A lesson that was learned the hard way in WWII is that while it is nice to have a large bomber and fighter force, you also need to have a good sized air transport arm. These aircraft are used to move men and materiel to the front and to do so in a timely manner. Of all the belligerents, Germany probably had the best force of Ju-52s and even that was not enough. The United States and Great Britain had little ready to go and relied on impounded airliners until things got going. Eventually, it was the C-46 and C-47 that was able to meet many of the demands of Allied air transport.

Despite getting into the war a few years after the others, the Japanese had almost nothing in the way of air transport. What little they did have were Fokker Universal airliners as well as some rather small, C-45 sized transports used to haul VIPs, and an adaptation of the Ki-21, the MC-21. Ironically, the best transport in Japanese service during the start of the war, though in tiny numbers, was a license built DC-3. This aircraft continued to be built during the war but was still not built in sufficient numbers.

This book by Giusepe Picarella takes a good look at the condition of Japanese Army and Navy military air transportation during the Pacific War. It is an area that has gotten very little press and even less research as most enthusiasts are more interested in fighters and bombers than transports. Though titled 'experimental transports', the book also covers to a lesser degree, those that were in service.

Logically, there are sections that deal with Army and Navy transports separately, as there was little sharing of aircraft types between the two services. We begin with an overview of Army and then Navy transports, how the units were arranged and employed before going into a section on the use of these planes in paratroop and special operations. It would probably not be surprising for you to learn that many 'transport' aircraft were simply converted obsolescent bombers.

We then get into the experimental types. These are aircraft that were either under serious consideration for construction, or those that were built and tested. The cover aircraft is a prime example of the latter. Then there is a section on gliders as used by the Japanese as well as separate sections covering Navy and Army types. Like the Germans, the Japanese did power some of its gliders with low rated engines in an effort to increase transport capabilities.

A large section is dedicated to the use of transports for the various surrender delegations as well as Japanese transport operations immediately post war. Just because the Allies were victorious, does not mean that Japanese troops were stranded, but these men had to be brought home and liaison still needed to be conducted from the various areas of the old Empire. This was done using Japanese planes and crews, assisted by Allied ground crews.

There are sections on test flying some of these aircraft as well as surviving airframes and a large photo section containing a potpourri of types. The book ends with the usual appendices containing tables of stats on the various types.

The total result is the best look at transport types of all types as used by the Japanese during WWII. A book that has to be the best yet done in the West and perhaps the best done anywhere. I found it to be a truly fascinating read and a great look into this little covered aspect of military aviation. A book that is a must have for Japanese aircraft fans and one that I can most highly recommend for great information and superb photographs (several of them in full color).

January 2012

Review book courtesy of MMP Books, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. The book is also available through Casemate Publishing in the US and Platypus Publications in Australia.

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