Phoenix Scale Publications, based in Great Britain, is a partnership of four people whose combined experience equals over 100 years working in both the aviation and modeling press. After so many years working for others, they came together as equal partners in this new venture, with each partner bringing their own unique talents. On the editorial side, we have Andy Evans, who, during his 40-year career has been at the helm of five aviation and modeling magazines, as well as a contributor to many more. He is also a published author with over 60 aviation and modeling books to his name. David Francis is an IPMS UK and Belgium Nationals Gold-winning modeler who has edited one of the world’s best-selling magazines for six years. His work has been featured in numerous aviation and modeling books and magazines for the last 35 years.

In WW1, the Italians found themselves short of heavy artillery and were forced to rely upon some very old weapons. The Cannone da 149/35 was already obsolete when it was introduced in 1900. It lacked a recoil system and instead relied upon wooden ramps and a heavy box under the trail to handle the recoil. This forced the gun to be re-laid after each round making it very manpower intense and giving it a painfully slow rate of fire. However inadequate and obsolete, it was better than nothing. Shockingly, this weapon was still in use by the Italian army in WW2.

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This book offers a detailed development history of the PWS-10 fighter designed by Polish engineers from the Podlaska Aircraft Factory in 1928. The reader will find a brief development story of the plane and details about the aircraft’s design. The first prototype of the PWS-10 was flown in 1930.

There was a competing design of the PZL P.1 aircraft (later developed into the P.7, P.11, and P.24 fighters that soldiered during the WWII) in the process of development but required additional refinement. Facing a lack of a better alternative for a fighter plane at the time, the military authorities decided to go with the PWS-10. The PWS-10 did not have a good reputation among pilots due to its flying characteristics and being prone to catching fire. Nevertheless, it briefly served the needs of the young Polish Air Force.