Andy Taylor
Reviews By Author
|
Belgian Military Forces in the Congo, Volume 2 – Congolese Tactical Air Force Co-Operation with the CIA 1964-67Published:
This is the second volume of the Belgian Military Forces in Belgium. The first book, “Belgian Military Forces in the Congo, Volume 1: The Force Publique, 1885-1960”, covered the events of Belgium’s 75 years in their Congo colony, leading to the official withdrawal of Belgian forces. Volume 2 picks up in 1964 after the newly independent Republic of the Congo-Kinshasa’s (later renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo-DRC) brief, bright future was overcome with internal factions, and the independence movement spreading through Africa (with several backed by Marxist forces). While Belgium wanted to remain hands-off, it quickly became apparent that they needed to step in to protect Belgian and Congolese interests. The FATAC (La FATAC Force Tactique – the Congolese Tactical Air Force… more |
|
Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish VolunteersPublished:
Ian Baxter is a prolific author and has an impressive collection of photographs, many previously unpublished. The book follows the familiar Images of War format with brief introductions for each chapter followed by a lot of photographs to tell the story. The German war machine attracted followers from conquered countries. This book focuses on Belgian, Danish, and Dutch volunteers drawn to the Waffen-SS and their respective major formations and battles, including the 1944 Battle of Narva (2 February -10 August 1944) that also earned the nickname “The Battle of the European SS”. These combined units fought to the end in the Kurland Pocket, with only some evacuated by sea, while others fought in the Battle for Berlin in April 1945. So why do we need yet another book filled with… more |
|
Black Sunday – When Weather Claimed the US Fifth Air ForcePublished:
“There were lots of ways to get killed in the Southwest Pacific and weather was one of our worst hazards.” – Lightning Pilot Leroy Ross. Author Michael John Claringbould begins his book with the following first paragraph of the Preface, “The day of Sunday 16 April 1944 marks the biggest non-combat loss the USAAF incurred in any theater in World War II. After a delayed morning departure more than three hundred Fifth Air Force aircraft departed to attack Japanese airfields and installations at Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea. Not one aircraft was lost to enemy action, but over three dozen were lost to a vicious weather front. The date quickly became known as Black Sunday within the Fifth Air Force.” On that fateful day, 59 Liberators, 51 Mitchells, 87 A-20G Havocs,… more |
|
Modern Distribution Industry Set #1Published:
Rick Galazzo and Scott Cohen started Tru-Color Paint in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008, based on their experience in formulating paint for the commercial market. They reformulated the former Accupaint formulas and created this paint line. It is refreshing to see that in today’s day and age with model kits and supplies moving overseas, that these paints are made in the USA. They have five paint lines including automotive, aircraft, naval and military colors, including many sets to make a project easier by having all the colors in one box. Another huge bonus for me is that Scott Cohen wrote a personal letter explaining the paints for review, a request for new paint color suggestions, and genuinely supporting modelers and IPMS. Based on all this, I was eager to try these paints for myself.… more |
|
F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter – An Illustrated Developmental HistoryPublished:
F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter – An Illustrated Developmental History is a fantastic book on the development of this remarkable aircraft. There is no operational history nor combat-related photographs in this book. And it should not, nor does it, detract from the book. The development of stealth technology and this record-breaking aircraft deserves its own story. The aircraft and dedicated people that made it possible is brilliantly told and photographed in this book. The book is presented with five chapters:
This book covers the design and testing of one of the most revolutionary military… more |
|
Sherman Medium Tank - Canadian, New Zealand and South African Armies Italy, 1943–1945Published:
From Dennis Oliver’s Introduction,
With over 55,000 Shermans produced throughout the war, Shermans were in every theater with all the major Allies. What is impressive about this… more |
|
The Erawan War, Volume 3: The Royal Lao Armed Forces 1961-1974Published:
I reviewed the Erawan War, Volume 2 - The CIA Paramilitary Campaign in Laos 1969-1974 that was posted in January 2023. I was impressed so much with Ken Conboy’s style, research, and approach that I asked to review the third volume in his series on the Erawan War. And I was not disappointed. While the first two volumes focus on American efforts, largely though the CIA, this volume focuses on the Laotian perspective and their many wars, infighting, international relations, and coups. Despite the efforts of the French, Americans, South Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino advisors and military, the Laotian country followed the other Southeast Asian countries in their forceful conversion to communism. Author Ken Conboy does an outstanding job of abbreviating the history of Laos and its… more |
|
Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Ground - Armor & Uniforms PaintPublished:
Rick Galazzo and Scott Cohen started Tru-Color Paint in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008, based on their experience in formulating paint for the commercial market. They reformulated the former Accupaint formulas and created this paint line. It is refreshing to see that in today’s day and age with model kits and supplies moving overseas, that these paints are made in the USA. They have five paint lines including automotive, aircraft, naval and military colors, including many sets to make a project easier by having all the colors in one box. Another huge bonus for me is that Scott Cohen wrote a personal letter explaining the paints for review, a request for new paint color suggestions, and genuinely supporting modelers and IPMS. Based on all this, I was eager to try these paints for myself.… more |
|
The Three Battles of El AlameinPublished:
The Battles of El Alamein were critical in the fight for North Africa and had the potential to change the course of the war. The German war machine was at the zenith of its power, with Britain and Russia absorbing defeats as they fell back on their lines. When the opportunity to review this book was presented, I jumped on it for several reasons: the history of this crucial campaign, the Images of War series’ reputation and Jon Diamond as the author. It promised to be a powerful book – and it delivered! The North African campaign was in the balance and the British had their backs to Egypt and its vital Suez Canal. With the German victory in Tobruk in June 1942, the British were forced to retreat to Egypt. The Three Battles of Tobruk refer to the First Battle of El Alamein (1-27… more |
|
Lockheed F-104 StarfighterPublished:
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter held several world record “firsts” in 1958: airspeed, altitude, time-to-climb, and becoming the first aircraft to hold all three simultaneously. It was also the first aircraft to be equipped with the M61 Vulcan autocannon, the first production aircraft to achieve Mach 2, and the first aircraft to reach an altitude of 100,000 ft after taking off under its own power. With all these records, it lasted a brief time with the USAF (until 1969 in the USAF and 1975 with Air National Guard). It did; however, serve with distinction with fifteen countries during the Cold War. It was built to intercept, hit with missiles, and run. Born during the end of the Korean War, it was the first aircraft to hit twice the speed of sound with pilot Joe Ozier flying a FY-104A (… more |