Osprey Elite 86 : Japanese Naval Aviation Uniforms and Equipment 1937-1945

Gary Nila details the uniforms, dress, flight gear and personal weaponry of the Imperial Japanese Navy airmen of World War II. Each chapter looks at a different piece of clothing or equipment, and involves detailed descriptions of flight gear, including manufacture information, and integrates personal interviews with IJN pilots such as Sakai, Komachi, Tanimizu, Kawato and Saito regarding their personal use or recollections of use of the items under discussion. Also discussed is the distinction of such equipment to that of the Japanese Army, for whom numerous variant models were introduced. Packed with great contemporary illustrations, photographs of original items, and colour artwork plates, this book provides a meticulously detailed and long overdue examination of the dress and equipment of the Imperial Japanese Navy's aviators in World War II. The text is accompanied by illustrations by Bill Younghusband.

Contents

• Introduction
• Flight Helmets
• Flight Goggles
• Mufflers - Scarves
• Flight Suits
• Flight Boots
• Floatvests
• Gauntlets & Gloves
• Parachute Harnesses
• Flight Clocks and Watches
• Flight Insignia
• Flight Calculators
• Voicetalkers - Oxygen Mask
• Plotting Boards
• Personal Weapons
• Translations - Glossary - Marker Labels
• Bibliography - Further Reading
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Index