An illustrated study of the oft-overlooked engagements between the iconic F4F Wildcat and Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force's 6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane during the Solomon Islands campaign.
A number of unique confrontations took place between floatplanes and land-based fighters during the fierce aerial battles fought above the Solomon Islands throughout 1942–43. Whilst the most famous Battle of Guadalcanal "slugfests" saw US Marine Corps/US Navy F4F Wildcats engage the Zero-sens of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force, the pugnacious Wildcats also came up against the A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplane – termed the 'Zero on floats' by American pilots. Such encounters have gone under-explored and misrepresented in Western histories, with the elusive capabilities of the 'Rufe' and its role combatting raids against Guadalcanal receiving only scant attention.
In this revelatory study, Pacific War expert Michael John Claringbould uncovers an aspect of the Pacific air war that has, until now, remained largely unknown. Operational documents, combat reports and firsthand accounts from both Wildcat and "Rufe" pilots are combined to help align adversaries, in some cases one-on-one, for the first time in print, while archive photographs, formation diagrams and newly commissioned artwork brings the action to life.
Michael John Claringbould was raised in Papua New Guinea, where he became fascinated by the Pacific air war. An extensive career in the Australian Foreign Service saw him complete six postings within Asia and the Pacific. He is author of numerous books concerning the USAAF Fifth Air Force and Japanese Pacific air power. Appointed an executive member of Pacific Air War History Associates in 2018, Michael is a licensed pilot and also holds an Intermediate paraglider rating. He lives in Australia.
Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing and has also enjoyed a successful career in computer animation. He is an aviation history enthusiast and has contributed to numerous Osprey titles such as B-52 Stratofortress Units in Combat 1992–2025
and RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War. He lives in Perthshire, Scotland.
Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974–78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.
