F-4J PHANTOM II MARINES
Model: 1/48 scale
Price: £54.Japanese model manufacturer Zoukei-
Mura has released a McDonnell Douglas
F-4J Phantom II kit. Most parts for its US
Marine Corps product (SWS 1/48 No.08) are
unchanged from the US Navy offerings, with
the addition of weapons runners from the F-4S
(offering access ladders and later versions
of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow).
As modellers have come to expect from
Zoukei-Mura, the detail is stunning, from the
nely engraved panel lines and rivets, to theexcellent cockpit interior and inclusion of raised
rails on the AIM-9 launchers (the rst since
Monogram to do this). There are 12 styrene
runners, with one supplying alternative crystal-
clear single- and four-piece canopies. Options
abound, with a choice of raised/lowered aps
and ailerons, open/closed air brakes, normal/
extended nose undercarriage and straight/
de ected horizontal stabilisers. The air-to-air
selection is enviable, with sufficient missiles for
two models (plus extras), and provision for upto three drop tanks,
although individual
pylons for other stores ts must be obtained
from aftermarket sources.
This is arguably the best quarter-scale F-4J
available, with the only minor gripes being
the lack of air-to-ground stores for a Marine
Phantom and provision of just a single (albeit
colourful) scheme, for 15582/11/WT, VMFA-
‘Red Devils’, MCAS Iwakuni, 1974-75.
Available from http://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/enOF SONS AND SKIES – FLYING THROUGH WORLD WAR TWO
Book: 320-page softback
Written by: Robert Arley
Price: £11.9 5
The author has extensive experience in the television
industry as a writer, producer and director. While working on
a lm pro ling military veterans of World War Two, he was
shocked to discover just how many Bomber Command aircrew failed to
return. Researching the staggering statistics, he decided to write a book
aimed not at committed aviation enthusiasts but at lay people, to acquaint
them with the demands and sacri ces of those harrowing wartime years.
The book has no illustrations or photos and is laid out as a series of
short essays within chapters, initially setting the scene of the build-up to
war and the rst losses in the early months. There follows chapters on
each year of the war, ending with a peacetime summing up. The text is
sometimes punctuated by contemporary newspaper headlines which are
then analysed.
Fighter and Coastal Commands also feature, along with the USAAF
presence in Britain, plus events in the Paci c and North African theatres
of war. The colloquial style works well and explains the basic facts of a
great many aspects of the air war – some quite obscure.
The enormous dangers of wartime ying in demanding and
sometimes unreliable aircraft against a resolute enemy, often in bad
weather, are emphasised. In the author’s words: “I aim to reach as
many people as possible who know little or nothing about these huge
challenges and tragedies that ultimately brought peace and prosperity to
most of Europe.” His book will certainly enlighten them.
Published by Splash TV: ISBN 9781999894429; available from
http://www.ofsonsandskies.comTHE DEFEAT OF THE ZEPPELINS – ZEPPELIN RAIDS AND
ANTI-AIRSHIP OPERATIONS 1916-
Book: 284-page hardback
Written by: Mick Powis
Price: £Building on a reputation for well-written narrative blended
with technical facts gained through previous book, Zeppelins
Over the Midlands, the author has spread the net to include a highly
detailed chronological list of all Zeppelin raids on Britain. To this are
added attacks in France, the Eastern Front, Balkans and elsewhere.
The initial chapters describe the airships, their armament, crews and
operations in 1914, culminating in the rst raids on Britain the following
year. These were effectively terror raids, with airships wandering over
England in the dark in the hope of hitting something military but usually
causing occasional civilian casualties. Accurate navigation was almost
impossible but a new system of providing radio bearings from Germany
improved the situation, however it also enabled the British to track the
airships. Chapters on the introduction of a basic air defence system and
the development of night- ghters show how the B.E.2c became the main
Zeppelin destroyer and why the Lewis gun with incendiary ammunition
was such a decisive weapon. In 1916, the airships were ranging as far
as northeast England and Scotland, but the most attacked targets were
London and Hull. The offensive continued to the war’s end, ying as high
as 22,000ft to evade ghters.
An appendix lists the numerous airship losses, no less than 75,
including eight shot down over England. This fascinating book is
illustrated by 34 black and white photographs and nine maps.
Published by Pen & Sword Aviation: ISBN 9781526702494; available
from http://www.pen-and-sword.co.ukBELL & ROSS BR 03-92 HOROBLACK AND BR 03-94 HOROLUM
Watches
Prices: BR 03-92 Horoblack – £2,600 (nearest left), BR 03-94 Horolum – £4,30 0Bell & Ross has been making distinctive
watches and chronographs for many years, and
both the Horoblack and Horolum will appeal
to pilots and enthusiasts alike. The ‘Horo’ in
the name refers to the Bell & Ross concept of
using micro-blasted steel with a matte nish
for the case and a ‘sandwich’ dial (essentially
two superimposed metal plates), optimised for
readability. The Horolum (‘lum’ from the latin for
light, lumen) is a limited-edition watch with only
500 made. The green tinted Superluminova C
treatment is ultra-phosphorescent, providingexcellent night readability. The indices and
over-size numbers are very clear, while the
dial features two counters, a small window for
the date and a tachymeter scale on the ange.
The calfskin strap is an attractive grey-green.
The Horoblack is also only available in a
limited edition of 999 and comes with a black
rubber strap. It features a neat, unpretentious
display with a sweep seconds’ hand, bar
indices and over-sized numbers. The strong
contrast of black hands, numbers and indices
on the grey face make it very easy to read.Both watches feature
42mm cases, automatic
mechanical movements and
sapphire crystal faces treated
with an anti-re ective coating.
Featuring a contemporary understated
design, which utilises Bell & Ross’ signature
style of a ‘circle in a square’ which strongly
evocative of a cockpit clock from a 1930s
aeroplane, these handsome timepieces have
a look that is both modern and yet vintage.
Available from http://www.bellross.comXXXXXXXXXThe latest products for the
Flight Bag discerning aviation enthusiast
20 Aviation News incorporating Jets October 2018