After a near decade long hiatus, the Detail and Scale series is back up and producing modeler focused references for some of our favorite aircraft subjects. In this volume, number 13 in the new series, the authors follow up volume 12 by completing their examination of the FJ Fury series of Naval fighter aircraft. The book opens with an introduction to Burt Kinzey and Richard “Rock” Roszak. I found these bios helpful since I missed collecting the original series having taken a modeling hiatus of my own. A recap of volume one backfills what the reader missed if they don’t have volume 12. The focus of this volume is primarily the FJ-4 and FJ-4B with brief coverage of the FJ-4F. A history of development and employment of each type follows. Color profiles done by Mr. Roszak highlight colors and markings of various units and a complete list of the unit assignments is included. As the title implies, this volume provides clear explanations of the physical differences that distinguish the FJ-4 from the FJ-4B. It does so in pictures, drawings and words.

In the next section, it becomes clear this book is by modelers for modelers. Under the chapter heading of “Fury Details” there are sections that cover every detail a model builder would want to create a true replica of an FJ-4/4B. Everything from the cockpit to the tailpipe is covered in detailed color photographs. If you buy the digital edition, such as the one I was provided for this review, you have the ability to enlarge those details without losing clarity. That’s a real plus for those of us who don’t see as well as we used to.

To endcap this volume the last section provides reviews for kits of the FJ-4 and FJ-4B. Covering four scales, these are comprehensive, objectively critical overviews of how various kits measure up or not. I took on this review because I happened to have one those kits in the stash. As it turns out, the decal options are not for the version of the kit that in the box. Luckly, given the information in this volume, I’ll be able to produce an accurate model. If you want to build a FJ-4 or FJ-4B there is no other reference you will need. Highly recommended! Thank You to Detail and Scale for re-introducing me to this book series and to IPMS for arranging a review sample.