Reviews of books or magazines relating to scale modeling.

Book Author(s)
Dr. David Nicolle, Air Vice Marshal Gabr Ali Gabr
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
June 27, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Historical Background

This book is part of a series of detailed accounts of the developments of Arab air forces in the Middle East, concentrating mainly on the World War II era. One of the authors was a postwar pilot in the Egyptian Air Force, and the other was a PhD in Middle East History. The authors have divided the book into four major sections, the Anglo-Iraq War (May, 1941), Rebuilding the Royal Iraqi Air Force (1941-1942), the Development of the Royal Egyptian Air Force (1941-1945), and Local Involvement in Air Operations in Other Arab Lands, (1941-1942.

Book Author(s)
Alan Ranger
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 26, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

Alan Ranger is a former British Royal Engineer, collector of World War II militaria and original period photographs, and prolific author. Alan started his publishing days with Model Art of Japan, this is his 29th book in the Camera On series (he already has another three in production), typically focusing on weapon systems and vehicles. The beauty of this book is the photos were taken by German soldiers during their wartime service, not typically posed and polished propaganda shots.

Book Author(s)
Ian Baxter
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 25, 2023
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$26.95

Ian Baxter is a prolific author and has an impressive collection of photographs, many previously unpublished. The book follows the familiar Images of War format with brief introductions for each chapter followed by a lot of photographs to tell the story. While a plethora of books have been written about German armor, Ian’s latest book focuses on Germany’s allies Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, their armor, and German armor in their formations.

The Armour of Hitler's Allies in Action, 1943–1945, is composed of an introduction, four chapters and two appendixes:

  • Chapter One: Joining the Axis Powers
  • Chapter Two: Romania, 1943-44
  • Chapter Three: Bulgaria, 1944
  • Chapter Four: Hungary, 1943-45
  • Appendix One: Order of Battle
  • Appendix Two: Tanks used by the Axis Powers

Book Author(s)
Dr. Stephen Rookes & Polydore Stevens (BAF)
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 25, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the second volume of the Belgian Military Forces in Belgium. The first book, “Belgian Military Forces in the Congo, Volume 1: The Force Publique, 1885-1960”, covered the events of Belgium’s 75 years in their Congo colony, leading to the official withdrawal of Belgian forces. Volume 2 picks up in 1964 after the newly independent Republic of the Congo-Kinshasa’s (later renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo-DRC) brief, bright future was overcome with internal factions, and the independence movement spreading through Africa (with several backed by Marxist forces). While Belgium wanted to remain hands-off, it quickly became apparent that they needed to step in to protect Belgian and Congolese interests.

Book Author(s)
Robin Polderman
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
June 25, 2023
Company
Harpia Publishing
MSRP
$59.95

This volume continues Harpia Publishing’s look at the air arms of some of the less well-known nations of the world, examining the Republic of Korea’s Air Force (ROKAF).

With a highly unstable and unpredictable neighbor to the north, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has to be constantly on guard and ready to fight. To ensure its ability to do this, it is closely allied with the United States and operates not only some of the most modern aircraft built in the United States, but also several modern indigenous designs.

The book focuses on the ROKAF, its history, its current capabilities, its challenges, and its future. It also looks at the politics and alliances that play out in this region. The book is divided into eight chapters with two appendices:

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas Arthur Juszczak
Review Author
Blaine Singleton
Published on
June 24, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

The book compiles the 4-view color profiles, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Republic P-47C-5. Scale plans are in 1/72 & 1/48 scale, plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also included are photos of the details in B&W and color.

For any person wishing to build the P-47C model, this book would be a great resource. There are 3 view drawings showing the fuselage formers, wing rib size and location, panel lines on the aircraft and rivet lines. There are technical drawings for the construction of landing gear, cockpit layout and dashboard instrument locations to name a few. This book can be used to give extra detail your model’s cockpit. One page focuses on the area of the cockpit containing map pocket storage and other pocket storage areas.

Book Author(s)
Sander Peeters
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
June 24, 2023
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

The country of Suriname is located on the northeast coast of South America, bordered by Guyana in the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana in the east and Atlantic Ocean to the north, located slightly north of the equator. Suriname is a country of rich natural resources, and the south is sparsely populated with dense rainforests and savannah. The highest peak is 1,280 meters above sea level. Its history dates to the first Arawaks in 7,000-8,000 BC. The Caribs, another Amerindian tribe, invaded in 1,100 AD and drove the Arawaks from their settlements. The war was still ongoing when the first European settlers arrived with the Dutch in 1613. The British and Dutch fought two wars, the result of which was the Treat of Breda in 1667 was the Dutch got to keep Suriname, and the British kept the former Dutch Colony of New Holland. The British renamed it New York.

Book Author(s)
Richard A Franks
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
June 24, 2023
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$35.24

This is the 20th book in the Airframe and Miniature Series. This book covers the Lancaster and its predecessor the Manchester. This is part one of a series on the Lancaster and covers the Wartime Service. These books cover the development of the Aircraft, detailed walk around pictures, profiles and covers model kits and accessories to build them.

I found this book a fountain of information and rare pictures of the development of the Lancaster and the Manchester. The Profile pictures are a particular favorite and awesome source for modelling. Also, the in-detail section covering the interior etc. is perfect for the Border Models 1/32 scale kit.

The chapter on the different model builds and kits are of great interest and will provide a good resource when modelling these two tanks.

Book Author(s)
Venner F. Milewski Jr
Review Author
Dana Mathes
Published on
June 24, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$52.00

Venner Milewski Jr. has undertaken the monumental task in cataloging each and every US Navy vessel commissioned since 1883, the year congressional funding was approved for America’s first four steel warships. His encyclopedic work is titled Fighting Ships of the U.S. Navy 1883-2019. Milewski Jr.’s compilation provides the physical details of each ship, its specifications, propulsion, armament, etc. as well as the important milestones of its service life. Most of the articles include at least one, and sometimes as many as four high quality photographs of the vessel described. To date, four multi-part volumes have been published, with each part focused on a specific time period. Volume One addressed aircraft carriers while Volume Two covered battleships and New Navy monitors. Volume Three depicts cruisers and command ships.

Book Author(s)
Duke Hawkins
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
June 24, 2023
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$44.00

HMH publications is a relatively new company that produces specialized military aircraft books. This publication is 196 pages with 450+ full-color close-up detail and in action images.

The book starts out with the different versions of the Strike Eagle and then breaks down each section into particular areas of detail. In the upper right corner of each page, the area of detail is clearly defined which is perfect when thumbing through looking for each area of detail. Each image is extremely crisp showing amazing detail and perfect lighting conditions. Attention to specific areas usually hidden from many “walk around” photos are shown in this book.