by Michael John Claringbould.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 80 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: Solomon Islands 1942-43
Long-time readers of my AAR know of my fondness for Claringbould books and booklets. This one offers the usual Osprey Duel focus on two specific opponents and draws on Claringbould’s extensive knowledge and research into WWII air operations in the Pacific theater.
The usual technical specs, pilot training, dogfighting doctrine, and combat recaps of a Duel series aircraft booklet are included, although I warn you that specific F4F vs Rufe combats were relatively rare — the Japanese often had other floatplanes in any particular dogfight and the US often had other aircraft in such aerial melees as well.
Most said duels were in 1942 as after that, both planes were increasingly being replaced by other types. Indeed, the combat examples include other aircraft types that were part of the dogfights.
That said, you’d think the dogfights would be one-sided, but not exactly. It seems odd that a float plane, even one based on a Zero, would stand a chance, but maneuverability and pilot skill had much to do with the outcome.
The booklet contains 56 black and white photos, two color photos, two color maps, six color camouflage illustrations, two color cockpit illustrations, two color weapon illustrations, and one color two-page action illustration.
For another publisher, Claringbould wrote a series examining Solomon Islands air combats in great detail. Consider this Duel booklet a hyper-focused subset of that topic, with specialized information pertaining to the F4F and Rufe specs, deployments, and air combats.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
