James Kelley
Reviews By Author
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F-6C Mustang "Expert Set"Published:
The P-51 Mustang was an excellent fighter, but it also proved to be a universal photo-reconnaissance plane. Its performance: speed, ceiling, armament, and great range meant that it could efficiently reach a distant target, photograph it and safely return to the base. To become a long-range aerial spy, the Mustang, unlike, for example, the Spitfire, required only the installation of photographic equipment. The concept of the Mustang fighter appeared as a result of collaboration between the RAF and the American industry. North American Aviation factory, which had been offered to license-produce Curtiss fighters, preferred to propose their own design. The first versions of the Mustang, powered by an Allison engine, were effective on the low-to-medium altitudes, agile, solid, and… more |
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The Messerschmitt Bf-109 Early Series (V1 to E-9 including the T series)Published:
Valiant Wings Publishing's next title in the ever-popular Airframe & Miniature series is an updated, revised and expanded second edition of The Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Early versions V1 to E-9 including T-series) – A Complete Guide to The Luftwaffe's Famous Fighter by Richard A. Franks. From the Publisher: This fifth book in our much-acclaimed series has been out of print for a while now. With new early Bf 109 kits now available in all scales, plus a mass of associated accessories and decals, it seemed right to make this book available once again. It will contain:
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Junkers Ju-88A-4Published:
The first in a new Kagero series (Club 1/48), author and modeler Sebastian Piechowiak presents his build log of ICM’s 1/48 Junkers Ju-88A-4 model. With text in both Polish & English, he describes his build in a step-by-step fashion. Obviously an accomplished and talented artist, the close-up photos are greatly appreciated, showing off his techniques and results, particularly in the cockpit/interior stages. The first 17 pages are dedicated to the step-by-step build/painting. Pages 18-25 are glamor shots of the completed model. Pages 26-27 contain info and pictures of all the tools, paints, cements & solutions used in his project, which I thought was very helpful to the reader considering a similar project. Pages 28-37 contain gorgeous, archival photos of the Ju-88A-4 in… more |
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McDonnell F-4B Phantom IIPublished:
This monograph is compilations of the 4-view colour profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the McDonnel F-4B Phantom II Scale plans in 1/72 scale plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color. The book is primarily composed of ‘walk-around” type photos, with some inflight pictures as well. The scale plans are nicely done, and appear to be true to scale. The photos are an absolute must for anyone modeling this aircraft, which so many of us are in the stages of doing (Tamiya). Four of the photos are “owner’s manual” type diagram photos of the plane’s instrument panels with all components labeled. There are two similar ones specific to the Martin-Baker Mk. H7 ejection seat. Again, super helpful to the modeler… more |
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Eagles of the Luftwaffe: Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A, F and GPublished:
When it appeared in the skies over Europe in 1941, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A was the best fighter in the world. It was more than a match for the best Spitfires the RAF could field and began shooting them down in ever-increasing numbers. Only the introduction of the Spitfire IX with its two-stage supercharged Merlin overturned its supremacy. |
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Luftwaffe Victory Markings 1939–45Published:
This book provides an overview of the victory markings painted on the fins and rudders of the planes of the German day fighter and night fighter aircraft between 1939 and 1945. It demonstrates how these were applied in reality through the profiles of nineteen pilots, including some of the most emblematic pilots of the Luftwaffe: Hans Troitzsch, Johannes Gentzen, Frank Liesendahl, Wilhelm Balthasar, Otto Bertram, Joachim Müncheberg, Karl-Heinz Koch, Kurt “Kuddel” Ubben, Felix-Maria Brandis, “Fiffi” Stahlschmidt, Franz-Josef Beerenbrock, Heinrich Setz, Walter “Gulle" Oesau, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann, Heinrich Bartels, "Fritz" Dinger, Martin Drewes, Egmont zur Lippe-Weissenfeld and Ludwig Meister. Chapters include:
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Waffen-SS Armour on the Eastern Front 1941–1945: Rare Photographs from Wartime ArchivesPublished:
Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossa, was arguably the pivotal moment of the Second World War. Initially the onslaught was staggeringly successful with, as the superb contemporary images in this book show, Waffen-SS armored divisions leading the charge. But the Nazis had underestimated the Russians’ determination to defend their homeland and the logistical problems compounded by the extreme winter weather conditions. |
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Tiger Ausf.E – Visual Modelers Guide (Multilingual)Published:
Steel Series Volume 4. A work entirely devoted to the iconic Sd.Kfz. 181 Tiger Ausf. E. Fun and easily referenced sourcebook where you can visually analyze and distinguish the main versions of the Tiger I, from the initial models to the final production variants. The introduction includes some historical notes about the design and development process of the vehicle. All of this with high-quality photographs that clearly show often overlooked external details features critical to both the King Tiger and scale modelers.
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Medal of Honor Volume 4 Marine Aviators of WWII Part 2Published:
Medal of Honor Volume 4 Marine Aviators of WW2, Part 2 tells the story of five Marine aviators who earned their countries highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, in World War 2. Every aircraft in which the medal was won is shown in color profiles, together with profiles of some of their Japanese opponents. The story of these Marine aviators is told in detailed text, 189 photos (31 color), 23 aircraft in color profile, and 15 color graphics in its 130 pages. Primarily a publisher of World War I subjects, Aeronaut books has added 2 titles to their catalog that highlights WWII Aviators and their exploits. Specifically, U.S. Naval Aviators awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor while in the service of the United States Marine Corps. Oddly enough, the… more |
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Medal of Honor Volume 3: Marine Aviators of WWII Part 1Published:
Medal of Honor Volume 3 Marine Aviators of WW2, Part 1 tells the story of six Marine aviators who earned their countries highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, in World War 2. Every aircraft in which the medal was won is shown in color profiles, together with profiles of some of their Japanese opponents. The story of these Marine aviators is told in detailed text, 245 photos (58 color), 33 aircraft in color profile, 23 color graphics, and 14 black & white graphics in its 164 pages. Primarily a publisher of World War I subjects, Aeronaut books has added 2 titles to their catalog that highlights WWII Aviators and their exploits. Specifically, U.S. Naval Aviators awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor while in the service of the United States Marine Corps. Oddly enough… more |