JAS Jottings
The Quarterly Magazine of the
Japanese Aviation Special Interest Group
of IPMS-UK, Vol. 9, No. 1,
February 2003

Reviewed by Jim Schubert

JAS Jottings is a more serious, scholarly treatise than Bent Throttles and treats each subject that it addresses in great and rewarding depth. This 34 page issue continues with Part 4 of the evolution of the Japanese reconnaissance seaplane and with Part 6 of a fine in-depth review of Japanese aero engines and concludes the A to Z of Japanese imported aircraft in the 14th part of this exhaustive summary. Part 2 of Crossing The Pacific takes us through the 1931 Sabishiro-Wenatchee flight by Clyde Pangborn, of Wenatchee, Washington and his partner Hugh Herndon in their Bellanca Skyrocket Miss Veedol and the failed Hochi Nichi-Bei No. 2 flight in a Junkers A50 in March 1932.

Part 2 of a Performance Comparison of Allied & Japanese Fighter Aircraft 1943-5 concludes with comparisons of wing loading, rate of fire, throw-weight and armor. If you are at all curious about the technicalities of what makes a good fighter this long two part article by Dr. Andrew Johnson will inform you

A new series on JA & JNAF Aircraft Colors , based on recently discovered WWII documentation in a private collection in Japan, promises to be a worthwhile adjunct to the works of Bueschel, Thorpe, Baker and Fear's. The content of this issue is filled out with SIG news, book, kit and decal reviews.

Contact the SIG leader, Peter Starkings, for details re membership. He accepts US dollar checks! If you are a Nipponophile like me you ought to belong to this Special Interest Group. IPMS membership is recommended but not required.