Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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The Spanish Air Force From 1939 To The Present Day: Ejercito Del Aire Y Del EspacioPublished: May 31, 2023 Historical BackgroundThis book deals exclusively with the creation and development of aviation in Spain beginning in the early twentieth century. It mentions pre-World War I developments, and then progress during the twenties. For some reason, the period of the Spanish Civil War, between Russian backed forces and Germany is mentioned in very little detail, with no photos of any of… more |
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British Interwar AircraftPublished: January 22, 2023 Historical BackgroundThis book provides an in depth account of developments in aviation by the Royal Air Force from 1918, the end of World War I, until about 1939, the beginning of World War II. At the war’s end, the British had the world’s largest air force, and the immediate postwar period saw the breakup of the RAF, with most of the aircraft being disposed of, and government… more |
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Airfix Model World: Basic Guide to ModelingPublished: December 21, 2022 Historical BackgroundThe hobby of modeling has been around for almost as long as mankind, perfected in the later centuries by sailors aboard ships, who occupied free time by building ship models. In the twentieth century, with the development of airplanes and motorized vehicles, modeling expanded, with the appearance of kits made of wood, plastic, metals, and other materials. With… more |
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Consolidated B-24 LiberatorPublished: December 13, 2022 Historical BackgroundThis book presents a complete detailed history of the development and combat career of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber during World War II. It begins with the backgrounds of the designers, including Reuben Fleet, describing the early development of the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation during the twenties and thirties. When the U.S. Army leaders… more |
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Rockwell Commander 114A & 114BPublished: December 11, 2022 HistoryThe Rockwell Commander was developed during the late sixties, its first flight being in 1970. It was intended to compete with the Beech Bonanza, Mooney M20, Piper Low Wings and high-performance Cessna products that were so common during that era. However, after production started problems occurred that resulted in modifications that made the airframe heavier and more… more |
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Pacific Profiles Volume Seven - Allied Transports: Douglas C-47 Series, South and Southwest Pacific, 1942-1945.Published: October 25, 2022 Historical BackgroundThis book is part of a series of volumes on World War II in the Pacific, the author having published numerous titles dealing with American, Australian, New Zealand, and Japanese aviation activities during the war. He is Australian, and has lived in the areas under discussion, and is also a pilot, so has the background to treat the subject accurately. … more |
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Lavochkin LA-5 Vol. IIPublished: September 9, 2022 Historical BackgroundThis is volume 2 of a series of publications providing the history of the development of the Lavochkin La-5 series of fighters used by the Soviets and their allies during World War II, or what they called the Great Patriotic War. The author goes into great detail describing the technological development of the type, and its engine, providing very intricate… more |
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The Fairey Firefly - A Detailed Guide To The Fleet Air Arm's Versatile MonoplanePublished: September 9, 2022 Historical BackgroundThe Fairey Firefly was originally conceived in the late thirties as a carrier based fighter for the Royal Navy. It was built as a two seater because the authorities felt that a single pilot would not be able to navigate and fly under combat conditions at sea. While other similar aircraft, notably the Defiant and Blackburn Skua and Roc had power operated turrets… more |
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North American T-6 Harvard/TexanPublished: September 8, 2022 Historical BackgroundThe North American AT-6 Texan was originally developed during the middle thirties as an advanced training monoplane. Earlier versions, designated BT-9through BT-9D, numbered slightly less than 300, were used as basic trainers. They had fixed landing gear 400 hp. Wright R-975’s, and many survived until the end of World War II. The earliest versions were… more |
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Republic P-43 Lancer, Top Drawings, #122Published: June 15, 2022 Historical BackgroundThe Republic P-43A “Lancer” was the immediate ancestor of the P-47 “Thunderbolt”, and was only produced in relatively small quantities at the beginning of World War II. Its immediate competitors for production contracts were the Lockheed XP-38, Bell XP-39, and Curtiss XP-40, all of which were produced in far greater numbers. However, Republic made up the… more |