Boston in Russian Service
Kotelnikov, Military Chronicles Series #1, Moscow, 2002

The Douglad A-20 often gets little press after its stablemates, the Mitchell and Marauder. Still, it soldiered on all fronts of the conflict and ranks as my favorite US twin. This glossy monograph covers the "Boston" history in VVS service with a wealth of period photos, high quality color plates, and excellent scale drawings. Like many other lend-lease types, the A-20 seems to be modestly recorded on film as many of the image will be familiar to the more astute VSV students. Still an admirable effort and I'd love to see more coverage of the type, along with others, in VVS service.

I bought this at a show a few years ago and I still often see it at shows. I have no idea about its availability beyond your local modeling show.

Hurricane in Foreign Service
Wawrynski, AJaKS, Poland, 2002

AJaKS is a Polish publisher who released this interesting monoraph a few years back. With a comprehensive collection of period photos and high quality color plates, it provides a "one-stop" for the intriguing non-RAF schemes worn by the vaunted Hurricane. Chapters covering Belgium, Finland, Yugoslavia, Luftwaffe, Regia Aeronautica and, most prominently, VVS use of the Hurricane compile information from a variety of sources into this single edition. A handful of recent images of an unrestored Finnish machine illustrate the unqiue camo carried in Finnish service.

A Polish friend secured this edition for me. It, and other quality AJaKS publications are avaialble through Jadar.



Chalchyn-Gol 1939
Kolomyjec, Wydawnictwo Militaria, Warsaw, 2002

Wydawntictwo Militaria focuses mainly on armor subjects, but their a/c monographs should not be overlooked. Their Chalchyn-Gol monograph stays true to their usual armor format, but offers the a/c modeler a wider perspective into the campaign, as seen from the ground. Although the focus is Soviets forces, numerous photos of captured and destroyed Japanese equipment are included to illustrate the variety of machines put forth by both sides of this conflict. A small section covers airpower. From the photos, one quickly notices the complete absence or trees or any form of natural cover and the similarties between this campaign and the later North Africa theater are apparent.

I purchased this while in Europe last year. It can be obtained through the Wydawnictwo Militaria site.

Kawasaki Ki-10 Perry
Januszewski & Szeremeta, Wisniowa, Poland, 2007

With the back-to-back release of the ICM 72nd scale and Fine Molds 48th scale Perry, this inaugural title from Polish publisher, Tenzan, was very timely. Drawing heavily on Soviet archival material from a captured Ki-10, this monograph provides a one-stop for all things "Perry". Scale plans, high quality color plates, photos and technical drawings, this monograph is essential for the modeler looking to superdetail their Perry kit. I'm eager to see what this publisher offers next!

I purchased this title directly from Poland. It can be obtained directly from the publisher here.

Fighters Over the Steppe
Kongdratiev, Air Battles of the 20th Century, Moscow, 2008

With the ever-increasing availability of archival information from former Soviet files, this book was a welcome addition to my shelf. Perfect bound with high quality stain paper, Fighters Over the Steppe offers a fine blend of archival photos (old favorites with some new images, high quality color plates, and scale drawings of the major types involved in the Khalkin Gol/Nomonahon Incident. The Russian-only text may be challenging to some, but the photos and color schemes will provide ample inspiration for the modeler looking for something different for their early VVS aircraft. Japanese involvement is also covered, although limited to mostly well-known images from the JAAF perspective. In particular, the "demon head" Ki-27 featured in the Fighters Over China set is presented here, with a reasonably clear of this particular a/c after it was downed and inspected by Soviet troops.

A Russian friend (thanks Viktor!) secured a copy for me; I have little idea about its current availability or distribution.

Italian Armour in German Service 1943-1945
Guglielmi, Roadrunner/Mattioli 1885, Parma, 2005

The Italian army fielded a large number of armored vehicles throughout the war. Many of these are poorly documented (especially within English language publications), yet continue to be intriguing subjects for armor modelers. Many of these vehicles were evacuated and soldiered on with the German army following to 1943 armistice. This handsome tome weighs in with nearly 300 pages and is loaded with rare and exciting images of these vehicles during wartime. Nearly all of the images are from private, unpublished collections. The author clearly labored with love on the exhaustive research, uncovering markings and camo details that have not been previously seen. High quality color plates round out the book. With Italeri ramping up their output of Italian tanks and armored cars, modelers will have more inspiration than ever to complete their Italian armor collections.
    This book is available through the publisher here.

PZL P.24
Skulski, Ace Publication, Wroclaw, 2002

     Ace Publications have been quietly putting out their "Pod Lupa" series of monographs for a few years now and series #15 on the PZL P24 was one of the more intriguing titles to me. This arrived just as Mirage released their very nice PZL P.24 kit.  This 36 page softcover monograph has everything the modeler would need to superdetail their kit- factory drawings, scale planes, period photos, color plates and a walk around of a surviving airframe in Turkey. A modest modeling section is included.
    I obtained this title from a friend in Poland. I'm not sure if it's available, but I have seen it at shows and on eBay for a modest price. I really want to get around to the Mirage kit in Greek markings...one of these days.

This recent installment of the "Militaria i Fakty" periodical from AJAKS is a full-color, 48 page showcase of T-34 schemes, beginning with the 1940 models until the close of the war. A brief dual language history is presented, while all profile and marking captions are in Polish. That certainly doesn't detract from the range of markings presented. One potential drawback for some modelers may be the lack of photos corresponding to each illustration; perhaps the authors sourced them from private collections? At any rate, it's still an inspiring resource for armor modelers.
This title can be obtained through Jadar Hobby in Poland at this link.

