Focke Wulf Jet Fighters
AUTHOR: Justo Miranda
YEAR: 2018
PUBLISHER: Fonthill Media Ltd
ISBN: 978-1-78155-664-1
FOR M AT: 252 pp Hardback; also available in digital
formatO
ne may be
forgiven
for
thinking that this
is a “Luftwafe
1946” b o o k ,
with alternative
history featuring
operational
aircraft, some
of which never
left the back of
the proverbial
cigarette packet,
let alone the
drawing board. And it is true that the dust
jacket features some speculative colour
proiles, including one in Cold-War-era Belgian
markings. But in fact the book will have a much
wider appeal, as it is a very interesting analysis
of a number of early jet designs conceived by
Focke Wulf, and later by Kurt Tank in Argentina.
A short introduction sets the scene and
includes a very interesting discussion of some
problems facing early jet aircraft designers.
The main body of the book is a series of
short chapters, one devoted to each design
or project. We start with a piston-engined
project, the Fw 190 A-10 Hohenjager (high
altitude ighter); the author then takes us
through all the proposed developments ending
with the Argentinian Tank IAE 43 of 1954,
and its Indian development, the HAL Marut.
Where appropriate, other developments by,
for example, Messerschmitt, are discussed for
comparison. There is also a chapter on how the
research for these designs was used post-war
by RAE in its Transonic project, and inally
one entitled “Russian Fakes”, which shows
how the German research helped the post-war
Soviet aviation industry to go from a position of
technical inferiority to producing the MiG 15.
Each chapter is supported by general
arrangement drawings depicting the
projects involved, and often showing
other comparable projects such as the Me
262 with fuselage side-mounted jets.
Finally, there is a comprehensive
bibliography and though an index is listed
in the contents it does not appear to be
present! Which given the quality of the
rest of the book is a puzzling lapse.
The author is an aviation historian
specialising in German secret weaponry,
and in this volume he presents a fascinating
look at the development of early turbojet
and jet aircraft technology. It will naturally
appeal to “Luft 46” fans, and it also deserves
a place on the shelf of anyone with an
interest in aviation. Recommended.
Thanks to Fonthill Media
Ltd for the review copy.
MJCBlackburn/BAE Buccaneer:
Owners’ Workshop Manual
AUTHOR: Keith Wilson
YEAR: 2018
PUBLISHER: Haynes Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78521-116-4
FOR M AT: 188 pp HardbackS
ince the irst Haynes Manual (for the
Austin Healey Sprite) was published in
1966, the brand has become an icon,
expanding far beyond the original concept of
aiding home car mechanics, and becoming
a respected reference source on many
subjects, including aircraft. This current
volume is one of the latest, and covers the
“Last all-British Bomber”, the Buccaneer.
The book starts with an introduction,
and the next two chapters take the reader
through the history, development and
a detailed technical description of the
aircraft. The next three chapters deal with
the type’s service with the Royal Navy,
South African Air Force, and the Royal Air
Force, after which the next chapter covers
its deployment in the Gulf War. Then we
have the aircrew experience – from both the
front and the back seat – and some ground
crew technicians’ perspectives. Finally,
there is a chapter on currently-surviving
Buccaneers; some appendices, which include
a batch-by-batch production breakdown,
a list of extant Buccaneers, and abibliography; and an index.
As usual with these books, the text
is illustrated with a wide selection of
photographs, many of which will provide
useful detail reference for modellers
If you have any of the extant kits of this
aeroplane, are hopefully wishing for one
in your favourite scale, or simply have an
interest in post-war jets, this is an essential
one-stop reference to have on your shelf.
Thanks to Haynes Publishing
for the review copy.
The day I wrote this review, it was
announced that the founder of the
Haynes Manuals marque and the Haynes
Motor Museum, John H Haynes OBE,
passed away on 8th February 2019.
Our condolences to his family. These
books will remain a itting tribute.
MJCThud Pilot
A Pilot’s Account of Early F-105 Combat in VietnamAUTHOR: Victor Vizcarra
YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: Fonthill Media Ltd
ISBN: 978-1-78155-645-0
FOR M AT: 160 pp Paperback; also available in digital
formatT
he F-105 Thunderchief, or
“Thud”, bore the brunt of early
combat missions in Vietnam. The
author was one of the pilots who was
involved from the start of the conlict,
and this is his account of those times.
The author is, in fact, not just any Thud
pilot. Many modellers, particularly those
with a USAF interest, will recall the “adult”
nose art around the refuelling receptacle
on a particular F-105: the author was the
aircraft’s regular pilot and was the artist.
In fact, there were two diferent aircraft
at diferent times: the irst, in the silver
colour scheme; and the second, the better-
known camoulaged example. The book
reveals the entire story, from where the
idea came from to what happened to both
“Pussy Galore” and “Pussy Galore II”.
The book reveals a whole lot more too.
It is a very readable account of the author’s
tours in Vietnam, and other duties such
as sitting nuclear alert – after all, thatwas what the
“Thud” was
originally
designed for.
The reader
gets a real
lavour – as
much as one can
without actually
experiencing
it – of life at the “sharp end”. What was it
like to ly a “road cut” in Route Pack 1? Or to
be winched from the jungle after ejection,
and ind you’ve been rescued by the Navy?
What was life like for the families, who
were living on base in Japan? The book
tells it all, and gives a real lavour of life
on a squadron in that war at that time.
The text is supported by a selection of
photographs, some of which will provide
useful modelling detail, and all of which
should provide inspiration: in fact, I’m
starting to wonder if I can still get hold
of a Monogram kit. There is also an
appendix with various F-105 statistics.
In summary, an interesting account, of
interest to modellers and historians alike.
Thanks to Fonthill Media
Ltd for the review copy.
MJCSCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL • APRIL 2019BOOKS & MEDIA
79