MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor. From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then we have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history.

Wojtek Matusiak lives in Warsaw, Poland. Wojtek Matusiak is a leading World War 2 Polish Air Force and Spitfire researcher, having published numerous articles and dozens of books on the subjects, as well as readily assisting other authors. He has maintained an enthusiastic interest in the history and development of the Spitfire, as well as of Poland’s military aviation, throughout his life.

Wojtek Matusiak author’s the latest in Mushroom Model Publications' series of aircraft used in the Polish Air Force. This volume represents Wojtek Matusiak’s eleventh book for MMPBooks. The front cover by Marek Rys features a 317 Squadron Spitfire Mk. Vb during Operation Starkey in September 1943. This was a practice run in preparation for D-Day. Note how the Spitfire carries black and white stripes, but on the outer wing. The back cover by Marek Rys features another Spitfire Mk.Vb, also during Operation Starkey. This represents Volume two of a two volume series. The first volume covered Polish Squadrons from 302 through 308, while this second volume covers Squadrons 315 through 318, as well as Poles that served in other non-Polish Squadrons. Many of these photographs have never been published before.

I counted 235 black and white photos along with 6 color photographs that include detailed captions. Robert Grudzień contributes 38 full color side views, plus several color scrap views that highlight badges or other unique features. There are plenty of color scrap illustrations that highlight the detail of insignias. The great part of these color side views is they are backed up with period photos of the aircraft that is being portrayed.

The Table of Contents focuses on the following sections:

• No. 315 Squadron ‘Deblin’ [Page 10]
• No. 316 Squadron ‘City of Warsaw’ [Page 28]
• No. 317 Squadron ‘City of Wilno’
• Non-Polish Squadrons of Fighter Command [Page 62]
• Non-Operational Units
• Fighter Units in the Mediterranean 1943 [Page 72]
• No. 318 Squadron ‘City of Gdansk’ [Page 78]
• Other Units in the Mediterranean
• Polish Spitfire V Losses [Table]

Wojtek Matusiak starts off where Volume One left off by diving straight into Squadron No. 315. You can see by the contents above that this also includes through Squadron No. 318 along with other units where Poland flew Spitfire Mk Vs with the RAF units. Each of these Squadron histories address operations while they were using the Spitfire V. This includes Squadron rotations and airbases. Wojtek Matusiak also addresses other parts of Fighter Command that Polish pilots served. The photographs are accompanied with detailed captions and in most cases color side profiles of individual Spitfire Vs. I find this a major attraction in many of MMP’s books where not only sharp, clear photographs are presented but the illustrators include the color profiles that show the color differences between the aircraft.

What I really enjoyed in this book is the use of actual photographs to support the color profiles of each type. MMP Books features this in many of their books which I think is a huge attraction. This really brings these period photographs to life. One example is illustrated on Page 10 where the discussion engages the type of film used. There you can find excellent examples of the differences between panchromatic and orthochromatic photographs. Reviewing four different photographs of the squadron mascot, a dwarf. The pictures clearly show the difficulties in interpreting colors from black and white photographs.

Polish Wings 30 provides an interesting view into a lesser known chapter in aviation history. The text and captions are all in English thanks to the author who apparently moonlights on the side translating Polish and English. Wojtek Matusiak is an excellent writer and ably crafts the storyline with interesting morsels to prevent this from being simply a progression of facts. This book is essential if you're considering building any of these aircraft in scale. Luckily, being a Supemarine Spitfire Mk V means there are no shortage of options in kits and accessories to build any of the aircraft represented. There is even a ‘quasi’ advertisement on page 2 that provides specific decals for this monograph. If you have any interest in Polish (or British) aircraft, this is a must-have book.

My thanks to Casemate, Mushroom Model Publications, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!