Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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Tempest V, VS FW-190D-9 1944-45Published:
HistoryOsprey has published a series of books offering comparisons of competing combat aircraft of World Wars I and II, and they offer specific information on how the planes fared against each other in combat. The author brings out the fact that a combat airplane not only has technological factors to consider, but also the skill and training of the pilots as well as the development of tactics suitable for the combat situation. The best airplane flown by an inexperienced pilot might well be at a great disadvantage against a combat veteran flying a less sophisticated type. With this in mind, the author covers the subject in such a way as to give the reader a very good impression of the factors affecting combat between the types. In addition, the author brings out the… more |
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Nakajima Ki-34 "Thora"Published:
HistoryAfter Nakajima obtained a production license to manufacture Douglas DC-2 airliners in 1935, the Japanese airlines decided to sponsor the development of a smaller airplane to serve routes that they perceived the DC-2 to be too large for. The result was the development of the AT-1, an eight passenger twin engine aircraft which closely resembled a scaled-down DC-2. The prototype first flew in 1936, and was of all metal construction except for the control surfaces, which were plywood. Power was originally provided by Nakajima Kotobuki 2-1 radial engines of 580 hp. with fixed pitch wooden propellers. Production models used the Kotobuki 41, rated at 710 hp, with variable pitch metal props. These were designation AT-2. Imperial Japanese Airways (Dai Nippon Koku KK)… more |
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America’s Round-Engine Airliners: Airframes & Powerplants in the Golden Age of AviationPublished:
HistoryThis book is an account of the development of the American airliner powered by reciprocating engines, up to their replacement by jet powered aircraft in the 1960’s. The authors are well qualified to trace the advances in both airframes and powerplants. Craig Kodera has a completely aeronautical background, having experience as both an airline and Air Force pilot, and as an excellent aviation artist. William Pearce’s background is in aviation powerplants, and between them, they are able to trace the technical developments and the developmental histories of each major aircraft and powerplant. The BookThe main objective of the writers is to trace the developments in airline equipment, explaining what happened and why it happened. This is NOT a book… more |
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Vickers Vildebeest Mk. IIIPublished:
HISTORYThe Vickers Vildebeeste design originated as a result of Air Ministry Specification 24/25 for a land based torpedo bomber to replace the Hawker Horsley, with the first prototype flying in April, 1928. The plane was of all metal construction with mainly fabric cover. Power was provided by a Bristol Jupiter VIII radial engine. Development continued, with the first production models flying in 1932. The design was upgraded over the years, with 9 Mk. I’s (Bristol Pegasus), 30 Mk. II’s (Bristol Pegasus IIM3), 150 Mk. III’s (A Mk. II with provision for a third crew member) and 18 Mk. IV’s, (825 hp. Bristol Perseus radial enclosed in a NACA cowling). In 1931, Vickers developed a modified Vildebeeste as a general purpose type to replace the Westland Wapiti, and this aircraft,… more |
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DeHavilland DH-82a Tiger MothPublished:
HistoryThe DeHavilland DH-82 Tiger Moth, like the Stearman Model 75 and possibly the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny”, is one of the standard and best known biplane training aircraft, in terms of numbers built, reputation, and number of surviving aircraft. Like the Stearman, the Tiger Moth began as a primary training aircraft, moving into fame as World War II began and providing the basis for the training programs for the British Commonwealth air forces, including the RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF, RSAAF, and many other smaller air arms. Originally conceived as a civilian trainer evolving from the DH-60 Gypsy Moth of the late twenties, the DH-82 featured staggered wings and an inverted engine to provide better forward visibility for the pilots. It was fully aerobatic. Wartime versions were… more |
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Bf-109T-2Published:
Messerschmitt developed the Bf-109T, based on the Bf-109E series, for operations from the aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin”, when it was being developed and built in the late thirties. Although the ship was launched in 1938, the carrier, which was to have had a capacity of 40 aircraft, was never completed. A second carrier, the Peter Strasser, was started but never launched. It was scrapped in 1940. The Graf Zeppelin was retained, and work resumed briefly in 1942, but eventually, it was stopped in 1943. Specialized folding wing JU-87B’s and Bf-109T’s were developed for these ships. The Bf-109T-0 prototype was followed by ten pre-production Bf-109T-1’s, converted from E-3’s. These had extended, manually folding wings and carrier tailhooks, catapult… more |
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Northrop Delta Mk. I/II/IIIPublished:
InstructionsThe kit instructions are printed on 8 half-sized sheets, including the aircraft’s history, a sprue diagram and color guide, 3 sheets of exploded assembly drawings, 3 sets of color four views showing two Mk. III’s and one Mk. I. DecalsDecals are provided for the three aircraft represented in the drawings. When I obtained the review kit at the Phoenix IPMS Convention, there were no decals with the kit. I contacted Special Hobby and they promised to send a set of decals. I waited a couple of months and finally just used decals from my spares box, printing the numbers on my computer. Naturally, I had just installed the decals when an envelope came, from all places Malta, containing the kit decals. I used a few of them and the results were most… more |
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Albatros D.III/D.V, Aces’ FighterPublished:
HistoryNicely written on both English and Polish, this book provides the history of the German Albatros D.I through D.Va fighters in both German and Polish service. The Albatros was the replacement for the earlier Fokker Eindekker series, beginning service in mid 1916 until being replaced by the Fokker D.VII in 1917 and 1918. Most of the famous aces flew the type, including von Richtofen and Bolcke, and they operated the type successfully on the Western Front until outclassed by the British S.E.5’s and Sopwith Camels, and the French SPADs. After replacement, they were used in less important theatres of operation and as trainers. Many survived the war, and quite a few were spirited away to Poland, where they became one of the important types in the fledgling Polish Military… more |
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Northrop Delta Mk. II/IIIPublished:
The KitThe kit consists of five light grey styrene sprues and one clear unit. Many parts, especially on Sprue D, are listed as not to be used. Some bombs and racks are also provided on Sprue G, but there is no reference in the instructions as to which variants carried them. More good fodder for the spares box. The parts are well molded with very little flash, although the window openings required a little bit of trimming. Concerning the window arrangement, there is apparently another version of this kit with a straight row of rectangular windows, but this one had four square and four round windows, plus some oddly shaped windows by the cockpit, and, of course, the pilot’s windshield. There is adequate interior detail, including a complete cockpit, some rear cargo… more |
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P.Z.L. 23 KARASPublished:
HistoryThe PZL P-23 Karas was one of the most important combat aircraft in the inventory of the Polish Military Aviation prior to the outbreak of World War II. Designed as a three place light bomber and reconnaissance type in the early thirties, and powered by the Polish-built Bristol Pegasus radial engine, the p-23 was placed in production in time to be available during the German invasion in 1939. Numerous units were equipped with the P-23A and P-23B versions, and these operated in the light bomber and reconnaissance role during the time that Poland was defending itself against the Germans. Later, when the Russians issued their “stab in the back” invasion, most of the surviving P-23’s were flown to Romania, where some of them soldiered on until the end of the war. A few… more |