MMPBooks (Mushroom Models Publishing) has a proven track record of offering some of the best publications on the market and this latest addition to the collection is no exception. Written by Robert Peczkowski and illsustrated by Artur Juszczak, this book is another example of the excellent publications coming from MMPBooks There are 33 books in the “Yellow Series”, featuring a wide range of aircraft from before WW II through the end of that conflict, and this book, featuring the Lockheed P-38J-L is a welcome addition becoming the 34^th book in the series.

MMPBooks offers a “preview” of the book online. Point your browser to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FCm6RlzkA and watch the preview, featuring images of some of the content. The preview runs just over 4 minutes and gives the viewer a comprehensive look at the contents of the book. While on the MMPBooks website, take the opportunity to download the Stratus Catalogue. It is 28 MB but is well worth the short download time.

The book is presented in A4 format, which means that it is 8.3 x 11.7 inches. This is an excellent size, not too big for most bookshelves, and large enough to allow the illustrations and images within to be reproduced in a size revealing much detail.

The book contains scale plans, both in 1/72^nd and 1/48^th, showing top/bottom/side views of the various versions of the P-38J-L. These scaled views are accompanied by full-color (or colour) profiles showing many of the famous and colorful paint schemes and personalized markings that modelers favor.

A thorough and comprehensive “walk-around” section covers the P-38J-L from all angles. The section of the book entitled, “Detailed Photos” reveals even the small, and often ignored small details of the main fuselage, tail booms, engines, canopy, cockpit, tail, wing, undercarriage, and armament. It is, for lack of a better phrase, a gold mine of detailed references for the modeler.

To add icing to the cake, MMPBooks includes a fantastic folded poster, illustrated by Dariusz Karnas. Karnas created a six-view illustration of a P-38L-5 in 1/48^th scale. On the reverse side of the poster, also in 1/48^th scale, Karnas presents a five-view illustration of a P-38M.

This publication is highly recommended for it excellent content, use as a research tool, use as a modeling guide, and coverage of a very unique aircraft.

Thanks to MMPBooks for the opportunity to review this excellent publication