Scale Aircraft Modelling is an excellent monthly publication focusing on modeling scale aircraft. No surprise there. And if you are a long-time fan of SAM, then it is also no surprise that I state that SAM is one of the best modeling magazines focused on aircraft that money can buy.

Averaging just under 100 pages, SAM is filled with “build” articles featuring some of the newer kits on the market as well as projects based on old favorites. In this issue (Vol 34, Issue 08), a number of featured articles span subject matter from World War I to jets, but the premiere article features the B-25.

Jay Laverty and Pat Sublemontier present an in-depth photographic reference for the B-25. Of course, the model around which this article is built (pardon the pun) is the HK 1/32nd B-25. The article really isn’t a review of the HK kit but rather it is a narrative which includes the load of aftermarket items that are made for use on the HK kit.

This book is the latest in the Walk Around series from Squadron. It is in the size and format that is oh so well known to modelers around the world. This book on the B-25 covers the D, H and J variants in color photographic essay format.

The book uses mainly restored warbirds as photographic subjects, and the author has been good about pointing out where the restorations have used non-standard parts. He has also provided B&W photos of wartime aircraft to show how they were originally equipped.

The first section covers the C/D model with many color photos of “Yankee Warrior,” owned by the Yankee Air Museum. The C and the D were identical, with the C being built in California and the D in Kansas City. Only exterior shots are featured on this model, and this is the shortest section in the book.

AIRfile Publication’s Operation Overlord, Volume 2 presents a wealth of illustrated aircraft profiles featuring various 8th and 9th Air Forces assets. The volume covers how they appeared in the lead-up, action, and aftermath of D-Day, along with a general overview of the distinctive markings (or more colloquially the "invasion stripes”) found on the various aircraft in-theater.

AIRfile’s Operation Overlord provides a detailed description of the “Distinctive Markings” carried by Allied aircraft in Northwestern Europe. Volume One is dedicated to RAF and Commonwealth aircraft, with USAAF machines to be covered in a later volume.

The production and research quality of this book is first-rate. Stiff card covers enclose over 70 glossy pages printed on thick stock. Full-color profiles are present on almost every page.

The first section of this book covers those “Distinctive Markings” carried by RAF aircraft during the portion of the War prior to the invasion of Europe. The specific markings carried by British aircraft are described and illustrated. General RAF markings practice (such as the ½-black undersides used for recognition from the ground) is covered. Also, of particular interest, markings relating to specific aircraft such as the Typhoon and Mustang are shown.

Zenith Press has just put out a book on the F-117 stealth fighter. It is written by Lt. Col. William B. O’Connor and is about a year in the life of an F-117 pilot. It starts out with the author’s flying career and then gets into the development of the F-117 and eventually the air war over Kosovo.

I really enjoyed reading this book because I like the first person, I-was-there type of book. The author does a great job of explaining how stealth technology came about and how it works, in a language that is easy for a non-pilot to understand. You almost feel like you are flying on a mission with him. I also liked how he talked about the flying community and their rituals when they finally get qualified in a particular aircraft. You also get a little taste of the politics on how promotions work in the Air Force. All in all, a very enjoyable read.

Thanks to Zenith Press and IPMS USA for allowing me to review this book.