Phoenix Scale Publications is a partnership of four people that have many years in the modeling world. They produce magazines (Scale Modeling and Aviation Modeling), Books (Red, Blue, White and Airmark series). The books are dedicated to specific planes and for this review, we look at the Airmark in Profile and in Scale series No.4, the North American A-5/RA-5 Vigilante.

The contents of the book show the layout:

• Introduction
• The A-5 and RA-5 Described
• Modellers Walkaround
• Colour and Markings
• In Detail
• Modelling Guide #1
• Modelling Guide #2
• Modelling Guide #3

The Vigilante is one of my favorite planes due to its size and the fact that it’s carrier based. The introduction covers the basics of design and deployment and specifics of the planes including the nuclear weapons. The chapter on the A-5/RA-5 differences and introduction includes details of the planes and their uses. In Detail is just that with eight specific pictures of the exterior of the plane. Lastly, there are three model builds:

• RA-5C Vigilante- 1/72 Trumpeter by James Bamford
• A-5A Vigilante 1/48 Trumpeter by Gerry Doyle
• RA-5C in Vietnam Camouflage 1/48 Trumpeter by Jarek Rydzynski

The builds are well written and the final results are phenomenal, There are many pictures and they are well done with wonderful text detailing the builds.

All in all, this is a great book on the Vigilante with coverage of the plane, its history and three wonderful model builds. This is great for modelers as it has detail, builds and history. If you are building the Trumpeter this, this is packed with great information and directions plus the three builds for a very attractive price.

My thanks to Phoenix Publications for opportunity to review this excellent book.