My Weblog

Several Upcoming signing events - March 6-7th - "Show of Shows"

Hello,

Thanks again to everyone for your support.  It has been a long time since I last posted on this blog, but things have been very busy. 

I am proud to say that the book has been reviewed in several publications such as Air & Space Smithsonian and Classic Wings recently.  I hope to add several reviews to a new section on the website shortly.

I also will be appearing at several events in the next few months, the first is the MONSTER Militaria collector show, the "Show of Shows" in Louisville, KY.  Please see here for more info - it is HUGE:

http://www.sosovms.com/

I should be signing & selling my book at the Manions Auction House booth (by the entrance on Friday and Saturday 03/6-03/07.  Please stop by and say hello.  Manions is the premier, long-time militaria auction house in world.  You can read more about them at:

www.manions.com

Please watch this space for other exciting events coming up.

Thanks,

Ron W.

Re: Book signing/Japanese militaria at the MAX Show (10/3-10/4)

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to everyone who took the time to write me and share such positive on my book - I really appreciate that!

I will be doing a book signing at the upcoming MAX militaria show in Pittsburg, PA. on October 3-4.  With over 1,500 tables of militaria, books, etc. there is plenty to enjoy.  Please stop by if you are attending.  See here for more information:

http://www.themaxshow.com/

Regards,

Ron W.

"Beyond Pearl" released/first reviews

Hello Everyone,

I am happy to announce that the book is now available!  It is available via directly from me (off this website), through Schiffer Publishing and will be on the Borders, amazon, etc. websites soon.

I am very happy with the final product except that a portion of the endnotes were accidently deleted (Chapters 13-17).  Please feel free to contact me if you like those.  I hope that this issue will be rectified shortly by the publisher.

I am very happy to put some initial reviews from some of the accomplished historians that I respect.  See here:

http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?topic=6252.0

All the best,

Ron W.

Book Excerpt 08/16/08

In flight training, the trainee pilot sat in the front seat and the instructor was in the cockpit behind him. If a rookie aviator did something wrong, he would be hit in the back of the head with a wooden stick. One way we dealt with this abuse was by wrapping a towel under our flight helmets. Our instructors caught on quickly and, once we landed, they made us take off our flight helmets, then struck us on our heads with the sticks.

Ensign Takeshi Maeda, Copyright 2008, Ron Werneth

 

 

 

 

Book Release update/website news

Hello again,

The latest news regarding the book is that it should arrive in late August.  I was hoping and scheduled to do a book signing at the big EAA Airshow this month but the book won't be ready in time. 

Please also check back for my future updates and some tweaking to the website such as a Links page, etc.

Thanks for your support.

Ron Werneth

Book excerpt 06/04/08

"I didn’t see much damage on the carrier itself, but I saw some fire.  However, the Kaga didn’t sink, and after it became dark a destroyer sank it with a torpedo.  After going into the water, I swam for six hours before getting rescued by the destroyer Maikaze.  At night, I had a difficult time breathing, and the next morning, I vomited blood."

Lieutenant Takayoshi Morinaga, copyright 2008, Ron Werneth

Re: USAF Museum "Shiden-kai" - Display info

Hello,

I am happy to report that after a multi-year restoration, the USAF Museum (Dayton, Ohio) was supposed to their rare Kawanishi "Shide-kai" fighter on public display yesterday (May 19th).  It should be almost done except for a finishing touches.

See here:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=525

I also recently did an article about the fighter's restoration in "Flight Journal" magazine (which should still be available) in your bookstores.

Congrats to the USAF Museum & restoration team!

Ron W.

Re: Book release update/signings

Hello Everyone,

I am happy to report that Schiffer Publishing just said the book will be out in 4-6 weeks!  Of course, I am very excited and appreciate the support.  Please keep back for more updates!

Also, I am pleased to announce that I am scheduled to do a book signing at the "famous" EAA Airshow.  Please check back for more details/dates.  See here:

http://www.airventure.org/

Regards,

Ron Werneth 

Book excerpt 05/11/08

"While escaping the ring formation, our aircraft was shot at by a lot of anti-aircraft guns, but none hit my plane.  It was a very tough fight, but I didn’t have time to be scared because I was focused on what I was doing.  However, my mission was not finished yet. "

Lieutenant Commander Keiichi Arima, copyright 2008, Ron Werneth

Book excerpt 04/28/08

"Once I had my carrier in sight, I attempted an emergency landing.  Since my engine was running very rough and my fuel level was so low, I disregarded the proper traffic pattern and did a “straight in” approach.  Gears down, flaps down, hook down and when I looked at my instrument panel, the oil pressure gauge read zero.  I then said to myself, ‘Oh my goodness the engine could stop at any moment.’ Just at that very second, I touched down on the carrier, and my number one engine cylinder fell off!  That was a close call."

Lieutenant Commander Iyozō Fujita, copyright 2008, Ron Werneth