The HMS Furious started its service with the Royal Navy towards the end of WWI, converted from a “great light cruiser” as it combined a flying-platform (for take-off) and one very heavy gun of 18-inches. In the interwar years it was modified and the flying platform was extended to allow both for take-off and landing, including a brief period in which the take off and landing platforms were installed but the superstructure was still in place. Eventually the superstructure was removed and reinstalled on the starboard side, the funnel was rerouted to the side and in this configuration the carrier saw service during WWII mainly with the Home Fleet and in Norwegian waters.

Considering all the different configurations this ship had during its career there are multiple options for the drawings, i.e., with the take-off flying-platform in place, with full flying deck, etc. and the book includes drawings for both eras. Most of the line drawings are in 1/200 scale but there are some in 1/100 and 1/50, the later are more focused on guns and airplanes. The 1/200 scale drawings are focused on different sections of the ship, like the bow or details on the gun emplacement (when present).

Two pull out sheets with drawings (one set in color) are in 1/400 scale and allow you to see the full length of the hull and flying deck.

I highly recommend this book based on the high quality of the line drawings plus the historically significance of the HMS Furious, given the evolution of the hull from a converted cruiser to a full flying-deck carrier.

I would like to thank Kagero, Casemate Publishers and IPMS/USA for the review sample.