own swords so I can't help there

[Staldion]

What do you think of Military swords of Japan 1868-1945 by R.Fuller and R.Gregory ?

I own one of them and it serve me very well, wide descriptions of all the elements of the swords, from blade to tassel, knots, belt and the story of each weapon. It cover the naval dirk and leather cover too.

The book would have be better with colored photo but the b&w ones are very clear. If there is something better please let me know.

[Bob Hritz]

I have a fine library on Japanese swords and medals, but am having a hard time on the uniforms and equipment. It seems that Army Air Force avaition is very weak in the US language.

Bob Hritz

[kaigunair]

There are several other titles from osprey, although my personal favorite is, of course, Osprey Elite 86, since I made the cover :

Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces: Uniforms and equipment 1932-45 (Men-at-Arms)

and

Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II (Elite) (Paperback)

[mcmike]

[quote=kaigunair;3476188]There are several other titles from osprey, although my personal favorite is, of course, Osprey Elite 86, since I made the cover :

Here it is in all of it's gory.....I mean glory, at http://www.naval-military-press.com/images/T/18693.jpg.



My god, that uniform looks like it was just PAINTED on.

[kaigunair]

interesting...but that's the early pre-publishing cover. the cover that was published actually shows me in an NLF officer's tunic also.

was definitely a once-in-a life time experience, totally unexpected, and with total props going to Gary Nila, a great friend and mentor.

regarding the gory/glory comment:
"I never said I was a model, I just portray one in military books!"

just to keep this thread on topic, you could also add books by Henry Sakaida, which along with their great history, have pics that are interesting/rare/helpful to the aspiring collector (hehe, one of the pics from the same photo shoot that didn't make the osprey book was later used in Genda's blade [thanks henry!]):

Genda's Blade : 343 Kokutai - Japan's Squadron of Aces

Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 22)

Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937-1945 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 13)

I-400 Japan's Secret Aircraft-Carrying Strike Submarine - Objective Panama Canal

Aces of the Rising Sun 1937-1945

[kaigunair]

for reference for aircraft instruments:

Japanese Aircraft Interiors 1940-1945 by Robert C. Mikesh (hard to find and out of print)

Japanese aircraft equipment 1940-1945 by Mikesh

both are large volumes and a very authoritive....

[mcmike]

Bob: see http://www.castle-thunder.com/wforum...4283b431b0a44f