With 552 pages (including 132 in colour) plus four x B2 fold-outs
(two with technical drawings and two with colour profiles and maps) plus
72-page full colour map book. 465 photographs, 99 tables, 175 technical
drawings, 430 colour profiles (2D and 3D) and 95 maps.
The first of its kind on the market, this publication covers in great
detail the technical and combat employment of this class of aircraft carriers.
The Essex Class became a symbol of American air power on the seas and
significantly contributed to the US victory over Japan in the war
in the Pacific.
The book contains full technical coverage, including many details
regarding the ships and their aircraft. One of the sections is devoted to the
development of radar equipment used on American naval vessels during WW II, with
emphasis on the carriers (many CAD drawings of various radar antennas).
Another section presents all types of radar equipment installed in
the various aircraft (fighter, bomber and torpedo-bomber) that were stationed on
the carriers. A chronology of operations of the Essex-class carriers is
presented in a table. The history of each Essex
is presented on many pages, with a description of practically all of the combat
operations in which it took part. Data giving the locations of individual
carriers during the actions in the Pacific during 1943-1945 is given in tables
on 26 pages. This information is not limited to the Essex-class; locations of
the CVL and CVE-class carriers are also given. Presented also are the names of
the commanders of the individual ships, as well as the commanders and orders of
battle of the various squadrons and air groups stationed on them.
Additionally, the book contains 60 tables, which present the complete
order of battle of all air groups (CAG/CVG) that operated on the decks of
Essex-class carriers during WW II. The number and condition of each aircraft
type is given. This information is presented in 2-week intervals, allowing for
an examination of the history of their use. The book also contains a wealth of
information regarding the various aircraft (Hellcat, Corsair, Dauntless,
Helldiver and Avenger).
A separate Map book is included. In addition to maps of the
better-known operations and actions, such as in the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima or
Okinawa, many other actions at less-known
atolls and islands, where aircraft from the Essex-class carriers participated,
are presented. Many maps are devoted to the operations of Task Force 38 and Task
Force 58 during 1944-1945. On them are marked the locations of the sinking or
damage of almost all Japanese naval vessels, as well as the bombing of land
targets.
The book is completed with the addition of perfectly drawn colour
profiles; all camouflage variants of the Essex
carriers and all types of the aircraft stationed on them. The book and B2 sheets
present computer drawings and 2D and 3D colour profiles of the following
Essex-class carriers: Intrepid CV-11 from January 1944 and June 1944, Lexington
CV-16 from October 1944 and Randolph CV-15 from January
1945.
