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Flight Recorder Publications |
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The Warlords Volume 1 by Barry and Ann Money |
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Reviewed By Walt Fink, #2447 |
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MSRP: ISBN 0 9545605 1 5 This work from Flight Recorder Publications is a compilation of 504 1/72 scale color profile drawings depicting aircraft markings for three Fighter Groups of the Eighth Air Force during WW2 --- the 4th FG, the 20th FG, and the 55th FG. Several pages of black-and-white photographs are also included as well as illustrated specifications showing standard markings and dimensions for ID bands and invasion stripes. An index at the end of the book is cross-referenced by squadron, aircraft code letter, serial number, pilot, and page on which the individual aircraft profile may be found. The author states right up front that his work is "aimed unashamedly straight at fellow model-makers and also, possibly, at those manufacturing decals." Money's succeeded in his first goal --- I found this book right up my alley, as I'm a big markings buff --- and I was very gratified to see the inclusion of so many aircraft NOT flown by aces, which opens up a lot of possibilities for new modeling subjects. As to the author's second stated goal of getting this information into the hands of the decal folks, I'm not certain such companies would produce decal sheets relying on information taken strictly from artist's drawings, no matter how accurate they might be. Money acknowledges this, too, as another sentence in the introduction states, "The aircraft drawings are not presented as definitive scale drawings; they are simply the canvas on which to place the aircraft's unique artwork and colours. Great care has been taken with style and placement of artwork." Nonetheless, it's a start and I wish him well in this future endeavor --- I for one hope he finds success in that part of his venture, and since his drawings came from photographs, there may be communication between him and the decal producers. I can always hope. There are very few errors in this work, and they're just typos.... some of the color profiles mis-numbered. No information seems to have been omitted, and my hat's really off to the authors. This represents a tremendous amount of work on their parts. How the book will work for its stated goal of being aimed at modelers will depend largely on how much of a nitpicker the individual is. Markings are shown as close as possible to what the authors feel is correct --- and I for one don't think interpreting colors is a big deal but... well, we've all heard some of the discussions as to what color's correct on what aircraft. Colors used in the profile drawings are representative and are noted as "yellow squadron markings", "red canopy rail" and such, so then it's up to the modeler to determine what he or she feels is the correct shade of yellow or red. The standard ETO camouflage "OD and NG scheme" is noted in the glossary to be OD 41 and NG 43, by the way, which should settle a lot of questions, but you know how the rivet counters like to debate these. If you're looking for absolutely precise drawings, you may find Money's 1/72 scale computer-generated side views less than perfect, but I feel he's succeeded in presenting his information in concise form, as completely as the work would allow. My personal friend, the late Art Thorsen, flew P-38s and P-51s with the 38th FS, 55th FG, and his Mustang, "Six Gun Pete", is shown in color profile #405, the first time I've seen it in print. It was, I believe, in this aircraft that Art broke up a German attack on the bombers he was escorting and received a commendation. As Art told me the story, he said it was just he and his wingman returning home after being separated from the rest of the squadron in a confusing furball near the target. They found themselves escorting a small flight of B-17's when suddenly "the entire damned Luftwaffe" (Art's words) appeared above them and commenced diving to the attack. Art's immediate reaction was "Let's get the hell outta here" since they were so frightfully outnumbered. His momentary hesitation caused his wingman to radio, "Hey, aren't we gonna fight?" Art radioed back, "Follow me." Pushing throttle and prop to the firewall, he stood his Mustang on its tail, and turned into a direct head-on attack at this huge gaggle of diving Me-109s. He said every gun on every Messerschmitt was winking, so he "ducked down behind the panel for cover" and pulled the trigger on his six fifty-calibers. It was over in a split-second. Apparently the Germans were "either low on gas or a new class of recruits" (Art's words) as they kept right on diving past the fighters and B-17s as well. His wingman was unfortunately lost in the encounter but later Art was recognized by one of the bomber crews as "that crazy fighter pilot who took on half the Luftwaffe and broke up the attack", allowing them to get back to their base. That little war story having been related, let me say I heartily recommend this book. The squadron histories and photographs balance out the work very nicely and I sincerely hope the "Volume 1" subtitle is just a hint of more to come from this prolific author. My thanks to Flight Recorder Publications and to John Noack for the review sample. |
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