Meatballs and Dead Birds: A Photo Gallery of Destroyed Japanese Aircraft in World War II Paperback – 18 Oct. 2004

This is an interesting book simply because it approaches the subject of World War II Japanese aircraft from a different perspective.Essentially the book is a collection of photographs taken at the end of hostilities and depicts the various abandoned aircraft that littered makeshift airfields across the Pacific. These aircraft are in many states of decay from totally wrecked, stripped for parts or simply abandoned where they stood.The book covers a fairly comprehensive range of aircraft types but don't expect in depth information - the text and some modest statistical data won't offer anything new to the enthusiast but will help to guide the casual reader through the subject.There are a lot of photographs, mostly large and all in black & white. One criticism I have concerns the print quality which I feel is lacking. I think the quality of the original photos is good but let down by the slightly poor contrast of the printing. Perhaps glossy paper would have helped? This is the main reason for dropping the fifth star from this review.I think this book should be seen best as an accompaniment to other more detailed books on Japanese aircraft but as a casual read I did find it interesting and many of the photos were new to me. The book achieves what it sets out to do and deserves credit for filling a niche. Aircraft modellers may also find the views of weathering and damage useful.

Dear Stackpole.I'm not buying any more of your books because the print quality is rubbish. Case in point: Meatballs and Dead Birds. Great book, fantastic, rare photos, commentary is a bit ordinary but I can deal with that. Printing is pathetic. Cheap, nasty paper is the main problem. THIS IS A PHOTO BOOK, YOU NEED GOOD PRINTING. Christ on a bike. Rant finished.

This book was better than I had hoped. Lots of sharp photos of planes that were beautiful even in dismantled or damaged condition. The author keeps things interesting with his stories. The only thing that could have made the book better would to have had even more photos and had the author spent more time in Japan after the war. I understand film was scarce though and soldiers and sailor were eager to go home. For a book first published in the 70s, this one still holds up well and gets a prominent place on my WWII shelf.

正直、これを確認したくて購入した。よく見えない。プラモデルの参考にしたかったのだが。

As a museum volunteer working on the A6M3 Zero at the Commemorative Air Force, Camarillo CA,this photo book is a must have reference.Another senior voltuneers who also has a copy sings praise for this book.Brilliantly written texts and never before heard historic factsadd depth and dimensions to the unique collection of aircraft photos.The author takes the reader through a journeythat's the next best thing to time travel.Highly recommended for museum docents, modellers, technology historians, aviation fans,military buffs, or just curious browsers.

その昔にリリースされ、日本機ファンなら多くの方が既に持っているものと思われる写真集で、戦後日本に進駐したアメリカ陸軍航空軍の地上員達が日本各地で撮影した日本機をまとめている。ただし長らく絶版状態であったため、最近のファンにとっては垂涎の一冊となっており、日本機には興味がなかった自分でも欲しかった本だったので、今回入手できるようになったのは有り難い。しかもこの安さ！惜しむらくは資質が悪いために、写真のクォリティーがイマイチとなってしまったのは残念だ。しかしそれでも本書の素晴らしさをスポイルするものではなく、今でもその興奮は十分伝わってくる。性格上登場する機体は多肢に渡っており、一部の機体に関してはアメリカ軍が作成した性能表などが掲載されている（もっとも、これは既に一冊にまとめられて刊行されているのだが）。前述のように写真自体の再現性に何があるものの極めて資料性の高い一冊であることは間違いなく、日本機ファン以外にもお勧めできる好著であることは間違いない。

I purchased this book after viewing - and liking - a previous book by James P. Gallagher that presented unique photographs of his Southwest Pacific USAAF experience(s) in WW II. This book is still about the authors experience in the SWPA USAAF up to the end of the war, but it provides an entirely different perspective.The emphasis is strictly on aircraft - and on Japanese aircraft at that. The aircraft photographed are in the condition the author found them: abandoned, damaged, semi-destroyed. However, the photos are unique in that they give a real glimpse into real Japanese aitrcraft. Gallagher used his "amateur" camera and technique widely, and wisely. He has captured a wonderfully wide spectrum of JAAF and IJN aircraft for us to view.This volume was originally printed in the early '70's, and has been reprinted in softcover using 8" x 11" landscape format. All pictures are black and white (as are the originals). One could only wish that the publisher had utilized a better quality paper than it did, because that's the only downcheck I can give on the content of ths book.For the military historian, researcher, enthusiast or casually interested party this is a unique volume of historical value because it records actual aircraft in their wartime setting, in their real colors (as described), with exterior, interior structure, and other detail where appropriate. One might truly state that this book is really of unique historical value. The military modeler of Japanese aircraft would also benefit from the book, I believe.