I would like to thank Osprey Publishing for submitting this book and thank IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.

When we hear the name P-40 we almost invariably think of the shark mouth P-40s of The Flying Tigers doing battle with Japanese Nates and Zeroes over Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the P-40s also spent considerable time in the air over North Africa and the Mediterranean area engaging the Luftwaffe’s Bf 109. It is the latter struggle that author Carl Molesworth captures in his book P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109, MTO 1942-44.

This soft bound 7-1/4” X 9-3/4” book consists of 80 pages. The book contains many black and white periodphotographs – some rarely seen before. Each photograph is accompanied by a block of text explaining the action or activity depicted. Artist Jim Laurier adds full-color three-view drawings, cockpit drawings and armament views of the two planes. The quality of Laurier’s work leaves nothing to the imagination. The cockpit drawings have each instrument, handle, lever, and switch numbered and identified.

The book is organized in a similar manner to other books of this series. The Table of Contents lists:

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Design and development
• Technical Specifications
• The Strategic Situation
• The Combatants
• Combat
• Statistics and Analysis
• Aftermath
• Further Reading
• Index

In each of the chapters the reader will find a discussion of each aircraft in turn. For example, in the Design and Development chapter the author introduces the P-40 first and discusses the P-40 from its very beginning to the last plane produced in 1944. He then does the same with the Bf 109. This writing technique allows the author to thoroughly cover the two aircraft in an organized and easy to follow manner.

Supplementing the text are several tables, maps and artwork to further the reader’s understanding and enjoyment. Of particular interest are the two short biographies the author has included in his book, one German and one American.

P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109, MTO 1942-44 is a great book for the scale modeler and history buff alike. The photographs and drawings can be an excellent resource for modeling and diorama building. This book is possibly the first to directly compare these WWII fighters. It would be a valuable addition to any WWII aircraft book collection. Considering the price and content, it is easy for me to rate this book high on my list.

My sincere thanks go to Osprey Publishing for providing this wonderful book and to IPMS/USA for the chance to review it.