This is the first of a series of books that will be produced by this company.  This book contains 61 pages in the standard 8.5" x 11" format.  The book contains seven (7) chapters and walks you from the concept through the delays due to reevaluation of priorities, development, design, as well as the many variants of the Ju-188.  In addition there is a chapter describing the genealogy of the aircraft, followed by one describing the armament.  The last chapter is dedicated to the models of this particular variant.  The book contains approximately 80 pictures including actual pictures of the aircraft, as well as it components, personalities involved with its development, drawings and sketches of the air screw (propeller), power plant, wing assembly dolly and cross section of the aircraft. 

The Ju-188 was developed from the Ju-88 and was considered an interim aircraft until the Ju-288 could be available for operational use.  The Ju-188 was created in a very short period of time.  The manufacturers paid close attention to the feed back of the front line personnel such as pilots, crews and maintenance  individuals.  In addition, the latest technology in armament and aircraft production was used on its development and construction.  Among the improvements found in this aircraft is the smooth contained crew compartment which improved visibility.  More powerful power plants, bigger wings and the reduction of overall weight of the aircraft without strength.  Also, all the variants developed from this aircraft were benefited with new equipment and weapons.  The aircraft was produced to the very end of the war and there was a total of 1,232 machines built.

The first chapter is dedicated to the many delays and reevaluations this particular aircraft went prior to its acceptance.  The main trust of the German War Machine was to produce the best possible aircraft with the necessary alterations, and improvements could be produced efficiently without incurring a major loss of time and resources.  The following chapter is dedicated to the many modifications the machine received prior to manufacturing.  There were modifications to the wings’ empennage, engine power plant and the installation of a pressurized cabin.  From “Front Line” experience came the idea of better structural safety and integrity and additionally studies were made to reduce weight.  The combination of wind tunnel and “flying test beds” tests made it possible to improve the aircraft to the very end of the war.

The third chapter shows how through “innovation based on experience and knowledge” this aircraft was manufactured.  The chapter shows us the breakdown of the aircraft with all its components.  This is done by giving us; a: 1) Technical Overview; 2) Fuselage Assembly; 3) Power Plant; 4)Equipment; 5) Safety Installation; 6) Weapons Stations; 7) Weapons; 8) External Surface Protection and 9) Maintenance Aids.  We find toward the end of the chapter, on page 31, a beautiful cross section of the rear gunner position.  This cross section is a modeler’s dream.

Chapter Four is dedicated of the operational use of the aircraft by the German Air Force.  It starts with the defeat of the British Expeditionary Forces (BEF) at Dunkirk, through the Battle of Britain and the African Front, as well as the Eastern Front.  The chapter end with the production of “Mistel” aircraft and the final defeat of the Third Reich.  In chapter five the author introduces us to the genealogy of the Ju-188.  This particular aircraft had 14series with a total of 26 variants.  The series run from “A” through “T”.  The variants are as follows: a) Level Bomber (9); b) Dive Bombers (4); c) Long Range Reconnaissance (7); d) Night Fighters (1); e) Zerstorer (1); f)High Altitude Reconnaissance (2); g) Night Fighter (1) and h) Fast Bomber (1).

The last chapter is dedicated to the armament of the aircraft, as well as a series of good photos and one color plate, a camouflage pattern done in black and white and several profiles showing the location of  several of the armaments used in this machine.

At the end of the book there is a small section dealing with the models for this aircraft.  We are told that two models/kits of this aircraft are available at this time.  The problem building these kits comes with the fact that they may be considered to be built by only the very experience modeler.  Alas, he does not  tell us if the models are available at this time nor their scale.  Also, we are told that no actual aircraft survived the war except for one aircraft found by the US Forces in 1945, flown to the US and at the present kept by the Air and Space Museum at their storage facility in Silver Spring, MD.  The author, also states that there is a 1/25 scale model that was completed in 1943 and it is accurate to the "finest detail".  This is one of two models that is know were made at that time, the location and/or final location is unknown.

I found the book interesting and very informative and will recommended to anyone that is interested in learning more about not only this particular machine.  I would like to thank Midland and Ian Allan Publishing for the opportunity of reviewing this book.