The Book

Kagero Publishing of Poland has a series of photo books called Topshots. They feature lots of photos of a single subject and include a decal sheet.

This book contains photos of Su-22s in Polish Air Force service. It’s got one page of history in English, and 47 pages of photographs, many with details you’re not going to find in any other published source. The photos are all well printed in color.

The decal sheet has all the markings required for two Su-22M-4s of the 7th Air Support Squadron in 1/48 and 1/72. The back cover of the book gives the color and marking placement for 9101, which is on the decal sheet. Photos of 8206, the other aircraft, are also included.

A relative newcomer to the model world, Riich Models has given us some little jewels in armor, ships, and aircraft. Their latest effort, Livestock Set, Vol. 2, will provide some useful animal figures to liven up dioramas of all periods. Included are a grazing horse, two cows, and two birds which look like pigeons. All armies of World War II used horses to varying degrees, and civilians commonly used horses everywhere. The cows would most likely be found in rural scenes; I’m guessing many modelers will use these in a Normandy diorama. The pigeons can be used anywhere, perched in a tree or on a telephone wire. Don’t forget that pigeons were used for carrying messages, even by U.S. troops (who often carried the birds in captured German gas mask canisters).

The Aircraft

The C-124 Globemaster II was the ultimate piston-powered cargo aircraft. The C-124 entered service in 1950, just in time for the Korean War. Based on the C-74 Globemaster, which first flew just after VJ day, the C-124 used the same wing as the C-74, but the fuselage was enlarged so the C-124 could carry 10 tons more cargo than the C-74.

Based on lessons learned in the Berlin Airlift, the 124 featured clamshell nose doors which allowed drive-in loading of vehicles. Until the advent of the turboprop C-133 in 1957, the C-124 was the only US transport capable of carrying tanks and large trucks.

The C-124 remained in service with the ANG until 1974, the last ones retiring from the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia ANG.