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Book Author(s)
Yawar Mazhar & Usman Shabbir
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Part of the Asia@War series, Eagles of Destiny Volume 2 is a detailed account of the transformation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the help of the first US MDAP, and how its leadership utilized this opportunity to create a modern air force. It provides detailed coverage of the PAF's participation in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, based on official documentation and material from private collections that were previously not available to the public. The story of the Pakistan Air Force during this period is concluded by the coverage of the first build-up with the Chinese support, against the backdrop of US sanctions, highlighting and discussing the challenges and response.

Book Author(s)
Robert Pied and Nicolas Deboeck
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$42.00

The Rockwell (I have a hard time pretending it is a ‘Boeing’ aircraft…!) B-1B has been an integral part of the USAF’s bomber force since the 1980s and is still a highly capable aircraft, though the arrival of the B-21 in the near future will end its sterling service.

This latest book in the ‘Duke Hawkins’ series brings a complete portrait of the B-1B, covering the type in great detail, both inside and out in over 400 colour photos. There isn’t a detail that is overlooked in this 180-page book; every part of the fuselage, wings, landing gear, vertical and horizontal tails are mixed with spectacular action photographs from aircraft based at Dyess Air Force Base or Ellsworth Air Force Base.

​A large chapter in this book is dedicated to the cockpit of the B-1B, showing every detail of the front and the back cockpit of the 4 crew members.

Book Author(s)
Sanjay Badri-Maharaj and Everton Pedroza
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

“To call the relationship between India and Pakistan of the early 21st Century “fraught” would be an understatement. Much of this was attributed to religious differences – India being 78-80 percent Hindu and Pakistan being well over 95 percent Muslim – and to differences over the ‘ownership’ of the Kashmir region. However, this was not only simplistic: it was almost entirely wrong; indeed, insulting to the huge Indian-Muslim population, which has been steadfastly loyal to the Indian Republic and its secular Constitution (despite occasional concerns over the attitude of ruling political parties), and thus, an integral part of India’s society.”

The author continues,

Book Author(s)
Darren Poole; Illustrators: Luke Canossa and Tom Cooper
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is the second of a two-book series on the American counterinsurgency against the Viet Cong. Here is the review for Hunting the Viet Cong - The Counterinsurgency Campaign in South Vietnam, 1961-1963, Vol 1-The Strategic Hamlet Programme. The second volume examines why the strategy ultimately failed when the Strategic Hamlet Program “seriously hurt and ‘cut up’ the VC”.

Book Author(s)
Michael John Claringbould
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Avonmore Books
MSRP
$42.95

This book covers South and Southwest pacific P-38s, broken down by squadron and has 23 chapters. In addition to basic P-38 Markings and unusual Lightnings, the following squadrons are covered: 8th PRS, 17th FS,39th FS, 6th NFS,8th PRS, 12th FS, 17thPRS, 25th PRS, 9th FS,26thPRS, 35thFS, 36th FS, 44th FS, 80th FS, 339th FS, 418th NFS, 419th NFS, 421st NFS, 431st FS, 432nd FS, 433rd FS and the Fifth Fighter Command HQ.

There is an overview of the issues getting the P-38 into combat use. Each squadron chapter covers markings, losses, kills, personnel, and many other subjects. With kills, these are noted then a comparison with known Japanese losses and squadron claims is made.

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

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 they have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history. MMP Books are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$75.00

The OV-10A Bronco was a light attack/recon/COIN aircraft designed in the 1960s for use by three US services, the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and amazingly enough was eventually bought and used by all three. First entering service in 1969 in time to serve in Vietnam, the type exited service in 1995, shortly after seeing service in the Iraq War. Some are still flying with civilian operators and as a warbird.

To the delight of modellers everywhere, ICM are still turning out quality product despite being in a war zone. Their OV-10A first appeared in 2022 in US Navy guise; it is now the turn of the Marines. Jarrod Booth has effectively reviewed the kit on this website, but I will add my impressions.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$224.99

When ICM announced and started showing drawings of a new CH-54A Tarhe (more commonly called a skycrane), people were excited and then realized, it was in large, glorious 1/35 scale too. When the opportunity to review it came up, I begged for it and was lucky enough to get the opportunity.

Inside the box are 14 sprues of grey plastic and one sprue of clear. Decals are also included. The sprues are well done as there are multiples of sprue H. This is the one with wheels, and engine parts and there are four total which includes some spares. Sprue J are the rotor blades and there are three with two blades each. One of the first things to notice is the very petit and well-done rivets. This helicopter was not built for speed but strength and there are hundreds of rivets all duplicated very well. The clear parts are very thin and clear. Overall, we have 534 parts to assemble with some options mentioned below. By the way, both markings are for Vietnam War variants.

Book Author(s)
Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Avonmore Books
MSRP
$48.95

Avonmore Books is an Australian publisher specializing in military and aviation history, with a particular interest on the early period of the Pacific War. Avonmore prides itself in being the only mainstream Australian military history publisher producing full colour, illustrated books. While expensive to produce, we strive to produce titles that are a pleasure to own and read, and which incorporate first-class profiles, illustrations, and maps. To date, Avonmore Books has published 25 aviation books.