The J-20 is a fifth generation fighter aircraft that has elevated China to a world leader in combat aviation. J-20 Mighty Dragon, Asia’s First Stealth Fighter In The Era Of China’s Military Risetraces the development of the J-20 from its roots in the Korean War to the current deployment status as well as the responses other nations have taken to counterbalance this modern air superiority fighter. The text is organized into five chapters covering China’s need for an air superiority fighter, development, deployment, the aircraft’s future and assets needed for deployment, and international challenges and responses. Supporting the highly informative text are hundreds of color photos and captions that give further insight into this highly advanced fighter aircraft. In addition to the photographs, five pages of color profiles are also included, as well as a map displaying the locations of units operating the J-20.

Recently released by the folks at ICM is the Focke-Wolf Fw-189C/V-6 in 1/72 scale. The kit received my attention due to the unique shape of the cockpit as well as the resemblance to the American P-38. The kit builds with relative ease, but I would recommend it to modelers with experience in dealing with smaller parts.

The real aircraft came from the experience gained by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War as a needed attack aircraft. Powered by two Argus As410A-1 engines, each providing 465 hp, the plane had a service ceiling of 6800km (4225 feet) and a maximum speed of 368 km/h (228 mph). The plane carried two 20mm cannons and up to six 7.92mm machine guns as well as up to four bombs. While the plane tested well in 1940, the Henschel Hs-129A would be selected for production.