Osprey's Duel series is turning into one that is quite popular with readers. This is the eighth book in the series that covers a wide variety of weapons systems. So far, most of them have been WWII subjects and this one covers two of the more common combattants in the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater of operations; the P-40 Warhawk and Ki-43 Oscar.

Though the P-40 was a somewhat mature aircraft by the time the first Oscars were put into unit service during late 1941, they had their first combat meetings in the skies of Burma during the Japanese invasion of early 1942. The P-40s were, of course, the earlier P-40B/C variants flown by the American Volunteer Group, later known as the Flying Tigers.

The two aircraft were quite different philosophies when it came to designing fighter planes. The Japanese put their emphasis on range and maneuverability, while the American aircraft had heavy armament and speed as its main attributes. The P-40 also had a more robust construction that was much appreciated by its pilots.

In a nutshell, it meant that the P-40 would do diving attacks, blasting away with its 6 .50 cal machine guns while the Oscar relied on classical dog-fighting and in early versions, was hampered by just two rifle calibre machine guns. As long as Allied pilots kept to slashing attacks, they would invariably end up the victor. But this needed altitude to be successful and a Warhawk pilot caught down low was generally dead meat.

In this book, the author, Carl Molesworth, discusses the development of both aircraft as well as their technical specifications and  deployments in the CBI. Pilot training and tactics are also part of the story and one will find a few 'I was there' stories to add some spice to the book. As part of the appendices, there is a section on stats and analysis as well as a listing of those aces on both sides whose scores included a number of the opposing aircraft.

In all, a superlative inclusion to this series and one that I know you will find useful.

April 2008

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