The Ship Model Forum

The Illustrated Directory of Warships, paperback, ISBN: 0760311277, author D. Miller.

I found this book today, at a local shopping mall bookseller. I made my buying decision within about 18 seconds, when I turned to the page dedicated to the IJN Shinano. Right then and there, I knew, for there was a beautiful, broadside-view photograph of....

....................a Shokaku-class carrier!


(The book remains on the shelf, if anyone would like it)

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Danny DON'T "waterline"...!

He could be an idiot, or the pictures could have been shuffled by the editor. There are many mistakes of this sort in Friedman's USNI design histories.

It might be hasty to blame the author; it's a shame the editors believe themselves to be beyond error.

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If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

I call your attention to my original post's subject. I don't believe the author had alot to do with the gaff. I only included the author to help ID the volume for those who aren't good at ISBN's.

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Danny DON'T "waterline"...!

Quite so.

So much good work is destroyed by the functionary who acts as editor.

I do criticize the author for not combing the galleys. In this day and age there is little excuse, since corrections can be made a day before the product goes to press.

Don Glut's Dinosaurs, including suppliments 1-4 (a total of 5,000 pages) all received updates within hours of press. They are among the most up to date (and impressive) references in the industry. There is no excuse for editorial error except perhaps author detachment from the works.

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If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

The fact, well and universally known amongst all WWII carrier afictionados, that no beautiful, boradside-view photos of Shimano exists, should tell you something about the knowledge and expertise of the particular editor in question.

There is the one, a waterline view with Scotch tape across it.

It is a shame that the Japanese decided to destroy the records of so many ships and programs. It makes our job as historians so much more difficult.

For many ships like Taiho, we are left with periscope pictures or amateur snaps which have only come to light by accident.

I believe the views of Yamato on sea trials are private photos which exist only because they were not in the official collections burned under orders in 1945.

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If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

It's not just a case of them being burned out by orders,

But the Americans with their fire raids are also very responsible for this!

According to a history I read, all design plans and photos for Yamato and a number of additional ships were burned by the admiral in charge of design personally, on orders from the Admiralty.

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If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

I was speaking more generally for Japanese Warships in WW2 and why always there is a lack of war-time photographs. From what I read many of the best Naval archives were burned to the ground from US bombing.

Judging by similar books compiled by the same author listed on Amazon, they were bolted together using stuff that has been knocking around for a while, and without any particular expert knowledge of the subject. Usual coffee table stuff.

If you want a prize example of how not to edit a book, try the Osprey New Vanguard on German WW2 destroyers.

I beg to differ re broadside pics of the Shinano existing. There are numerous detailed pics in a private collection in Japan and 2 films, one of launching and one fitting out. Neither will be published in the forseeable future unfortunately. I only know because I was custodian of them for a while until they were returned to Japan. No, I did not make copies and no, I cannot discuss them - honour thing.

FYI there is an awful lot of Info and pics about the IJN that has not been published to date, really interesting stuff that has yet to be released, and when it is it will only be in obscure Japanese publications, like University papers etc.

Patience grasshopper.

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Art
NZBG
The world is but one country and mankind its citizens.

[quote="Werner"]It is a shame that the Japanese decided to destroy the records of so many ships and programs. It makes our job as historians so much more difficult.

For many ships like Taiho, we are left with periscope pictures or amateur snaps which have only come to light by accident.

Yes, Werner, the way I understand it, the Japanese after the surrender and before occupation troops arrived, set about to burn all the naval records, logs, photographs etc. etc. that they could lay their hands on. As you say, what's left is around by pure accident or were personal photos taken with cheap cameras and film. This is SO frustrating for us interested in Japanese ships. Even the well know Fukui albums [I have all 4] often have poor photos. The BB volume though, does have many wonderful photos of between wars dreadnought battleships. The Carrier book has few good photos, the ones you've seen a thousand times before

Art,
Interesting information, I believe that it is very possible some good quality photos did survive. Private persons may very well have held onto or preserved offical photos. One would guess a publisher would pay good money for a right to print them in some form of naval/warship book. What I wouldn't give to see some quality pictures of Taiho and Shokaku/Zuikaku! How's things in N.Z.? My favorite country in the world Hope to get down there again some day.
Bob B.

Is there 4 volumes of Fukui photo albums I only have three!!!

These are my 3 which I am I missing or is it a totally different series that you refer to Bob???

http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv1.jpg
http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv2.jpg
http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv3.jpg

[quote="Lozza1981

Is there 4 volumes of Fukui photo albums I only have three!!!

These are my 3 which I am I missing or is it a totally different series that you refer to Bob???

http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv1.jpg
http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv2.jpg
http://www.widdo.net/laurence/japv3.jpg[/quote]


Sorry, I may have taken a liberty on that one. There is a forth volume called "Fighting Ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy" It is in the same format as the other three volumes , just a tiny bit smaller in size. This book covers the entire WWII IJN. From BBs to China gunboats. Many of the same photos as the previous three volumes and printed after those three. The photo reproduction is as good as the first three and has alot of Destroyer photos which is why I hold on to it for dear life!
I will admit, Fukui's name is not on this book in English. So one might not class it as being his. Though almost all the photos are his. I bought it through a Japanese bookstore in California who special ordered it for me from Japan at the time it was printed. I learned of it's printing from a mention in Warship International. Perhaps you do have it, and just don't consider it a Fukui book? Being exactly like the previous three, I just assumed it was Fukui's.

Bob B.

Have been in drydock for repairs.
Add; Fighting Ships of The Imperial Japanese Navy by Fukui, plus some others which are somewhere in boxes.
HMS Skate, I know the story of that and other models.
Call me on Sunday around ^pm NYC time.

Another letter is on its way to you.

I don't have your tel. number anymore as I had to wipe the pc.

email it again please
laurence@widdo.net

Is the book you refer to this one???

http://www.widdo.net/laurence/fukui4.jpg