 Sopwith
Camel vs Fokker Dr. I
Duel #7
By Jon Guttman
Osprey Publishing, ©2008
ISBN 978-1-84603-293-6
Softbound, 80 Pages
P-40 Warhawk vs Ki-43 Oscar
Duel #8
By Carl Molesworth
Osprey Publishing, ©2008
ISBN 978-1-84603-295-0
Softbound, 80 Pages
Osprey’s Duel series is proving to be quite popular and the two
latest titles cover an obvious pairing and a less apparent pairing. Duel
#7 pits the Sopwith Camel against the Fokker Dr I on the Western Front,
while Duel #8 has the P-40 Warhawk up against the Ki-43 Oscar in China.
For those new to the Duel series, these books examine two combat types
(the series includes armor and naval subjects in addition to aviation)
and place them in the context of their wartime years.
The first title, Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I, describes the challenges
of establishing aerial superiority over the trenches in 1917. As technology
advanced at breakneck speed, each side held advantages and control of
the air switched on a regular basis. By 1917, speed, maneuverability,
and firepower all were significantly more than when the war began in 1914.
From this came the Sopwith and Fokker designs, the Camel and Dr I, aircraft
easily equated with the First World War and given almost mythic status.
The reality is a bit different, for although they were maneuverable aircraft,
their rotary engines kept them slow compared to other types. Still, the
two aircraft were a good match for one another, which makes them an excellent
subject for the Duel Series.
 For the second
title, the pairing seems a little less likely. The P-40 was a sturdy aircraft
with plenty of armament and armor, but at a cost in the form of poor performance
at altitude and a slower speed. The Ki-43, on the other hand, was a very
agile fighter, easily out-turning the P-40. It too purchased this performance
at a cost, with insufficient armament and weak armoring. Both early designs
that were outdated by other types, they still had plenty of fight in them
when they clashed during the air war supporting the Japanese Ichi-Go campaign
in 1944. During this campaign, the P-40 and Ki-43 engaged in some of the
toughest dogfights in China.
Although the subjects differ, the format for the two books is identical.
Each begins with a chronology to place the aircraft in context. Following
this is a very detailed text on the design and development of each aircraft,
along with an overview of the technical specifications of each plane.
With that background information finished, the remainder of the book covers
the combat operations, including a strategic overview, an examination
of the pilots, and an analysis of the combat. Rounding out each book are
chapters providing statistics and the aftermath. Profusely illustrated
with stunning color artwork and period photos, the book provides a thorough
history on the interactions of their two subject aircraft.
The Osprey Duel series provides a different look at some well-known
subjects, and by examining them in the concept of a pairing, the strengths
and weaknesses of each type become more apparent. As such, these become
a great companion to other titles detailing the specific aircraft and
can become an important part of any aviation reference library. My thanks
to Osprey Publishing for the review copies. |
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