Tainan Books, a new publisher of WWII Japanese aviation subjects is preparing to take off. Eagles of the Southern Sky is planned to be a massive 360+ page, 14-chapter history of the Tainan Air Group, full of illustrations and profiles.

Eagles of the Southern Sky is a mammoth work researched and written by two WW2 authors, four contributing editors, and many consultants whose expertise is the Pacific air war. The authors are Michael John Claringbould and Luca Ruffato, supported by the niche expertise of Steve Birdsall, Larry Hickey, Ed DeKiep, and Gordon Birkett.

EAGLES of the SOUTHERN SKY is a book which encapsulates the complete history of the Tainan Naval Air Group in New Guinea, from 1 April through to mid-November 1942 (please note that it does not cover the East Indies or Guadalcanal campaigns). The book sets new landmarks for historical detail, with many 'Firsts'. For the first time both the Japanese and Allied accounts have been fully reconciled. The substantive text of 170,000 words is enhanced by:

- color profiles of 27 Tainan Zero fighters with a history of each aircraft, color profiles of 41 Allied aircraft against whom they fought, including RAAF No. 75 Squadron Kittyhawks, as well as numerous profiles of Japanese aircraft with whom the Tainan fought alongside;

- rare photos, never published before, from both the Allied and Japanese side;

- 26 paintings of combat over New Guinea, with reference material being aerial photography of the areas of New Guinea over which the Tainan fought;

- detailed appendices including losses, Tainan markings, crew rosters, and reference appendix.

The 361-page book, with 26 pages in color, will be printed on semi-gloss surface.

Eagles of the Southern Sky is expected to be published in July 2012. Look for a sample to be reviewed here on Aeroscale! Tainan will notify you when the book is ready for ordering if you contact them at [email protected]

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.