Valiant Wings’ Airframe Detail series reaches number 12, with the Bristol Bulldog featured in this volume. The interwar period saw rapid development of airframes and engines and in the mid-twenties, the RAF found its service fighters were quickly becoming obsolete. Enter the Bristol Bulldog, which was an advance on what was then available, but, as a two-gun biplane, itself became obsolescent within a few years. Nevertheless, the type was widely exported and did see combat in the late 1930’s.

This volume follows the established format for the series, with a section on development and service, both with the RAF and in foreign skies; an extensive and detailed look under the skin with walk-around photos of the preserved example at the RAF Museum, Hendon, and technical photos and diagrams; a chapter on colors and markings featuring 51 full-color side profiles by the renowned Richard Caruana; and a very nice build of the recent Airfix 1.48 kit by noted modeler, Steve Evans. The book is rounded out with some short appendices, though why there are two different appendices listing all the kits ever issued (and some that weren’t!) is a mystery – they cover the same ground with slightly different words!

Franks’ text is concise yet detailed, and is for the most part very readable. There is much useful information here both for the modeler and enthusiast. As one might expect, the book is heavily illustrated with period photos, most of which are reproduced to a high standard. Some of the walk-around photos are a bit small to be of much use, but the extensive collection of technical photos and diagrams is excellent and highly useful.

Caruana’s profiles are of his usual high standard and are great eye-candy and inspiration, while Evans’ build of the Airfix kit is excellent. There aren’t that many kits of the type, hence just the one build, but those that have been released – many of which are 1/48 kits re-popped from the old Inpact and Merit kits (they are not the same!) - are listed at the end of the book along with a list of accessories and decals, while there’s a comprehensive bibliography, too.

The book is quite short at 88 pages, but covers a lot of ground and is a terrific reference for anyone considering building the Airfix kit or any of the other, older kits of the type, and is a useful addition to any enthusiast’s library. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Simon, Mark and the crew at Valiant Wings for the review sample.