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Albatros Productions Ltd. Windsock Datafile 100 Albatros D.I/D.II: By P. M. Grosz Windsock Datafile Special Albatros D.III: By P. M. Grosz Reviewed By Charles Landrum, #26328 |
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#100: 40 pages with 100 B&W Photos, 1/72 and 1/48 drawings and 9 color profiles. Suggested retail price: approx. $18.50 Special: 56 pages with 144 B&W Photos, 1/72 and 1/48 drawings and 18 color profiles. Suggested retail price: approx. $36 These monographs represent a milestone for Albatros Productions. The D.I/D.II is the 100th in a long series of detailed monographs. I believe it combines two earlier monographs and provides updated information, photos and drawings. The D.III is a special edition reissue of their very first monograph, issued 20 years ago, but greatly updated with new research. This is the first opportunity I have had to read through a monograph in the Windsock Datafile series, and I must say I am quite impressed. Each volume is deceivingly slim, but it is well edited and tightly packed with high quality photos and graphics; there is little dead space. The drawings are nearly blueprint quality, dense with details and very helpfully provided in both the scales of 1/72 and 1/48. The color plates are beautiful in rendition and provide a colorful insight into the black and white photos. “Colour Notes” are provided by Greg Van Wyngarden and by his discussion in the text, the colors appear to be well researched. There is also a story unobtrusively woven throughout, with the narrative being well balanced. It left me with an insight into the machines and their service. But to my eye the focus is on the rich black and white photographs. The photos are mesmerizing. At least in these two volumes, the pictures are more often than not portraits of the men and their mounts, conveying not just the details of the aircraft but also the expressions on the faces of the pilots and ground crews. It compelled me know the fate of each. What is missing from these volumes are close-up walk around photos, either contemporary or modern, of the details of the aircraft. But in this case I didn’t miss them, I think that they would distract from the historical images presented. I could not help but notice the rather bold warnings on the drawings that proclaim that reproduction of any kind is prohibited. There is even a more direct statement to kit and decal manufacturers not to use these resources without permission, which by the publisher’s admission is rarely given. At first I was taken aback, but then after some contemplation realized what an affront it must be to have your artwork pirated for the profit. I hope that the warnings are effective. I thoroughly enjoyed my review of both books and cannot come up with a single criticism of the format or quality. I feel that they present a value for the price and highly recommended both monographs. I feel the need to pick up more titles in the series… |
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