I have been familiar with the various book series that Kagero has produced over the years – all aimed at the modeler - but this was a new line to me. “Douglas DB-7 A20G Havoc” is Number 2 in the “Club 1/48” series. Number 1 covers the Junkers Ju 88A-4 and is by the same author.

This is a softcover publication, with 45 pages in a nice, high-quality semi-gloss finish and a stiff outer cover. Text is in Polish and English. Printed on the cover is “free masking foil”, which I usually take to mean a masking set for the canopy in Kagero publications. This turns out to be a 1/48 decal. The website says this book includes a decal, so this is as planned. Probably just a translation issue. I appreciate the little ‘extras’ Kagero often includes in their publications and am probably more likely to use the decals than the masking sheet.

The book begins with a very brief history of the aircraft, and then devotes the next 26 or so pages to a build of the AMT/ERTL 1/48 A-20. Several aftermarket sets are used in the construction, and step by step photos and explanations show each part of the construction, painting and finishing of the model. The decals used are not the same as those included with the book. While products are mentioned in the text, there is also a summary of every item used in the build at the conclusion of this section. All aftermarket sets, paints, glues, and even putties are listed. I liked this little recap as it stopped me from wondering what exactly he used at a few stages of the build.

Following the build, which is by far the meat of the book, there is a 13-page “Club 1/48 mini-archives” section, featuring various photos (color and black and white) of wartime operations, along with a few modern museum shots. The photos are nice and clear with generous captions. The final pages are devoted to color profiles of the decal subject included.

I can highly recommend this book (and series so far). It basically reads like an expanded modelling article such as those found online or in some other publications. And I am always happy to follow along on the construction of a well-built model. I appreciate the finished product, and usually can pick up some new techniques or ideas along the way.

Thanks to Casemate for the review copy, and to IPMS for allowing me to review it!