Here in the 'West' one doesn't find too much about Japanese WWII units. Nothing like the flood of material for US and German forces as well as other Allied countries. It is too bad as many of us really like to build and read about things Japanese. There is a lot of stuff in Japanese, but rarely is it translated so that we can understand what's going on. Photos are fine, but there is often more to a book than just pictures. I know that I haven't forgotten how to read!

This book follows in the usual Kagero format of having a card cover, 96 pages, dual Polish and English write-up, and a free goodie. In this case it is a few cockpit bits for the Ki-43 in both 1/72 and 1/48 by Part. There are also the usual profiles on the covers and a fold-out on the inside.

Due to the real lack of available photos of Japanese aircraft in general and 64 Sentai ones in particular, there is a lot of information given in this particular book. What photos there are were mostly new to me so that is a real plus. As with most of these unit books, the format is more like a diary with much of the unit's movements and combats presented. I found it most interesting just how effective the squadron was in the early years of the war, and how they continued to try to fight in the last years even though they were horribly out-numbered in the air. I also found it interesting that the Sentai operated the Ki-43 almost exclusively for that entire time. There were Ki-44s used sporadically for nearly a year, but no photos of those planes in 64 Sentai markings seemed to have survived.

Overall, I'd have to give this book a two thumbs up. The writing is good with few syntax errors and it is most interesting reading. It is a book that I can recommend to those interested in the subject.

Purchased by me.

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