Hub Plott
Reviews By Author
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Kugisho E14Y Glen - The Aircraft that Bombed AmericaPublished:
This book looks at the only enemy aircraft actually to drop bombs on the continental United States, the Kugisho E14Y “Glen”. We are given the history of its development and its technical details, as well as the details of the two bombing missions over the Oregon coast and other operations across the Pacific. It should be noted that the Japanese were the only nation to use submarine-based aircraft in any quantity. This book begins with a discussion of the first Japanese experiments with submarine-based aircraft, as well as the aircraft preceding the E14Y in service. A nice overview of the E14Y follows, with discussions of its operations for the IJN. One thing of interest is the joint operations of both Japanese and German submarines from the base at Penang (part of modern… more |
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Battle Flight: RAF Air Defense Projects and Weapons Since 1945Published:
This book looks at the RAF and Britain’s air defense, post-World War II. More specifically, it looks at the defense of Britain from nuclear strikes. This book is broken down into ten chapters, beginning at the end of WWII when the British defenses were set up to protect her from massive raids by piston-engined bomber aircraft and the post-war realization that the advent of the V-1 and V-2 missiles and the jet engine had rendered all of this obsolete. Add the atomic bomb to this, and the RAF was scrambling to devise new defenses. The author does a good job of discussing the Soviet threat, as well as all of the various programs that were being devised to deal with it. Those that made it to reality, as well as those that never made it off paper, are all covered. All of the… more |
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The Curtiss SB2C in French ServicePublished:
This book looks at the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver in French Service. In need of aircraft after WWII, the French Navy received the first 56 of what was to be a force of 110 Helldivers in 1949. Already considered obsolete by the US and not so affectionately nicknamed “Son of Bitch 2nd Class” by US personnel who operated it, the French Navy set about putting it to use in Indo-China. This book is a brief overview of Helldiver operations by the three Flotille so equipped. Each is presented in a short “newspaper article” style, followed by some very brief coverage of Helldiver use by second-line units. The text section concludes with a listing of aircraft and personnel lost on… more |
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Tupolev Tu-2T Replacement Landing GearPublished:
This was to have been a full gear replacement review until the USPS decided to treat the package like the gorilla from the old 1970’s American Tourister luggage commercial. Unfortunately, the package did not fare anywhere near as well as the luggage did, as it looked like it had been stomped flat. After sorting through the carnage I was able to gather together enough surviving parts for one main gear leg. What you get in the package is a full gear replacement in white metal for both main gear legs and the tail wheel. As you can see from one of the photos, the SAC gear has simplified things by making the main gear legs three total pieces and main tailwheel leg as two total piece, versus five pieces for the kit’s main gear and three for the kit’s tail wheel. Detail is… more |
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Me-262 Bomber and Reconnaissance UnitsPublished:
This book covers the Me-262 Bomber and recon units of World War II. The Me-262 is well known as the world’s first operational combat jet. Equally well known is the story of how Hitler insisted that the 262 be used as a bomber rather than to defend against Allied bomber raids. The book is broken up into six chapters. Chapter one covers how the decision to make the 262 a bomber came about. Chapter two covers the changeover of KG 51 from Me-410s to the 262 and initial combat outings with the 262. Combat operations are covered in chapter three. Of special interest were the intensive operations against the bridge over the Waal which went on for three weeks. Chapter four covers recon operations. The first 262 recon group was formed in June of 1944. With the jet able to roam virtually… more |
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B-25 Mitchell Walk AroundPublished:
This book is the latest in the Walk Around series from Squadron. It is in the size and format that is oh so well known to modelers around the world. This book on the B-25 covers the D, H and J variants in color photographic essay format. The book uses mainly restored warbirds as photographic subjects, and the author has been good about pointing out where the restorations have used non-standard parts. He has also provided B&W photos of wartime aircraft to show how they were originally equipped. The first section covers the C/D model with many color photos of “Yankee Warrior,” owned by the Yankee Air Museum. The C and the D were identical, with the C being built in California and the D in Kansas City. Only exterior shots are featured on this model, and this is… more |
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Antonov An-2/An-2CX ColtPublished:
I have always had an interest in the An-2 ever since watching one take off across the width of the runway at Shaw AFB. It is good to see a 1/48 kit of this much used multi-purpose aircraft. This kit makes the fifth time that the An-2 has been kitted in 1/48 scale. The first was a Soviet Union-made “desk top” model kit similar to the Allyn and Microscale kits. Neomega did one in resin, and short-run injection companies Bilek and Valom have also issued 1/48 Colt models. This new kit by Hobby Boss marks the first time a major model company has produced an injection molded kit of the An-2. Having already built the Valom offering, I was very interested to see what Hobby Boss provided.The kit comes in a stout box with 245 parts on 11 sprues. The clear parts are separately… more |
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The German Aces SpeakPublished:
This book contains interviews with four prominent Luftwaffe fighter pilots who fought from the Spanish Civil War until the end of the war in Europe in 1945. They are candid about their combat experiences, dealing with the corrupt Nazi civil government and their dislike and contempt for RFM Goering and Hitler. It presents an interesting look into World war II as viewed from “the other side.” Interview number one is with 197 victory ace Walter Krupinski. Serving mostly on the Eastern Front, his insight into combat in that arena is very interesting. Krupinski concluded his flying career with the West German Air Force after learning to fly jets in the US post-war. Next up is Fighter General and 104 victory ace Adolf Galland. Galland relates his experiences from the Spanish… more |
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Fieseler Fi-156 Storch 1938-1945Published:
This book contains all a modeler would need to build and super detail a model of the Storch in any scale. The book also includes scale plans in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35. These plans were first rate. The first 62 pages cover the basics of each and every variant of the Storch. The next 30 pages cover each of the many non-German operators of the type, also including those captured examples that were operated by both the United Kingdom and the USA. Even Gen. Eisenhower had one for his personal use. The many color profiles of these non-German Storchs help provide many alternate paint schemes to the modeler. The next 10 or so pages cover the technical description and the camouflage and markings. The final section includes many color photos of both aircraft preserved in museums and… more |
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McDonnell F2H-3/4 “Big Banjo”Published:
This book is typical of the excellent Naval Fighters series, of which this is number ninety-one. Ginter books are well known to modelers and aircraft historians alike. They provide an excellent reference source for both common and obscure Naval and USAF aircraft. All are packed with photos, drawings, and details needed by modelers, and this volume does not disappoint. This book covers the last model and upgrade to the F2H design. The book starts out with a basic summation of the changes made to the aircraft to create the F2H-3/4. The next 22 pages consist of detail photos and drawings of all the nooks and crannies modelers crave. Coverage then begins of every squadron in the USN and USMC that used the Big Banjo, totaling 123 pages. There is also an 11-page section covering the… more |