Japanese Secret Projects:Experimental Aircraft of the IJA & IJN 1939-1945

Hikoki1946 said:
... Due to a highly restrictive budget, it was less expensive to source photographs than commission original artwork. Don't get me wrong, .... So, hopefully this change of pace in regards to illustration won't disappoint.
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Oh Yes, I can understand You so much, ??? since I had the same problem with my once "Chinese Secret Projects" book, which is now "Dragon's Wings-Chinese Military Aviation Since 1949" !

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,16508.0.html


As such all the best for Your project ... ;)
Deino
 
So far, the photographs outnumber the art 2 to 1. In a recent email from the publisher, they want to have JSP2 out on the shelves by Fall 2013. :)
 
Just received the mock-up for the JSP2 cover depicting two Nakajima Ki-117 high altitude fighters in formation. Art by Daniel Uhr.
 

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Superb! But keep in mind: the Nakajima Ki-117 was not (to be) a normally-sized Ki-84. Everything about its dimensions was to be a bit larger and heavier et al (including its propeller and landing-gear). Because, anyone who thinks they can merely stuff that larger and heavier Nakajima engine into its current (Ki-84) airframe (as is) - is not a serious engineer. Ditto any 'phony' submittal to some IPMS show merely by 'labeling' an out-of-box Ki-84 as some 'Ki-117' - would not get by me (as a judge). Otherwise, this new volume is shaping up to be even a greater disclosure than its first one.
 
I sent Daniel a 3-view of the Ki-117 given in Shigeru Nohara's The XPlanes of Imperial Japanese Army & Navy to use for reference.


;D

Circumspect said:
Superb! But keep in mind: the Nakajima Ki-117 was not (to be) a normally-sized Ki-84. Everything about its dimensions was to be a bit larger and heavier et al (including its propeller and landing-gear). Because, anyone who thinks they can merely stuff that larger and heavier Nakajima engine into its current (Ki-84) airframe (as is) - is not a serious engineer. Ditto any 'phony' submittal to some IPMS show merely by 'labeling' an out-of-box Ki-84 as some 'Ki-117' - would not get by me (as a judge). Otherwise, this new volume is shaping up to be even a greater disclosure than its first one.
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Indeed we do have a cover. The text is about wrapped up with a handful of chapters left. The main part will be waiting for the various profiles to come in.

pathology_doc said:
We have a cover now? This is good. Definite progress. Looking forward to it.
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ov-101 said:
Frankly cover picture is far from satisfaction.
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Please develop. The choice of aircraft may not be a favorite of mine nor a highly mysterious shape, but the painting is high quality material as usual.
 
Not everyone will agree with my choice of using the Ki-117 on the cover but there were factors involved that moved me to that direction. In any case, about all of the really mysterious aircraft were discussed in the first Japanese Secret Projects book. In that introduction, I wrote that much of the more conventional experimental aircraft were omitted from the text. Thankfully, with the success of the first book, Ian Allan took on the sequel which allowed me to add in many of the aircraft left out.

Stargazer2006 said:
ov-101 said:
Frankly cover picture is far from satisfaction.
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Please develop. The choice of aircraft may not be a favorite of mine nor a highly mysterious shape, but the painting is high quality material as usual.
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I don't like the cover too. I know this is a book for people who likes it with knowledge about the subject but I don't find especially appealing that aircraft.

The aircraft can be very significative from an historic point of view but it looks too normal. A perfect example of opposite is your previous book with the twin boom project in the cover that's was eye catching. Another example I never thought to buy a book about US Navy until I saw the cover of Secret Aerospace Projects of the U.S. Navy: The Incredible Attack Aircraft of the USS United States, 1948-1949. I really bought the book for the cover.
I think the best option is an unconventional aircraft like the Mitsubishi Ki-167 for the cover o a bigger one: Kawanishi KX-03.

I've to wait until I've the book on my hands but for what I can see in the image this is looking to contrasting. The art of Daniel sometimes is too colorful and with a high contrast the result isn't too good. That happened a lot on your previous book with some art from Daniel.

I don't want to sound to harsh, as fan of Japanese I'm going to buy it anyway but I think some points can be better.
 
Ahh...go ahead with that cover! Anyone who's already in-the-know (as to this 2nd-tome) should be already matured enough to expect its further emphasis on disciplined truth-procedures (rather than some Tokyorama X-plane to save Japan from Operation Olympic and Coronet)! I would, however, welcome any addenda or errata to amend the first volume, accrued by further reflections. cheers.
 
Given that the publisher is clamoring for a cover, this is the one I'm going with (the KX-03 was considered but due to the constraints of the cover design, nixed). I like the cover. It is very nicely done and has dynamic. I understand that covers are meant to catch the eye on the shelves. But, for as long as JSP1 has been out, I have never seen it in any bookstore shelf. You can order it through them, of course, but they don't stock it as a regular book for their stores so, there is no competition with other books on the shelves.


As for addenda and errata, if there is enough word count left, perhaps that might occur. :)



Circumspect said:
Ahh...go ahead with that cover! Anyone who's already in-the-know (as to this 2nd-tome) should be already matured enough to expect its further emphasis on disciplined truth-procedures (rather than some Tokyorama X-plane to save Japan from Operation Olympic and Coronet)! I would, however, welcome any addenda or errata to amend the first volume, accrued by further reflections. cheers.
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I'm wondering if the word "Japanese" shouldn't be in white instead. In black it almost disappears against the very deep blue sky.

