Warpaint’s latest is their standard A4 format,, softbound publication that is 48 pages (excluding covers) on Convair's B-36 Peacemaker series. Featuring 99 photographs (13 in color) along with 23 of Richard J. Caruana’s color profiles, including his color centerfold of “Miss Featherweight:” a B-36H-1-CF Peacemaker. The color profiles are further enhanced with color scrap illustration of opposite sides of the fuselage as necessary to depict special markings. Nose art and other special markings are also presented enlarged to show off details.

Kev Darling starts out with the seven year development of the Peacemaker, initiating in April 1941 with the initial USAAF specification. The impact of the Pacific war on the project is highlighted as well as ample discussion of the political, financial, technical issues that prolonged the service entry of the B-36.

“The Peacemaker Revealed” provides a complete technical description of the B-36, nicely illustrated with photo highlights to escort the narrative. Flight characteristics are described in conjunction with the proving trials of the aircraft to demonstrate to one and all that it could actually meet its performance goals.

The battle for the Peacemaker program to just survive began in earnest in 1949 as President Truman faced a severe budget crisis and the MiG-15 was revealed to the world. Ken Darling continues the development of each successive version of the B-36, from the ‘B’ through the ‘J’ models. Special activities are well documented and include the FICON project with Republic F-84, Project Tom Tom with wingtip mounted F-84s, and the NB-36 nuclear powered bomber.

Kev Darling continues with the development of the all jet-engined Convair YB-60 in its competition against the Boeing B-52.

The Chapters include:

• Introduction
• Born in War…
• …But Flown in Peace
• The Peacemaker Revealed
• The B-36 in the Sky
• The B-36 Enters Service
• B-36 the Next Phase
• B-36, the Last Models
• FICON
• NB-36 – The Nuclear Bomber
• YB-60 – A B-36 with Jet Engines
• XC-99
• Convair B-36 ‘Peacemaker’ In Detail
• The B-36 Tanker
• B-36 As a Missile Carrier

The Tables include:

• Convair B-36 Specifications
• Convair B-36 Operational Units
• Convair B-36 Production
• Convair B-36 ‘Peacemaker’ Kits, Decals, and Accessories

This tome is really a handy reference for the Convair Peacemaker with plenty of photos and illustrations to help you with your Hobbycraft 1/144 Peacemakers or the huge Monogram 1-72^nd kit. If you have any of the Warpaint series, you know how great a value this book is. Highly Recommended!

My thanks to Guideline Publications and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!