Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
Single No. 14 - Messerschmitt ME-163B-1 KometPublished: May 4, 2020 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… more |
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Ilyushin Il-2 Schturmovik Two Seat VersionPublished: May 4, 2020 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… more |
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Images of War: Air War Over North Africa, USAAF Ascendant.Published: January 29, 2020 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,… more |
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Yakolev YAK-1BPublished: January 29, 2020 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,… more |
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Images of War: Early Jet Bombers, 1944-1954Published: January 27, 2020 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… more |
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FIAT G.50 bis/AS "Freccia"Published: January 8, 2022 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… more |
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Messerschmitt P-1103Published: December 6, 2019 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… more |
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MILES M.8 "PEREGRINE"Published: September 2, 2019 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”… more |
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X-Planes: Jet Prototypes of World War II: Gloster, Heinkel, and Caproni’s Wartime Jet ProgramsPublished: August 22, 2019 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… more |
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Tempest V, VS FW-190D-9 1944-45Published: August 22, 2019 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… more |