Hub Plott
Reviews By Author
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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 |
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B-52G/H Stratofortress In ActionPublished:
The B-52 has a long history. First flown in 1952, first entering service in 1955, and with the last airframe out for delivery in 1962, the B-52 soldiers on, still serving today alongside both its replacements 50 years later. This latest (#207) in the In Action series covers the last two variants of this iconic bomber. There is an introduction and then a brief overview of both variants and their participation in conflicts from Vietnam to today. Like most in the In Action series, the bulk of the volume is made up of photographs, the majority of which are in color. It is especially nice to have many color photos of the various nose art carried by the G and H models. Interior color photos are also included. A large portion of this volume covers all of the various ordnance… more |
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Inferno: The Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in World War IIPublished:
Almost anyone who has seen any documentary of the war in the Pacific has seen images of the very badly damaged aircraft carrier USS Franklin. This book is her story and tells the story of how the “Big Ben” became “the ship that would not die.” The book begins with the shakedown cruise, where the crew becomes familiar with their new charge and her operations. The story then moves on to her first combat and continues on through the significant combat operations that “Big Ben” was a part of in the central and western Pacific. Throughout the book are many personal accounts of the sailors and aviators who crewed the carrier, which adds a great personal touch to the history told within. All this leads up to the events of March 19, 1945, when Big Ben had sailed to within 55… more |
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AirbornePublished:
This book is a collection of flying stories and not about paratroops, as some may infer from the title. The author has an impressive resume, to say the least! He has served as a test pilot, RAF pilot, movie and demonstration pilot, air show pilot and won the British Aerobatic Championship 13 times, so he knows what he is talking about. All of the stories are his personal experiences flying various aircraft from a 1912 Monoplane, various WWII aircraft and on into the jet age. I particularly enjoyed his recounting of flying a Spanish built He-111 from Spain to the UK for noted warbird collector, Doug Arnold. The various trials and tribulations, not the least of which was poorly translated operations manual and pilot notes, made for a very interesting flight. I found all of the… more |
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Air Modeller #40, February/March 2012Published:
This is a high quality magazine filled with high quality photos of extremely well done models. I have never found an issue of this magazine to disappoint and this issue is certainly no different in that regard! This issue has seven feature articles, with something for any aircraft modeler regardless of era or scale built. In the first article, we get to look at a gorgeous build of the HpH 1/32 L-29 Delphin. HpH kits are resin kits of extremely high quality and the asking price for them may have made some people hold off until you see what is in the box. Fear not, as the casting is flawless and the detail is magnificent! Next comes converting a 1/48 Tamiya Me-262 to a Me-262A1a/U3. The third article is the cover feature, a 1/48 Airfix Seafire 47. The added detail and workmanship… more |