Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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Single No. 13. Lockheed P-38L-5-LO LightningPublished:
The BookThis book provides a lot of information on the P-38L-5-LO. This variant was only marginally different in detail from other P-38’s in the “L” series, so it would probably be useful for anyone wanting detail information on any of the later P-38’s. The book consists entirely of scale drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, a series of captioned color and black and white photos of entire airplanes and details, and a set of color drawings in back. It would serve as a very good reference for anyone wanting to build a model in either of those scales. The detail photos are from existing warbirds or from actual maintenance manuals, and there are even some interior views of the cockpit and engine compartments. RecommendationIf you are doing a late model P-38 in… more |
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Single No. 14 - Messerschmitt ME-163B-1 KometPublished:
The BookThis book is intended as a reference for anyone building a 1/72 or 1/48 scale model of a production Messerschmitt ME-163B. It contains entirely visual references, and does not tell the developmental or operational history of the type, but this information is covered in so many other references, so that is not so important. The modeling information, however, is extremely well done. The scale drawings are very useful, and whoever made the photographs did a very good job of accessing the aircraft and picturing the details, especially the interior. There are several ME-163’s on display in museums, so with some cooperation with the curators, good photos are certainly obtainable. There are some period photos included, some showing the equipment used by the crews during… more |
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Ilyushin Il-2 Schturmovik Two Seat VersionPublished:
The BookThis is a short publication that provides very accurate 4-view drawings of the Soviet two seat IL-2 Shturmovik armored attack bomber of World War II fame. The drawings are done in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, and provide information on several modifications of the aircraft, mainly armament upgrades, but there is no color or interior information. There is an excellent photograph of a pristine IL-2 on the cover, and the book would be ideal for you if you were going to super-detail an IL-2 in either of those scales. There are enough kits available of the aircraft to make getting the book worthwhile if you are working with kits of this aircraft. RecommendationThis book contains excellent drawings of the aircraft in two scales. Recommended. |
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Images of War: Air War Over North Africa, USAAF Ascendant.Published:
At the beginning of World War II in Europe, the British were faced with the threat to Egypt and the Suez Canal by the Italians in North Africa. With the fall of France in 1940, the Vichy Government control of the western end of the North African coastline put the British position in further jeopardy. The Italians sent their forces into Egypt, where they were soundly beaten by the British, losing thousands of prisoners of war in the process. Hitler felt forced to aid his Italian allies, and sent General Rommel’s forces to North Africa. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Allied leaders set up a strategy to evict the Axis Powers from North Africa, and starting in early 1942, American forces began preparing for “Operation Torch”, the invasion of Vichy French controlled Morocco and… more |
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Yakolev YAK-1BPublished:
HistoryThe Yakovlev Yak-1 series design work began in the late thirties, with the first flight taking place in 1939. Production started in the same year, and by 1941, these planes were beginning to be issued to Soviet Air Force fighter squadrons. The type went through a considerable amount of development, resulting in the Yak-7, Yak-9 and later the Yak-3. At first designated I-16, the Yak-1 was upgraded in several ways, including replacing the faired in canopy with a version allowing the pilot to see directly behind him. Some units modified their aircraft, using what was known as the Shinkarenkov Modification, which was later incorporated into all Yak production aircraft. These modified fighters were known unofficially as Yak-1b. Later, the Yak-1M was produced, differing… more |
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Images of War: Early Jet Bombers, 1944-1954Published:
HistoryThis book covers the development of bombers from the beginning of World War II, showing how the advances in technology resulted in better performing aircraft, especially due to more powerful reciprocating engines and the introduction of jet power plants. The earliest development of jet engines occurred in Germany, and they were the first to introduce operational jet fighters and bombers towards the end of the war, although they did not appear in sufficient numbers to make any difference in the outcome. However, the British and Americans also developed jet fighters, and the end of the war, and subsequent occupation of German facilities by advancing American, British, and Soviet forces resulted in a tremendous transfer of German technology to the Allied Powers, the… more |
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FIAT G.50 bis/AS "Freccia"Published:
HistoryThe Fiat G.50 came about as a result of the Italian Air force’s need to replace the biplane fighters that had served them well during the nineteen thirties. The Fiat CR.42 biplane had been an especially successful fighter, and in fact continued in use through most of World War II, but a higher performing monoplane was needed, and Fiat started work on a prototype in 1936 and flew the first prototype in 1937. Although the aircraft had excellent flying qualities, its bulky Fiat A74 RC38 radial engine produced only 840 hp., resulting in disappointing performance, and the twin 12.7 mm. Breda SAFAT machine guns were thought to be inadequate. In fact, the Air Force considered the Macchi C.200 radial engine fighter to be superior in most respects, but both aircraft were put… more |
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Messerschmitt P-1103Published:
HistoryThe Messerschmitt Me P.1103 (12/09/1944) was one of a series of experimental projects developed by Messerschmitt and other German manufacturers as desperation types designed to combat the heavy bomber offensives of the U.S. 8th Air Force and Royal Air Force towards the end of World War II. The aircraft was classified as a Bordjager, a fighter meant to be carried or towed aloft and released by a fighter aircraft, either a Bf-109G or ME-262. Powered by a liquid propellant rocket motor, the P.1103 was armed with a single MK-108 cannon mounted in the forward fuselage. Earlier developments had the pilot in a prone position, but the December 1944 version used a regular pilot’s seat and regular one piece canopy. The aircraft was to be initially moved… more |
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MILES M.8 "PEREGRINE"Published:
HistoryThe Miles M.8 “Peregrine” was the first twin engine to be developed by Miles Aircraft Company, and was built at their Woodley Plant in the UK, first flying in Sept. 1936. It was a low wing, twin engine monoplane powered by 205 hp. Gypsy Six air cooled engines. It had a retractable landing gear, and could probably be considered to be one of the world’s first small “executive” transport types. Besides a pilot and co-pilot, it had seats for six passengers. Since Miles had already put the “Magister” trainer into production for the RAF at their Woodley Plant, the plane was never developed, although later, one further prototype was constructed for the Royal Aircraft Establishment, using American Menasco engines. This aircraft was used by the RAE as a test bed. With the… more |
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X-Planes: Jet Prototypes of World War II: Gloster, Heinkel, and Caproni’s Wartime Jet ProgramsPublished:
HistoryThere were numerous experiments involving jet propulsion for aircraft just prior to the outbreak of World War II, with Germany, Britain, and Italy leading the way. The United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan were somewhat late in starting, but by the end of the war, only the Russians and the Japanese had failed to fly a jet powered prototype, and Germany, Britain, and the United States had begun to produce actual jet fighters, with Germany and Britain in the lead. This text, the second in the series by Osprey, covers the Gloster, Heinkel, and Caproni prototypes. Osprey’s previous book, X-Planes, Luftwaffe Emergency Fighters, covers most of the Luftwaffe developments, although none of these types reached actual production. Obviously, the… more |