Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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J8A Gloster GladiatorPublished:
BackgroundThe Gloster Gladiator was the last biplane fighter to be used in large numbers by the Royal Air Force before the arrival of monoplane fighters, such as the Hurricane and Spitfire. In addition, Gladiators served the Royal Navy as the Sea Gladiator, and were exported to other countries, including Latvia, Lithuania, China, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Iraq, Erie, Portugal, Egypt, and Greece. The British examples were withdrawn from first line service by 1941, although they soldiered on in other countries well after that. The Swedish government ordered fifty five, but sent thirty to Finland to help that country defend itself against the Russian invasion. Many of these, actually Sea Gladiators, were flown by Swedish volunteers. Twenty five were operated by… more |
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Ronny Bar Profiles: British Two Seaters of the Great WarPublished:
Historical BackgroundMost of the information published on the subject of World War I aviation deals with the development of single seat fighter types, and it is refreshing to see a book dealing exclusively with the less publicized two seaters. At the beginning of the war, airplanes were seen primarily as a means of observing the enemy to see what they were doing, or were capable of doing, and for spotting the results of artillery fire. As the war progressed, it became important to deny the enemy the same advantages, so planes were equipped with guns, and the fighter plane evolved. However, the observation plane and bomber continued in use, and these needed better performance in order to defend themselves against fighters. As engine power output increased over the… more |
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Scale Plans No. 69, RWD-14 Czapla. 1/72, 1/48, 1/32Published:
Historical BackgroundThe RWD-14 Czapla was a light, two seat observation aircraft designed during the middle thirties by the RWD Design Team for the Polish military forces. It was intended to replace the Lublin R-XIII. Due to its extended development time, and relatively low performance, it was viewed as a stopgap measure until the LWS-3 Mewa became available. Just over 65 RWD-14’s were built, and these equipped five Polish Air Force squadrons at the beginning of the war in 1939. Most were destroyed during the German invasion, but 14 survivors were passed on to the Rumanians, who used them during the war. Several were captured by the Germans and Russians, but these were not used by them. None survived the war. The BookThe book is basically a collection of… more |
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Club 1/72 Aircraft Drawings: The Best of Mariusz LukasikPublished:
The BookThis book is aimed at serious modelers, primarily those who build in 1/72 scale, and provides excellent drawings in scale of 14 aircraft, including the following: Henschel HS-123, Arado AR-196, Messerschmitt Bf-109A-D, Messerschmitt Bf-109E and EB, Messerschmitt Bf-109T, Messerschmitt Bf-109F, Messerschmitt ME-262, Dornier Do-17/Do-215, Curtiss P-40, North American P-51 Mustang, Douglas SBD Dauntless, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, and Saab J-20 Tunnan. For each aircraft, the book follows a format I haven’t seen before. Drawings begin with the original prototype and continue through each development and production model, providing side profiles, top and bottom views, front and rear views, and fuselage cross sections. Each page has brief descriptions of the… more |
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Unusual C-47'sPublished:
BackgroundSince the Douglas DC-3 and C-47 was produced in larger numbers than any other transport aircraft, it stands to reason that the plane is well represented in the modeling world. Although the plane has been produced in a number of scales, the majority of the kits are in 1/72 scale. Starting with the old Airfix kit in the sixties, the more recent issues by Italeri and ESCI have featured recessed panel lines and some variations in form, and recently, Airfix is reported to have reissued their kit with more up-to-date features. I have not seen the new Airfix kit, but have built both ESCI and Italeri kits, and they are both exceptionally good kits. The Douglas DC-1 prototype first appeared in 1933 to compete with Boeing’s Model 247, and after the improved DC-2 was… more |
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Lockheed P-38J "Lightning"Published:
HistoryThe Lockheed P-38J was one of the finest twin engine fighters to be developed during World War II, and although it wasn’t as effective in the European Theater, it excelled in the Pacific, where some of the highest scoring aces scored the majority of their victories on the type. Although faced with developmental problems, it became a highly effective, well armed, and long ranged fighter with excellent overall performance. It was especially effective against the Japanese, and one little known achievement was that Charles Lindbergh, who had been rejected by President Roosevelt for political reasons, went to the South Pacific to work with pilots extending the range through improved piloting techniques, actually scored a victory against a Japanese plane in… more |
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Douglas DC-3Published:
The BookThis book is the first I’ve seen to present a complete modeler’s guide to what is probably the most famous transport aircraft ever built, the Douglas DC-3/C-47 series. The author begins with a historical account of the development and service life of the plane, accompanied by profuse illustrations showing nearly all conceivable forms in which the aircraft appeared, and providing detailed accounts and reviews of nearly all of the plastic kits issued in the popular modeling scales. Although the DC-3 is the stated subject, some coverage is given to the DC-1 and DC-2, the predecessors of the DC-3, although no mention is given to kits of any but the DC-3. ContentsThe book begins with an account of the air transport industry at the end of World War I,… more |
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Wings of the Black Cross: Special Number Three: Messerschmitt Bf-109Published:
Historical BackgroundThe author presents a brief history of the development and operational career of the Messerschmitt Bf-109 series, but the main emphasis of this book is the explanation of the development of colors and markings used for these aircraft. Granted, this topic has been addressed before in many publications, and the Bf-109 has probably had more written about it than any other combat aircraft from the World War II Era. Beginning with a brief description of the origins of the aircraft, a brief account of the development and service career is presented. Following this is a short section entitled “Camouflage, Markings, and Heraldry”, which explains how the Luftwaffe fighter groups were organized, and the color coding that was used to identify sub-groups… more |
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Strike From the Air: The Early Years of the Us Air ForcesPublished:
HistoryThis book covers the aeronautical activities of Americans in the military from the beginnings in the American War Between The States (Civil War) to the end of World War I. Actually, balloons were used by both Union and Confederate forces during that war, and there was some balloon activity up through the end of World War I. After the Wright Brothers made their first flight in 1903, experiments were conducted by Americans to develop military aircraft, although after the Wrights showed the Europeans how to build a practical and controllable airplane, more progress was made in Europe, so that by the time the United States became involved in the war, the British, French, and Germans were far ahead of us in military aviation technology. The U.S. had used a few airplanes in… more |
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Polikarpov U-2/PO-2Published:
HistoryThe Polikarpov U-2, later redesignated PO-2 in honor of the designer, Polikarpov, was originally designed as a light training and general purpose biplane, making its first flight in 1928. Its construction was typical of the period, with mainly wooden construction and fabric covering. It was produced in very large numbers, starting in the late twenties and production lasted until the early fifties in the Soviet Union and later in other countries. It was used as a primary trainer, communications aircraft, light transport, reconnaissance type, and even as a crop duster. Over 30,000 were built, and a number are still flying in Europe and North America. I wrote a review of this kit last year, and since a new issue has emerged, I’m doing it again. It is a slight different… more |