Kawanishi H6K 'Mavis' and H8K 'Emily' Units

by Edward M. Young, Gareth Hector (Illustrator), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Overview

An illustrated account of the little-known operations of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's flying boat units during World War 2.

Respectively codenamed the 'Mavis' and 'Emily' by the Allies, Japan's H6K and H8K flying boats outstripped their RAF and US Navy counterparts. The 1941 outbreak of war in the Pacific and Southeast Asia saw these remarkable aircraft carry out offensive missions across vast tracts of ocean and employ their unique capabilities to escort convoys and serve as transports between Japan's island bases. However, while the technical details of the H6K and H8K are well known in the West, this important new study marks the first English-language account of their wartime operations.

Utilizing newly translated Japanese war diaries, as well as Allied intelligence and combat reports, celebrated Pacific War expert Edward M. Young reveals the full story behind the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's flying boat units. Contemporary photos and 22 colour profiles bring new dimensions to this fascinating area of Japanese military history, vividly illustrating the pivotal roles of 'Emily' and 'Mavis' in events including the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway and the fighting in the Aleutians and the Bismarck and Solomon Islands.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472860613
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/15/2024
Series:	Combat Aircraft , #153
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	510,633
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Edward M. Young is the author of numerous books and articles on aviation history. He has a PhD in History from King's College, London, and lives with his wife in Seattle, WA.

Gareth Hector has contributed digital painting to high-profile projects such as Call of Duty and Halo. He has worked on numerous Osprey titles.

Jim Laurier has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on Osprey titles since 2000.
Edward M. Young is a retired financial executive with a BA degree in Political Science from Harvard University and an MA from the University of Washington. In 2015 he received an MA in the History of Warfare from King's College, London and in 2020 completed a PhD in History at King's College. During his career he had assignments in New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. He is the author of numerous books and articles on aviation history. He lives with his wife in Seattle, Washington.
Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing as well as an aviation history enthusiast. He lives in Perthshire, UK.
Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974–78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.

Table of Contents

(Subject to confirmation)
1. Maritime Patrol Aviation in the IJNAF
2. Flying Boat Units in Phase One Operations (8 December 1941 to April 1942)
3. Flying Boat Units in Phase Two Operations (April 1942 to April 1943)
4. Defending the Defensive Barrier (April 1943 to June 1944)
5. Final Defense of Japan (August 1944 to August 1945)