Hub Plott
Reviews By Author
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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 |
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Legends of Warfare Aviation: Grumman F4F WildcatPublished:
This is a new series for me at least. This is a nice hardback book that covers the Grumman F4F Wildcat and the FM series of Wildcats built by Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors during WWII. The Wildcat continued in production and to fight throughout the war even as newer and better aircraft became available. The book has 12 chapters each covering the different variants. The layout is the first chapter on the XF4F-2, followed by chapters each on the following: XF4f-3 and F4F-3, the F4F-3 in detail, XF4F-5, XF4F-6/F4F-3A, F4F-3S, XF4F-4, F4F-4, F4F-7, XF4F-8, FM-1, FM-2 and Wildcat in combat. The book uses many wartime photos mixed in with color photos of museum and restored warbirds to tell the story. The book has wonderful detail shots of each variant, quite a… more |
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Russian Tactical Aviation Since 2001Published:
Growing up during the Cold War which encompassed the red scare and fight against global communism, photos and information on aviation in the USSR was pretty skimpy! A short video of a plane flying over a parade in Red Square or a few grainy, slightly out of focus black and white photos Were all there was. A little bit more was available on export models as they were used by Soviet Client states and thanks to the September 6, 1976 defection of Viktor Belenko flying his Mig-25 to Japan a bit more was available on that aircraft. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain and communism much more information is readily available to the modeler and aviation historian on Russian aviation designs and tactics. The authors are the go to folks for this information. I have had the pleasure of… more |
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B-29 Superfortress Vs Ki-44 "Tojo" Pacific Theater 1944-45Published:
This book details combat between the Boeing B-29 Superfortress and the Nakjima Ki-44 “Tojo” in the war against Japan. The B-29s rained destruction down upon Japan daily and the Japanese were desperate to combat the large number of bombers the Americans sent at the home islands. One of Japan’s most formidable weapons was the Ki-44, Japan’s most heavily armed single seat fighter. 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 B-29 is covered first then the Ki-44. Chapter Three has the technical specifications of each model. B-29 coverage is on everything from the XB-29 through… more |
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YF-23 ATF Air Force Legends Number 220Published:
This book covers the Northrop YF-23 which was in competition with the F-22 for the ATF contract. The book is written by the chief test pilot of the Yf-23 program and the in-depth knowledge of the author really shows in the book. While the F-22 was chosen many, including myself consider the YF-23 the more aesthetically pleasing of the two designs. 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, number 220 in the Air Force legend series lives up to the sterling reputation established by all of the previous volumes. Being a more modern subject, the book is overflowing with color photos. The book begins with an overview of the development of stealth technology and the… more |
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Vought OS2U Kingfisher Warpaint Series #111Published:
This book covers the Vought OS2U Kingfisher. Number 111 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 including the XOS2U-4 and those made by the Naval Aircraft Factory. Next, comes the extensive overseas service by the Kingfisher. Serving with Australia, throughout Latin America and Russia, brief coverage of the numbers involved and their use is given. This is followed by a detailed description of the aircraft, all its specifications, and fittings. The largest section covers the use of the aircraft in war time service with the USN shipboard, USMC use and those based on seaplane bases and… more |
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Ju 52/3m Bomber and Transport Units 1936-41Published:
This book traces the early history of Ju-52 combat units and operations. The book is broken up into six chapters. Chapter one covers the development of Junkers Ju-52 from the lifting of the ban imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the production of commercial aircraft in 1922. Beginning with the all metal F-13 and moving through the A-20 and on to the G-24 leading up to project “EF 30”. This was essentially a single engine Ju-52 and eventually progressing to the now familiar three engine design. There is a brief discussion of their use by Bolivia in the war with Paraguay that was very interesting. Discussion is also present on the civilian use of the Ju-52 noting that by March 31,1936 839 Ju-52s had been built and orders came from all over Europe, North and South America,… more |