B-29 Superfortress
vs Ki-44 “Tojo”
Pacific Theatre 1944-45AUTHOR: Donald Nijober
YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-1886-7
FOR M AT: 80 pp Paperback; also available
as e-BookA
not her publication in the
Osprey Duel series, this book
examines the main protagonists
in the strategic bombing campaign
against Japan. Along the way, it reveals
some aspects rarely considered how,
apparently, the Japanese had gathered
and analysed intelligence on the B-29
before it appeared – even concluding
that it would be pressurised for
high-altitude operation but despite
a remarkably accurate assessment,
did not provide as effective a home
defence organisation as they might
have. Or the troubled genesis of the
B-29, which employed a lot of new
technology for the time, and at first was
prone to such things as uncontrollable
engine fires, sudden explosive
decompression, or a runaway gun turret.
The book follows the standard format
for this series. After an introduction and achronology detailing key events, each
type is examined in detail in the context
of the historical background in the first
two chapters: Design and Development
and Technical Specifications. Next comes
The Strategic Situation, after which The
Combatants looks primarily at USAAF
gunnery and JAAF pilot training. Combat
then looks at the tactics employed by both
sides and covers the principal events of the
bombing campaign. The book is concluded
by chapters entitled Statistics and
Analysis and Aftermath, a bibliography,
and an index. The text is illustrated
throughout by photographs and other
illustrations in Osprey’s usual style.
This proved a very interesting read
for your reviewer, from which he learned
a lot. Recommended, particularly for
those with an interest in the Pacific War
or aircraft technical development.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing
Ltd for the review copy.
MJCAirlines at War
British Civil Aviation 1939-1944: An Official HistoryYEAR: 2018
PUBLISHER: Air World Books
ISBN: 978-1-47389-409-9
FOR M AT: 197 pp HardbackY
ou might be forgiven for
thinking that this title is a
bit odd? There is no author
credited; and it is a history that stops
a year before you would expect it to.
The explanation is simple: this book
is the official history which was first
published by HMSO in 1946 as Merchant
Airmen: The Air Ministry Account
of British Civil Aviation, 1939-1944.
According to the front piece there are
some additions and updates, but (apart
from some typos here and there) these
are indistinguishable from the original
to someone who has not read both.
Many who model World War II aircraft
are probably familiar with pictures of
Mosquitos with civil registrations on
the “ball-bearing” route to Sweden, but,
as the book reveals, the merchant air
service did so much more than that, such
as regular passenger and mail services
throughout the British Empire and across
the Atlantic. Readers accustomed to flying
to New York from Heathrow in seven or
so hours will be surprised at the flighttimes quoted
for the latter,
and others may
be interested
to see which
VIP passenger
who was a
trained pilot, took control of a Boeing 314
whilst on a passenger carrying flight!
There is even a photo of him doing so,
something that would never happen today.
The text is in the style of official
publications of the time, so may seem
strange, quaint, or formal to the modern
reader, but accept that and you will find
that this is a very interesting read. Of
equal interest are the illustrations: there is
a comprehensive selection of photographs
and other illustrations such as route maps
which complement the text perfectly.
This book fills a gap in the literature
of British aviation during the Second
World War; it is of value not just for the
information contained, but as an example
of an official publication of the immediate
post-war era. It is certainly worth its
place on the bookshelf of anyone with
an interest in World War II aviation.
Thanks to Pen & Sword Books
Ltd for the review copy.
MJCUSMC Phantoms
The RF-4B Phantom II in the Tactical
Reconnaissance Role 1965-1990AUTHORS: Lee R De Haven & Richard
Rentrop
PUBLISHER: Double Ugly! Books
ISBN: 978-3-935687-86-7
FOR M AT: 208pp HardbackN
umber 6 in The Ultimate
F-4 Phantom II Collection,
this volume covers
the RF-4B in USMC service.
The first chapter is billed as an
introduction, describes the technical
development of the F-4’s Naval
reconnaissance variant. The next three
chapters cover the histories of the three
US Marine Corps squadrons which flew
the aircraft from its introduction until- These units were then consolidated
into one squadron, VMFP-3, and
naturally the next chapter continues
with the history of this unit until the
retirement of the type. Each unit history
is comprehensively described and
lavishly illustrated with photographs
and side colour profiles. Appendix 1,
VMFP-3 Camouflage and Markings,
describes the evolution of the aircraft’s
paint schemes and markings within that
unit and contains a further selection
of photographs of both standard and
special
schemes, such
as the 1976
“Bicentennial”
example. Two “tactical grey”
schemes from the early 1980s are also
illustrated using four-view profiles.
Further appendices cover the
salvage and creation of the aircraft
displayed at the National Museum of
Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida,
USA; illustrations of “patches”
and insignia; individual aircraft
histories; and a list of acronyms.
This is something of a specialised
book, covering just one variant of the
Phantom, which served with only one
air arm and was built in relatively
small numbers. But it is certainly
of great interest, as it provides a
very comprehensive treatment of
its subject. It is not cheap, but if
you are interested in the Phantom,
this book is well worth investing in,
particularly if you are contemplating
a model of a Photo Phantom.
Thanks to Double Ugly! Books
for supplying the review copy.
MJCWestland Wessex
1958 onwards (all models)
Owners’ Workshop Manual
An insight into the design. Construction,
operation and maintenance of an anti-
submarine, trooping, SAR and VVIP helicopterAUTHOR: Lee Howard
YEAR: 2018
PUBLISHER: Haynes Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78521-117-1
FOR M AT: 188pp HardbackT
his latest manual from
Haynes, has to be one of
the best yet. This book
is worth it for the photographic
coverage alone, which is superb.
The Wessex is covered in detail
from the prototype through to its
retirement in 2003. The book not
only covers the types many military
roles but its extensive civil use
too, especially the work of Bristow
Helicopters in the North Sea oil
fields. The book also covers some of
the overseas users of the Wessex.
The second half of the book covers
the Wessex in the most wonderful
detail, with photographs showing all
aspects of the airframe. This section is
supplemented with extracts from thetechnical manual for the Wessex
giving that little bit of extra detail!
The last chapters cover flying
and maintaining the Wessex before
the book is rounded off with stories
from pilots who flew the type and,
in some cases, survived accidents,
whilst flying the Wessex.
This book is a real modellers book,
if you have any of the available kits of
the type from 1/144 scale to 1/32 scale,
you need this book on your model
making bench. The photographic
coverage is to a very high standard and
when coupled with the informative
and accessible text means that this
book comes highly recommended.
My thanks to Haynes Publishing
for supplying this book for
review, now I can feel a 1/32 scale
Fly Models Wessex calling!
TMU-S78 • AUGUST 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
BOOKS & MEDIA
078-79-Books-0818.indd 78 12/07/2018 11:47