This issue of the Spotlight On series deals with the three major types of fighter used by the Royal Air Force against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. The book is aimed primarily towards modelers who are interested in modeling the three major types used in that conflict, the Hurricane, Spitfire, and Defiant. The author begins with a one page summary of the battle, telling who was involved, and the types of aircraft used. The British, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians, and South Africans are mentioned, along with the Poles, Czechs, and Belgians. Oddly, the Americans are not mentioned.

The major feature of the book is the selection of color drawings of specific aircraft, including 20 Hurricanes, 12 Spitfires, and 2 Defiants in representative color schemes. Side views are provided, along with two Hurricane and one Spitfire top view to illustrate camouflage patterns. Since the camouflage patterns were largely similar during this time period, the coverage is adequate, although there is no top view for the single camouflaged Defiant, the second example being an all-black night fighter. In addition, detailed drawings are provided for the instrument panels of the Hurricanes and Spitfires, with identification of the instruments for those not familiar with airplane cockpits. Finally, a one page listing of 20 aces whose airplanes are illustrated tells a little about the pilots, the squadrons they flew with, and how many victories they achieved during the battle.

Any modeler who intends to build models of any of these types will find that the book will provide much useful information, although sources of decals would have been helpful. I know that I have modeled many RAF fighters from this period, and will find the book extremely useful in future modeling. I would highly recommend it to serious modelers of RAF aircraft.

Thanks to Casemate and IPMS-USA for the review copy and the opportunity to review it.