The Experimental Units of
Hitler’s Condor Legion
German Aircraft in Action During the Spanish Civil WarAUTHORS: RAFAEL A PERMUY LOPEZ &
LUCAS MOLINA FRANCO
YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: FRONTLINE BOOKS
ISBN: 978-1-47387-891-4
FOR M AT: 93PP PAPERBACKT
his is a translation by Steve
Turpin White of the original
Spanish language work, published
in 2013 by Galland Editorial Books. In
just over 90 pages it tells the story of
the experimental units of the Condor
Legion, VersuchsJagdGruppe 88 (VJ/88)
and VersuchsBomberStaffel 88 (VB/88),
and the aircraft they operated. These
units were responsible for testing the
new monoplane fighters – Bf 109 and He
112 – and bombers – He 111, Do 17 and
Ju 86 – then entering service with the
fledgling Luftwaffe. They were eventually
disbanded, having met their objectives,
with VJ/88’s aircraft becoming part of
2./J88 and VB/88 becoming 4./K88
The text is concise and reads well.
Laid out in two main sections, one each
for the two units, it is supported by several
tables detailing the various sorties carried
out, including non-operational ones. But
the major part of the book consists of a
wide selection of period photographs.
Naturally the majority of these feature
the experimental types, but there are also
shots of aircraft like bomber Ju 52s, anda Hs 123 to name but two. Some of these
photographs feature close-up detail likely
to be of use to the modeller, such as a
close-up of a Ju 86 nose turret. There are
also a number of colour side-view profiles.
So, if you’ve still got that Roden early
He 111 in you stash, or perhaps the old
Airfix Do 17P, Italeri Ju 86, or an early
Bf 109, this book will provide plenty of
inspiration. If not, it will still be worth
purchasing for anyone with an interest
in the SCW and/or the Luftwaffe.
Thanks to Frontline Books
for the review copy.
MJCPolish Wings 22
Bristol F.2b Fighter, RAF SE5a, Sopwith F.1
Camel, Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin, Martinsyde
F. 4 BuzzardAUTHOR: TOMASZ J KOPAŃSKI
YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: STRATUS/MMP
ISBN: 978-83-65281-49-4
FOR M AT: 80PP SOFTBACKT
his is the latest in the Polish Wings
series and it covers a selection of
some of my favourite aircraft, so I
may be slightly biased when I say I rather
enjoyed this one! The book opens with
a short background on the formation of
the Polish Air Force and the convoluted
acquisition of aircraft from the UK, 120 in
total. The next section takes a look at the
development of camouflage and markings
in the Polish Air Force. Pages 18 to 63 cover
the c105 Bristol F.2B Fighters acquired from
Handley Page. This section is superbly
illustrated with numerous contemporary
black and white images of the F.2B in
Polish service, many of which have never
been published before. The section also
has 24 colour profiles some of which are
complimented with plan views too.
Although 10 Sopwith Dolphins were
delivered to Poland they were not well
received by the pilots, partly due to the
unconventional wing layout with its back
stagger and the risk to pilots if the aircraft
over turned on landing. By 1922 all of
the Dolphins had been struck off charge.
This section only has one photo and no
profiles as it would seem the type was
not popular with photographers either!A single Martinsyde Buzzard was
delivered which ended up with a striking
scheme of red and white stripes, which
are illustrated with contemporary
photos and a colour profile.
One Sopwith Camel ended in Polish
service, this airframe went to Poland with
its American owner who volunteered to fight
against the Bolsheviks. In May of 1921 the
Polish government purchased the aircraft,
only for it to be written off in a crash in the
August of the same year. This aircraft is
illustrated with both profiles plus plan views.
The final section looks at the SE5a’s
which saw use in Poland, only one of
which was ‘sort of owned’ by the Polish
Air Force. Two of the Savage Skywriting
SE5a’s visited Poland in 1926 and it is
illustrations of these which end the book.
All in all, a fascinating read with plenty of
reference material and the really great thing
is that Model Maker Decals have produced
a decal sheet to compliment the book!
My thanks to Stratus/MMP for
supplying this latest book in this series
for review, highly recommended if you
have an interest in Polish aviation!
TMU-SA Goldstar Century
31 Squadron RAF 1915-2015AUTHOR: IAN HALL
YEAR: 2015
PUBLISHER: PEN & SWORD BOOKS LTD
ISBN: 978-1-78340-058-4
FOR M AT: 348PP HARDBACKT
here have been many RAF squadron
histories published over the years,
and more than one history of 31
Squadron. But this must rank as one of the
most comprehensive and readable of all.
In all fairness, it would be difficult to
write a dull history of this interesting unit.
The motto, “In Caelum Indicum Primus”
(First in Indian Skies), along with the “Star
of India” on the official badge, reflects the
fact that immediately after forming in 1915,
the squadron was sent to the North-West
Frontier, and since that time has spent very
little time in the UK. Initially an Army
Co-operation unit flying the BE.2c, it later
transitioned to the Bristol F.2B, and then the
Westland Wapiti. Switching roles in 1937,
it became a Bomber-Transport squadron,initially with the
Vickers Valentia, then
the DC-2 and eventually
the C-47 Dakota. With
these it operated in
Burma, the Netherlands
East Indies, and
back to India,
before a very brief
disbandment. Revived
when the “number
plate” was given to
the Metropolitan
Communications Squadron, it flew a variety
of communications types, before changing
roles again and moving to Germany, where
it would spend the Cold War flying, in
succession, the Canberra PR7, Phantom
FGR2, Jaguar and Tornado GR 1/4, which
it still flies to this day. In a way, the
squadron has come full circle, because
operations in recent years saw it back in its
old haunts, the skies over Afghanistan.
So, an interesting story, made all the
more interesting by the writing itself. Theprologue engages the
reader’s interest from
the start, and has an
unusual twist which
leaves you unable to put
the book down. The
main text is a mixture of
the author’s own words,
liberally supplemented
with recollections from
squadron members. It
is clearly a labour of
love for the author, who
is himself a former
Commanding Officer.
He deals every aspect of
the squadron, not only
the operations and changes of base, but the
many aspects often not considered. These
include the logistics; the families; the former
members (the squadron has some thriving
and supportive ex-members’ association);
and many more. There are many poignant
moments, particularly some of those
recalling events in the war in Burma, but also
many in a lighter vein: the recollection from
the “erk” who ran up an Air Vice Marshal’s
Spitfire while a station AOC’s parade was in
full swing, and the consequences for bothhim and the SWO, was particularly amusing.
The main text (divided, of course, into
31 chapters) is liberally illustrated with
photographs, drawings and maps, and
after that comes a number of appendices.
The first is a list of former COs, including
one Sqn Ldr A T Harris AFC, later to
become ACM Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris,
followed by locations. Appendix C will be
of interest to many modellers, as its lists
every type of aircraft flown, along with
a list of serial numbers for each type.
Sadly, not all types are available as
model kits, but many are, and two spring to
mind immediately as having suitable decals
in the kit. One is ACM Sir James Robb’s
Spitfire XVI, SL721, which was nominally
on the unit strength, and is in at least one
boxing of the Eduard kit; and the Revell
1:32 Tornado GR1 includes markings for
the colourful 75th anniversary aircraft.
Completing the appendices is a glossary,
and there is also a bibliography and index.
This is one of the most engaging
books this reviewer has read in a long
time. Very highly recommended.
Thanks to Pen & Sword Books
Ltd for the review copy.
MJC94 • NOVEMBER 2017 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
BOOKS & MEDIA
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