Hub Plott
Reviews By Author
|
Pacific Profiles Vol. 9: Allied Fighters: P-38 Series South and Southwest Pacific 1942-1944Published:
This book covers South and Southwest pacific P-38s, broken down by squadron and has 23 chapters. In addition to basic P-38 Markings and unusual Lightnings, the following squadrons are covered: 8th PRS, 17th FS,39th FS, 6th NFS,8th PRS, 12th FS, 17thPRS, 25th PRS, 9th FS,26thPRS, 35thFS, 36th FS, 44th FS, 80th FS, 339th FS, 418th NFS, 419th NFS, 421st NFS, 431st FS, 432nd FS, 433rd FS and the Fifth Fighter Command HQ. There is an overview of the issues getting the P-38 into combat use. Each squadron chapter covers markings, losses, kills, personnel, and many other subjects. With kills, these are noted then a comparison with known Japanese losses and squadron claims is made. The real star of this book is of course the many color profiles illustrating various aircraft of… more |
|
Grumman F6F HellcatPublished:
This is number 27 in MMP’s Spotlight On series and covers the Grumman F6F Hellcat. There is a brief introduction/history of the F6F. Then the book goes right into its purpose, the many beautiful color profiles of Grumman Iron Works stalwart! Starting with early dash 3 markings in blue gray over light gray with the round US insignia minus the red center. Then moving on to the tri-color scheme and late war glossy sea blue and concluding with the Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk. I in Extra dark sea Grey, Dark Slate Grey, and Sky. Each has been thoroughly researched and meticulously replicated by the artist. If you’re a fan of the Hellcat or color profiles, then this book and series were made for you! Highly recommended to modelers for the many interesting schemes and to anyone… more |
|
Legends of Warfare P-61 Black WidowPublished:
David Doyle is well known to historians and modelers alike, with over 200 books to his credit. His Legends of Warfare series covers many of the important machines used in warfare. This latest volume is for the Northrup P-61 Black Widow. The P-61 was the first US purpose designed night fighter. Comparison in size to a medium bomber and with its twin-boom design the P-61 was a very distinctive design and popular with aviation enthusiasts and modelers alike. Monogram Models often said it was their very best selling 1/48 scale model. Hopefully soon the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum will have their P-61 back in the air. The book is broken down into seven chapters. Chapter one covers the XP and YP-61, Chapter two covers the P-61A, Chapter three the “B” model. Chapter four the “C” model.… more |
|
Classics #01 Spitfire Supermarine Mk. IX & Mk.XV1Published:
This is the first book in a new detail series. The books are cover to cover gorgeous color photos of thirty of the thirty-nine flyable Mk IXs and XVIs around the globe. The book includes pictures of the various aircraft in flight, detail shots of the cockpits, fuselage, weapons and undergoing maintenance. These photographs are of the highest quality, showing intricate details. Many of these detail shots area accompanied by explanatory captions. This book is a feast for the eyes. The modeler who wants to improve his kit as well as the super-detailer will benefit form this book. With the seeming demise of the Aero-Detail series, this is an excellent alternative and one that I feel has a bright future and I look forward to the upcoming books in this series. These will be focusing… more |
|
Japanese Heavy Fighters 1939-1945Published:
When most aviation enthusiasts and modelers think of heavy fighters, the image of larger, usually twin-engine aircraft such as the Bf-110, P-61 or Bristol Beaufighter come to mind. In Japan during WWII a heavy fighter designation meant an aircraft that were armed with large caliber machine guns and/or cannons. So, several small single engine fighters were considered to be “heavy fighters.” The book is broken down into three main sections, heavy fighters of the imperial Japanese Army Air Force, heavy fighters of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force and Japanese Aircraft weapons. Aircraft covered in the IJAAF section are the Ki-45, Ki-96, Ki-102, ki-108, Ki-83, Ki-93, Ki-94, Ki-87, Ki-64, Ki-73, Ki-98, Ki-119Ki-81, Ki-88, Ki-46 and canceled heavy fighter versions of the Ki-67.… more |
|
Focke-Wulf FW-190 Vol IVPublished:
This volume covers the Fw-190D and Ta-152 variants. It is presented in the familiar fashion of this publisher, with a column on each page in Polish and English. Captions and drawing explanations are also in both languages. Text and photos make up the first seventy-five pages of this volume. These pages cover both technical development, changes between variants, and operational use. A serial list of all productions as well as some of the most successful pilots are also covered. There is a wealth of scale drawing both in the book as well as a couple of extra loose ones. The four pages of diagrams showing all the changes from the basic A9 version into the Ds and Ta-152s are quite illuminating. The color profiles are beautifully done as is always the case with this publisher.… more |
|
P-51 MustangPublished:
The P-51 Mustang. An icon of WWII held in the same esteem as the Spitfire, Thunderbolt and Hurricane by enthusiasts and historians alike. Aviation historian martin W, Bowman has compiled a wonderful album of photos of all marks that saw combat, from the P-51A to the F-82G. Some of these photos will be familiar to all, but many are new or have seldom been seen. There are nine pages of introductory text that give a brief overview of the history of the mustang from April 1940 when NAA proposed a new design to the British through its final military service with the Dominican Air Force, last flight of which occurred in 1984. Each of the photos has a fully informative caption giving the needed information. The only “funny” thing is on the cover it advertises “Rare photographs… more |
|
Corsair Cockpits F4U-1 FamilyPublished:
This is volume 1 in a series. The book is by Dana Bell, well known author to modelers and historians alike for his work in aircraft colors. He is a retired researcher and Tech specialist for the NASM. This volume covers the multitude of changes in the cockpits of Corsairs from the XF4U-1 through 1D built by Vought, The F3A-1 and 1A built by Brewster and those from theFG-1 to FG-1D built by Goodyear. This book is a super-detailer’s dream. Changes in cockpit configuration are specified out by both contract and bureau number so you can detail out your specific build as accurately as you wish to. The book is broken down into sections dealing with specific details. Starting with the XF4U-1 and then covering the birdcage variants canopy and armor. These are followed… more |
|
Fifth Generation FightersPublished:
This is a revised and updated edition of the book originally published in 2018. The book covers the most modern of fighter aircraft currently in use and development. It is divided into nineteen chapters. The first six chapters of the book cover the development of Jet fighters after WWII along with advances in armament, the use of missiles attempting to replace dogfighting as well as avionics and radar improvements and the development of stealth technologies. The next nine chapters are aircraft specific, each covering one of the types flying at time of publication. First up is the first of the fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 covering its successes and problems, including the issues with the environmental systems that led to pilots having issues after landing with… more |
|
XP-55 Ascender Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is a name well known for their replacement white metal landing gear for many different scales and kits. This set provides replacement for the Modelsvit 1/48 XP-55. Besides the landing gear you are also given a white metal nosewheel gear bay roof which will no doubt aide in preventing the model from tail sitting or at least reduce the amount of added nose weight required. These are drop fit replacements for the kit plastic landing gear and are also stronger. I have used many of these sets on my tricycle landing gear builds. The extra strength of these is extremely helpful especially when a large amount of nose weight is required. They are always well molded and easy to use. CA glue is required, and I have used every type of model paint from… more |