The final installment of a three-part series on the T-34 from AJAKS, this monograph comes in at 96 pages. With the focus on the late T-34/85 model, the authors present a clear, concise production history of this model, as well as its use in the Great Patriotic War and a summary of post-war users. Several pages of 35th scale drawings and line perspectives provide equally clear distinctions among the "85's" which are imminently helpful for the modeler. The final section provides a survey of currently available T-34/85 kits with accompanying photos and reviews. A modest set of color plates round out the title...I suppose we'll still await the definative color history of the T-34's service in the Guinean army! Another fine T-34 title and rounds out this three-part effort nicely. I believe this title has gone OOP, but the other parts of the series can be acquired through Jadar Hobby at this link.

Tank Warfare on Iwo Jima
Harper, Squadron-Signal, Carrollton TX, 2008

Squdron-Signal is well known as modeling publisher and this title brings renewed excitement to their catalog. We're offered 96 pages of archival and personal photos showiing the range of personal and tactical makrings carried on USMC Shermans during the Iwo Jima campaign. Highlighted with (13) high quality color plates and two pages of color period photos, this book provides ample inspiration for the modeler looking for a diversion from the usual OD Shermans. The layout and production quality is also quite nice (better than most Squadron publications) and I hope they stay on this track for future books.

Hein Squadron- A Pictorial History of the 244th Sentai
Sakuri, Dainippon Kaiga, Tokyo, 2004

The vaulted Kawasaki Ki-61 Hein series- a perpetual favorite of new and master scale modelers everywhere. The 244th sentai's stunning camo and rudder flashes combined to create some of the most photogenic fighting aircraft from the conflict. This volume is a stunning photo achievement. Apart from some of the "usual suspect" images, a slew of clear, vivid b/w photos from private sources make this book a must. A dozen high quality color plates and some "colorized" b/w photos enhance the photo content. The added benefit are the English translation for all photos- a real treat for those of us needing to brush up our Japanese skill!

This book has gone OOP, but still shows up on eBay for a reasonable price- highly recommended!

The Dynamite Gang- The 367th Fighter Group in WWII
Groh, Aero Publishers, Fallbrook CA, 1983

As a unit within the USAAF's 9th Air Force, the 367th entered the ETO as the final thrust was made against the Luftwaffe and German Army. First flying the distinct P-38 Lightning, and later the P-47 Thunderbolt, the 367th "Dynamite Gang" mixed it up with in the air and on the ground in support of VE-Day. This softbound monograph draws heavily from veterans' personal albums for a photo-filled memoir of the 367th, along with a text history. Of special interest are the stunning nose art photos. Nicely rendered b/w profiles should inspire the modeler- too bad they're not in color.

This is another title that has gone OOP, along with many other fine Aero Publishers titles. You'll see the occasional copy at the usual online used book dealers.

The German Giants- The German R-Planes 1914-1918
Haddow & Grosz, Funk & Wagnalls, New York, 1969

"Riesenflugzueg" (giant aircraft) not only included bombers, but transport, flying boats, and liason aircraft during the First World War. The well-known Stakken bombers were only one set of numerous giant types developed by the German air industry during the war. This book (actually the second edition) by Haddow & Grosz (well-known authorities on this period and authors of countless Windsock Datafiles), compiled this collection when many surviving veterans were still with us and opened their personal archives and albums. Within 300 pages, numerous b/w period photos some service machines and prototypes alike, including many "post mortum" poses after a first test flight. More interesting, are the many schematic three-views depicting many bewildering and ungainly proposed R-Planes...sort of an "air war '19" theme.

This book is long out of print. I found my copy at a used book shop for a small premium. It should be readily availble through the usual online used book sellers.

The Fighting Triplanes
Evan Hadingham, Macmillan Company, New York, 1968

    Seeing photos of WWI era triplanes in flight always remind me Venetian-style blinds,yet there is still something very purposeful about there appearance, especially when there is a set of Vickers or Spandau guns affixed to the front end of these planes. This title, from the late 1960s, reminds one of the Harleyford publications and offers a nice overview of known triplanes from the Great War era. Apart from the well-known Sopwith and Fokker machines, we're provided with coverage of some of teh more garish and downright hideous types, such as the American Barling Bomber. Numerous, clear period photos are included throughout. The neatest part of this book was that it included a clipping from The Louisville (KY, USA) Times from 1966 describing a local enthusiasts efforts to build a Sopwith Triplane replica, along with an article detailing an up and coming California politician named Ronald Reagan...how knew!?!?

     This book is long OOP, but is quite nice and can still be located through the usual second-hand book dealers; WWI enthusiasts would appreciate the content and quality of photos.

The X-Planes of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy
Shigeru Nohara, Green Arrow, Japan, 2001

    Shigeru Nohara is very well-known among JAAF/JNAF enthusiasts for his decades long contribution. This hefty tomes lands in with 300 pages describing possibly every known experimental Japanese type to be conceived, both actual prototype machines and paper projects. Numerous line drawings provide general plan arrangements and details of the likes of the Kawasaki Ki-60, Mitsubishi Q2M, Tachikawa Ki-70 and many, many others make this an inspiring title. No color images, but a wealth of photos are present throughout. Aprt from a few Fine Molds plastic models, it seems that many of these planes have been kitted in resin at some point too.

    This title has gone OOP; I have occasionally seen it on eBay.