Air Modeller #40, February/March 2012

Published: March 30, 2012
Company: Air Modeller

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… more

MiG-3 Aces of World War 2

Published: March 29, 2012
Book Author(s): Dmitriy Khazanov and Aleksander Medved
Company: Osprey Publishing

This is number 102 in the well-known Aircraft of the Aces series from Osprey. Like others in the series, this book does not disappoint! This is the first English language publication with information about the aces that flew the MiG-3.

The book is broken down into six chapters. Chapter one covers the development and deployment of the MiG-3, with the next four chapters covering VVS… more

Propliners of the World Vol. 1

Published: March 29, 2012
Book Author(s): Gerry Manning
Company: Flight Recorder Publications

This book is a photographic look at classic prop driven aircraft around the world. Some of the aircraft covered in volume one are the DC-3, DH Beaver, Twin Otter, Beech 18, Norseman, and Connie, as well as some of the early turbo-props.

Chapter one is a photo essay on the venerable DC-3, covering both restored examples and those still earning a living, as well as the turbo-prop… more

Propliners of the World Vol. 2

Published: February 27, 2012
Book Author(s): Gerry Manning
Company: Flight Recorder Publications

This book is a photographic look at classic prop-driven water bombers, cargo carriers, and prop aircraft activities in South America. Some of the aircraft covered in volume two are the Catalina, Mars, CL-215, Conair Firecat (Grumman S-2), A-26, P2V, C-46 and more.

Chapter one is a photo essay on the various ex-warplanes and civil airliners that now make their living as fire bombers.… more

Fighters over France 1940 - Book With Decals

Published: January 22, 2012
Book Author(s): Maciej Goralczyk, Mariusz Lukasik, Andrzej Sadio, and Janusz Swiation
Company: Kagero Publishing

This is essentially a book of lovely color aircraft profiles! There are 16 aircraft covered by this book: three D. 520s, two Hawk 75s, 4 MS 406s, one Bf-110C, and six Bf-109Es that were engaged in the Battle of France in 1940. The profiles are beautifully drawn and each is accompanied by a short caption in both English and Polish detailing a short history of the pilot and aircraft depicted.… more

F-86 Sabre Owner's Workshop Manual

Published: December 14, 2011
Book Author(s): Mark Linney
Company: Haynes Publishing

This is the second book in this series that I have had the pleasure of reviewing, the first being for the RMS Titanic. The reader is presented both with history of the airframe type and the basic knowledge to safely start, operate and maintain an F-86A Sabre.

This book begins with the story of the Sabre’s development and testing. Next is a good overview of the Sabre’s combat history.… more

The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: A Complete History

Published: October 15, 2011
Book Author(s): Peter C. Smith
Company: Specialty Press

This book is an in-depth look at the Ju 87. When the title says a complete history, it means just that! This book covers the development of the Stuka up to modern day survivors. It has coverage of each variant as well as every area of combat in which the Stuka fought.

The first two chapters cover the development and genus of the design. Touching on its competitors as well and giving… more

GRUNTS: Inside the American Combat Experience WWII through Iraq

Published: September 27, 2011
Book Author(s): John C. McManus
Company: NAL Caliber Trade Paperback

This thick book gives one a close up look at the life of the fighting infantryman! Each of the 10 chapters covers a specific battle and the experiences of those who fought there. From the Pacific theatre to the European, from Vietnam to Iraq, you are there on the beaches, in the foxholes, the rice paddies and through the streets of Fallujah.

This book gives you a very good sense of the… more

AVIONS - Le Grand Guide du Maquettisme (Guide to Model Aircraft Building Techniques)

Published: September 7, 2011
Book Author(s): Juan Manuel Villalba
Company: Histoire and Collections

This large book (8 ¼ inches x 12 inches) was originally titled Aviation Modeling Techniques: The Greatest Guide when first published by Euromodelismo.. The book is profusely illustrated with almost 1000 color photos. The book is entirely in French. Each chapter covers the complete building process of one aircraft model. These chapters cover aircraft from WWI up to modern day.… more

Soviet and Russian Testbed Aircraft

Published: July 18, 2011
Book Author(s): Yefim Gordon & Dmitriy Komissarov
Company: Hikoki Publications

This is a very large book covering Soviet and Russian test and research aircraft from the late 1930s to modern times. The book contains eight separate chapters of varying lengths devoted to specific areas of research and testing. The Russians and Soviets have developed many interesting designs over the years and this book gives us a look at some of the most unusual.

• Chapter one… more