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 from Naval Archives” which is corrected on the inside cover page where “Nava;” becomes the far more accurate” Wartime”!

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

The book is divided into eight chapters. The pictures are located throughout the chapters with many of them pertaining to the particular battle being discussed by the author. Except for the first chapter in which his birth and early career are touched upon, the rest of the chapters are dedicated to the battles in which he took part. A good explanation of the battle discussed is given on each of the chapters dedicated to the particular battle. In addition, maps of the battle are also provided.

The first chapter is divided describing his early career, and the beginning of the war against Russia. It ends with the description of the battles of Smolensk-Moscow and Stalingrad. In the second chapter the author describes the failure of the Soviet troops to achieve their assigned task to thrust deep into the German lines and cut their retreat routes. The Germans thus counter-attacked that defeated the Russians.

Ammo by Mig is a well-known provider of all sorts of modeling supplies, from paints to weathering powders to tools. They also publish a fairly extensive library of ‘how-to’ type of books, such as this example.

Printed on good quality, glossy paper and bound between stiff, glossy boards, the publication values of this book, as with others I have seen from Mig, are quite high.

This particular book is written by Artur Miniszewski, an established figure painter and diorama builder. He also has a company, Mantis Miniatures, which produces resin figures and accessories. As can be expected, both Mantis and Ammo products feature prominently in this guide.

The author uses six vignettes that he created throughout the book. There are six chapters, not including the ‘summary’ at the end, with each section focusing on a particular technique or type of effect. The final chapter shows multiple views of each of the vignettes, without text.

Thank you Bill & Phil for all you do for the Reviewers!

About the Author

Richard Marmo is a free-lance writer, professional model builder and founding member of the International Plastic Modelers Society USA (IPMS/USA #2). He has also spent decades researching his family’s genealogy. He has written three print books, several hundred articles & kit review columns, a growing list of ebooks and created several CD-ROM photo galleries with more in the works. Along the way, he has produced well over 1,000 models for clients ranging from Aerospace companies to private collectors. A self-described aircraft/science fiction nut...ahem, enthusiast...he will and has built just about anything you care to name, depending on his client’s requirements.