Hub Plott
Reviews By Author
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Messerschmitt Bf-109G with DB605A EnginePublished:
This is volume one in the Yellow Series from MMP. The DB-605A engine powered the majority of Bf-109G variants from the dash 1 through the dash 8 and including the dash 14 and two seat trainer variant converted from earlier G models, the dash 12. Many modifications were made over the G series production after its introduction in 1942. The Bf-109G served in Romania, Finland, Italy, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Hungary besides Germany during WWII. The book is laid out into 19 sections with coverage for each main production variants, tropical conversions, factory and filed modifications, reconnaissance versions and those assembled in Romania. A brief three page technical description and flight performance follows the main text body. The G models maximum speed at altitude varied from… more |
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Soviet Strategic Bombers: The Hammer in The Hammer and SicklePublished:
This book details Soviet strategic bombers development, use history and experimental bombers as well. Beginning with The Tu-4 “Bull” an aircraft reverse engineered from interred B-29s during WWII on until modern day. The book is broken down into 15 chapters, beginning with post war development of strategic bombers. The next seven are devoted to the main bomber types in service with the USSR. These include the aforementioned Tu-4 as well as the Tu-95 Bear, M-4 Bison, Tu-16 Badger, Tu-22 Blinder, Tu-22M Backfire and the Tu-160 Blackjack. Each aircraft is given in-depth coverage of service of both active and retired aircraft and those that were used by client states outside of the USSR. You will find each of these chapters to be very interesting and packed with information. … more |
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P-39/P-400 Airacobra vs A6M2/3 Zero-SenPublished:
This book details combat between the P-39/P-400 Airacobra and A6M2/3 Zero in New Guinea in 1942. This book follows the usual pattern/layout for this series with a history and specifications of aircraft, the training and operations of the servicemen of both nations, and then combat operations. The book is broken down into 11 sections. The introduction discusses in brief the lead up to both designs and provides a chronology from inception until the end of the war. Next the design and development of both types are covered. The P-39/P-400 is covered first then the A6m2/3 Zero. Chapter Three has the technical specifications of each model. B-29 coverage begins with the P-39D and continues with the P-39F, P-39K and P-400.The same treatment is given to the A6M, covering… more |
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Hawker Fury and Nimrod Warpaint series #116Published:
This book covers the RAF Hawker Fury and RN Nimrod. Number 116 in the very familiar Warpaint series by Guideline, this book follows their tried and true format. Beginning with the discussion of the prototype the book then moves into production models and service. All variants are covered. Begun as a private venture, the sleek inline engine Fury was the first main RAF fighter to reach speeds in excess of 200MPH. Besides the RAF the Fury also served with what are now Iran, Portugal, South Africa, Yugoslavia, Spain as well as one Panther radial engine model with Norway for trials. The naval version of the fury, the Nimrod, served well with the Royal Navy as well as with Denmark. Japan and Portugal trialed the Nimrod but no orders were forthcoming! The bulk of the book (… more |
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Consolidated PB4Y-1/1P LiberatorPublished:
This book covers the PB4Y-1/1P Liberator in US Naval service. Armed with the success of land based bombers used by the USAAC anti-submarine command in the Atlantic along with RAF Coastal Command on the other side of the Atlantic, the Navy went to the AAC to ask for a share of the B-24 production. This was granted in return for the Navy canceling orders for the Boeing PBB Sea Ranger thus freeing up that production capacity for B-29s. Ginter books are well known in both the modeling and aviation community for their in-depth photo coverage and history of the title subject. This book on the PB4Y-1 , number 105 in the Naval Fighters series, lives up to the sterling reputation established by all of the previous volumes. It is a great companion volume to the one on the PB4Y-2! … more |
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Focke Wulf Jet FightersPublished:
Justo Miranda is well known for his books on Luftwaffe paper projects and designs, having published many soft cover and hard cover books on these subjects. His background as a tech drawer and advisor to the Spanish Air Force Museum have aided in the quality of his books. This book covers the jet fighter designs of Kurt Tank and Focke-Wulf. It is divided into 29 chapters covering the jet designs that were proposed in WWII and beyond by the company and Mr. Tank. Focke Wulf, producers of the superb Fw-190 and its derivatives were probably “saved” by their decision to go with a radial engine design thus not being in direct competition with the favored Messerschmitt Company for inline engines since by winning the 1936 fighter competition meant it had first priority for… more |
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Short Stirling Units of World War 2Published:
This book is number 124 in the series and covers Short Stirling units in WWII. The Stirling was the first of the RAF’s 4 engine heavy bombers of WWII. The Stirling was a big, some would say ugly aircraft. The cockpit sat almost 23 feet above the ground. Designed to fill a 1936 request it was always hampered by having to meet the requirement that it fit within current hangers. The result was a 99 foot wingspan that affected the design’s service ceiling and load carrying capacity. The former would lead to large losses from enemy flak. Still the Stirling served the RAF as a bomber from 1940 until the last mission as a frontline bomber for the Sterling in September 1944. But this was not the end of its service. The Stirling also served as a glider tug, paratroop carrier and freighter.… more |
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Gloster GauntletPublished:
This is volume one in the Orange Series from MMP. The Gloster Gauntlet was the last open-cockpit fighter of the RAF entering into service in February 1935. In addition to the RAF, it saw service in the Commonwealth with the South African Air Force, Southern Rhodesian Air Force, and Royal Australian Air Force. Foreign users were Denmark and Finland. The book is broken down into 10 main segments beginning with an Introduction and Development and Production chapters. The original Gauntlet design with the 450hp Bristol Mercury IIA engine but due to this engine’s unreliability the Gauntlet lost out top Bristol’s own design, the Bulldog. Five years later after steady design improvements and multiple engine installations the Gauntlet now being 40MPH faster than the Bulldog won a… more |
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Modeler’s Guide to Aftermarket Aircraft DecalsPublished:
Ever wonder if there was ever a decal made for a particular aircraft by a particular company? Then this CD is for you! Totaling 861 pages of information, this CD lists aircraft decals from 1960 through late 2017. Did they miss any? Probably but they do promise updates as more information becomes available. The amount of research and work involved here is staggering. The CD-book begins with a table of contents listing every decal maker they have found. These are listed alphabetically and cover 6 pages. Next comes the explanation of the listings, giving you the name of the manufacturer, Home country, is the manufacturer active, inactive or out of print, explanatory material, scale, stock number, sheet title and finally aircraft types if not contained in the title. … more |
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Rabaul 1943-44 Reducing Japan’s Great Island FortressPublished:
This book is the second in a new series covering major air campaigns in history. This book covers the fight against the Japanese held island stronghold of Rabaul. This island fortress was blocking the allied advance to Tokyo, Home to around 100,000 troops and numerous airfields it was felt that even an all-out assault would not lead to the taking of the island. Thus the Allies began a campaign of aerial assault adding in the use of naval and land forces to reduce the ability of Rabaul to play an important part in the war. This campaign became the blueprint for further combat in the Pacific, showing that it was not necessary to occupy the island to control it. The book is broken down into 9 sections. The introduction discusses in brief the strategic importance of Rabaul and all… more |