Ray Rimell starts it off with “A steep learning curve…. Building one of the WNW AEG kits is not for the faint-hearted…” This is the fourth Modeling Special that WindSock has done and like the three that preceded it, it is simply amazing. If you have any intention of buying the WingNut Wings AEG G. IV, or for that matter any AEG G. IV, you will want this book. The rest of Ray Rimell’s quote tells you why: …but with patience and care the results can prove simply spectacular!”. Illustrated with over 230 photos, this 60-page (card covers get it to 64) guide provides a great supplement to the WindSock Datafile 51 on the AEG G. IV. Ronny Bar provides six color profiles as a ‘pull out’ centerfold with short descriptions of each profile.

Ray Rimell's choice for the build review is the Early AEG G IV and he plows straight through with his step-by-step extensive build log, greatly enhancing the instructions. Of course, this being Ray Rimell, you are also provided more than just an ‘out of the box’ build. Ray Rimell highlights his after-market add-ons and scratch-built improvements as he goes through the build utilizing period photographs and color pics of the building action. Color photos of the specific assembly details are provided from Canada’s Aviation and Space Museum’s AEG G. IV 574/18. A good part of the build goes into detailing the Daimler Benz engines, discussing optional bomb loads, painting, and rigging details.

The 1918 Aeronautical Engineering Supplement, “Report on A.E.G. Bomber, G. 105”, is a gem unto itself. Through 12 pages, you get the technical report issued by the Department of Aircraft Production on G. 105 that was captured on 12/23/17. Included are 10 period photos and 28 detail drawings along with a 3-D drawing with dimensions.

The Appendices provide a short ‘Jargon Buster’ for terminology, a bibliography, and contacts and sources for all the ‘extras’ Ray Rimell referenced in the build log.

Chapters

• A Special Forward… - Peter Jackson
• Introduction
• Inside the Boxes
• Building the Early G. IV
• The Belly of the Beast!
• Daimler Detail
• AEG Archiv
• Ronny Bar’s ‘Pull-Out’ Profiles
• 1918 Facsimile Report on G. 105
• Appendices

This is a superb book to go along with the superb WingNut kit. Ray Rimell spent over nine months on the build, far more than he spent on building the Gotha and three of the Fokker D. VII’s all put together, and it shows. I consider this book absolutely essential to maximizing your enjoyment in building this kit.

My thanks to Albatros Productions Ltd. and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!