Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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RAF GladiatorPublished: September 11, 2021 HistoryThe Gloster Gladiator was one of the most famous RAF biplane fighters, and although outdated from the beginning, served with distinction with the RAF and numerous other air forces during the early stages of World War II. Most modelers should be intimately familiar with the story of the Gladiator, so it need not be repeated here. For backup material, I would suggest the… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110E “Weekend Edition”Published: May 7, 2013 HistoryThe Messerschmitt BF-110 has received a lot of bad press in recent years, mainly because it was not able to contend with comtemporary RAF fighters during the battle of Britain. However, following the Battle of Britain, the type continued in production, and actually was quite successful in the close support role, especially against the Russians, and later, with more powerful… more |
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Windsock Datafile No. 157, Halberstadt CL.II At WarPublished: April 24, 2013 HistoryThe Halberstadt CL.II series of two-seat close-support biplanes was introduced during 1917, and the type became the standard German type for the duration of the war, supplanted but never replaced by the later CL.IV and Hannover C1 biplanes. Robust and efficient in construction, and powered by the 180 hp. Mercedes D.IIIau water-cooled engine, the type was used to support… more |
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Bf-109E-7 & Fw-190A-5 in Japanese Army ServicePublished: March 30, 2013 HistoryThere was considerable industrial collaboration between Germany and Japan before and during World War II, and the fact that the Germans were able to send complete aircraft to Japan after Pearl Harbor was surprising, especially since they almost had to be sent by submarine. During 1941, the Japanese Army received 5 Bf-109E-7’s, and these were thoroughly tested by the Army, who… more |
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Topcolors # 29: Messerschmitt Bf-109FPublished: March 28, 2013 HistoryThis paperback provides specific information on 16 different Messerschmitt Bf-109F’s, mainly those operating on the Russian Front, including views from either side, a top view, and drawings of the undersurfaces of the wings. A short account describing the airplane, its pilot, and any other particulars that might be of interest to modelers is also provided, in both English and… more |
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Focke Wulf Ta-152H-1Published: March 26, 2013 HistoryThe Focke Wulf Ta-152H series was the ultimate development of the FW-190 design, and appeared in small numbers right at the close of World War II in Europe. Most of our readers are probably familiar with the history of the type, so I won’t go into many details. Needless to say, the Ta-152H series, which was powered by a Junkers Jumo 213E-1 engine of over 1,700 hp., was as good… more |
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Nakajima Ki-44-1 “Shoki” (Tojo)Published: March 15, 2013 HistoryThe Nakajima Ki-44 “Shoki”, code named “Tojo” by Allied intelligence during World War II, was rather unusual by Japanese standards, since it violated the traditional Japanese design emphasis on maneuverability at the expense of nearly every other performance attribute. Appearing shortly after the Ki-43 “Oscar”, the Ki-44 stressed speed, heavier armament, and rate of climb over… more |
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Aichi B7A2 “Grace” Torpedo BomberPublished: March 15, 2013 HistoryThe Aichi B7A torpedo bomber was an attempt by the Japanese Navy to provide a state-of-the-art general purpose carrier-based bomber to replace the Nakajima B6N “Jill” torpedo bomber and the Yokosuka D4Y “Judy” dive bomber with a single type capable of both roles. It was planned to operate these aircraft from the IJN’s largest carriers, the Taiho and the Shinano. Powered by the… more |
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Polish Wings 16: Supermarine Spitfire XVIPublished: March 5, 2013 HistoryNumerous experienced Polish pilots served in England, and although they were not technically part of the RAF, they served in special units and distinguished themselves in combat. By the time that the Spitfire XVI was available, the war was nearly over, and although the type was not generally flown in combat (one Polish pilot flew Mk. XVI’s with No. 602 Sqdn.), numerous Polish… more |
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Polikarpov U-2/Po-2VSPublished: February 7, 2013 HistoryThe Polikarpov U-2 biplane was designed and built during 1928 as a primary trainer for the fledgling Soviet Air Force, and it seemed to possess all of the characteristics desired by that service, including rugged all-wood construction, a low-powered but reliable power plant, and excellent flying characteristics. It was produced in massive numbers, approximately 40,000 of them… more |