Besides, white and red would repeat the colors of the Hinomaru.
 
Hikoki1946 said:
It is very nicely done and has dynamic. I understand that covers are meant to catch the eye on the shelves. But, for as long as JSP1 has been out, I have never seen it in any bookstore shelf. You can order it through them, of course, but they don't stock it as a regular book for their stores so, there is no competition with other books on the shelves.
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I never talked about shelves, I was talking about mails from amazon or the images displayed while you're looking for books.
 

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The cover looks good enough to me. I don't often stare at the cover, especially once its on my bookshelves. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to this companion volume and with this and the Italian projects book it looks like I'm going to have to treat myself soon to an expensive book order!
 
I agree with Gatoraptor about the word "Japanese". Also, is there anything in the title which both distinguishes it from the first volume and makes it clear that this is the sequel?


I ask because some books (e.g. Norman Friedman's tome on modern British cruisers; John Forbat's book on TSR2 systems and assorted post-Red-Dean GW projects) have been issued with different titles and/or covers depending on location, and you don't want someone refusing this book because they mistakenly think it's a reissue or variant cover of the original.
 
pathology_doc said:
I agree with Gatoraptor about the word "Japanese". Also, is there anything in the title which both distinguishes it from the first volume and makes it clear that this is the sequel?


I ask because some books (e.g. Norman Friedman's tome on modern British cruisers; John Forbat's book on TSR2 systems and assorted post-Red-Dean GW projects) have been issued with different titles and/or covers depending on location, and you don't want someone refusing this book because they mistakenly think it's a reissue or variant cover of the original.
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Now THAT is very valid comment. Unless familiar with forums like this, chances are one might dismiss the book as a reissue.
 
Sorry, gents. Was off doing some WW2 reenacting where reception was a bit sketchy. So, apologies for the late reply.


I will speak with the IAP art department and discuss these concerns with them and see what can be done. I do agree that a font color is in order and also some means to identify the book as a "part 2".


I'll keep you all in the loop. :)



Stargazer2006 said:
pathology_doc said:
I agree with Gatoraptor about the word "Japanese". Also, is there anything in the title which both distinguishes it from the first volume and makes it clear that this is the sequel?


I ask because some books (e.g. Norman Friedman's tome on modern British cruisers; John Forbat's book on TSR2 systems and assorted post-Red-Dean GW projects) have been issued with different titles and/or covers depending on location, and you don't want someone refusing this book because they mistakenly think it's a reissue or variant cover of the original.
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Now THAT is very valid comment. Unless familiar with forums like this, chances are one might dismiss the book as a reissue.
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Purely speaking as a 3d artist, I find the cover of the first book better.
These 3d-models look like they were made some time before those seen on the first book.
I have that book and every time I pick it up, I am amazed by the quality of work by Ronnie (Skyraider3D). I pretty much bought that book for its cover...
I can't say a thing about the 3d-models, both guys know how to make a plane.
But the texturing by Daniel is subpar compared to Ronnie's detailed texture-maps.
One look at that shine on the nose of the plane tells me 'looks so 90's'.
Texturing is a difficult thing to do, everyone has problems with it, but this is clearly lacking...

I also agree, make Japanse white, it is hardly readable now, and it does need a part 2 somewhere..

Cheers,

Rob
 
Arriving in my inbox this morning was the cover design from the publisher. Have to say, it is a departure from their "secret project" book formatting, the latter of which I expected them to follow. So, I'm liking the cover. Modern and slick. And for sure, you know it isn't a re-launch of the original book. :)
 

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Much better than before.But they should retain old style title font.
 
Too much of a departure from the rest of the series. It's a nice design, though, but perhaps they should have concluded the two-parter with the old style layout so it looks better on a shelf...
 
ov-101 said:
Much better than before.But they should retain old style title font.
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Agreed! The old version with "Japanese" in white, but with the large, subtle number "2" like the new version, would be ideal.
 
Right now, basically waiting on artwork to get turned in. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders and the release date is currently scheduled for February 2014. :)

airman said:
any update ? ::)
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A bit of bad news is that the release date for JSP2 has been pushed back to June 2014. The good news is that it gives me a bit of time to put in a section on the Japanese IJA and IJN nuclear weapon programs.
 
Hikoki1946 said:
A bit of bad news is that the release date for JSP2 has been pushed back to June 2014...
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Smithers, release the hounds.
 
Japanese IJA and IJN nuclear weapon programs : than like Nazi Germany also Japan have been a project about it!
 
I cant wait to have my copy of part two guys! its sad to hear the release date is set to the summer but Im very pleased to hear theres a section of the Japanese A bomb program!
 
Just an update. There has been a little shuffling around of aircraft in the book. The Kawasaki Ki-108 got the axe and I'm not too happy with the Tachikawa Ki-104 chapter so, that got nixed as well.

It their places went the Mitsubishi A7M Reppu and the Nakajima Ki-58 escort fighter. Also included, as mentioned before, is the Ni-go and F-go atomic weapon programs. I also added in the Ku-go directed energy weapon system. The latter, of course, wasn't something that was an airborne weapon...but it was anti-aircraft and who couldn't resist a "death ray" device anyhow. ;D
 

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