Dutch Profile

Brewster B-339C/D/-23. History, Camouflage and Markings

by  Gerard Casius and Luuk Boerman

Reviewed By  Brian Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: 15 Euros Review sample provided by Kits at War: www.kitsatwar.nl Dutch Profile Publications Website: www.dutchprofile.nl This bilingual 48 page paperback is a Dutch publication, and is "the complete story of the Dutch Brewster B-339 in service with the RNEIAAF, USAAF, and RAAF", according to the accompanying information sheet. It also lists a set of 1/72 and 1/48 scale decals for most of these aircraft, but the decals are not included in the book. [Read a review of the decal sheet on this website.] No price for the decal sheets is given either in the text or on the website. However, if you want to do very many of these in either scale, the decal sheet appears to be necessary. Dutch Profiles has already published a series of profiles of such aircraft as the Lockheed 12/212 series, p-51, Sea Fury, Spitfire, Fokker D.XXI, Corsair, Fokker T.V and TBM Avenger, all in Dutch service. The text covers the design and development of the Brewster 339, some issues the U.S. Navy had with the Brewster organization, the problems associated with Dutch acquisition of the type during the period just before the outbreak of war in the Pacific, and some of the difficulties getting the aircraft to the islands and achieving operational status. Good comparisons are made between the Dutch versions and the variants operated by the RAAF at Singapore. The authors then go on to give a complete description of the operational use of the Brewsters in the islands, culminating in the surrender in March, 1942. The book contains 72 black and white photos, plus a factory or Navy cover photo in color of one of the 339's while on a test flight. In addition, the book is profusely illustrated with 11 pages of excellently done color profiles and plan view drawings showing the aircraft in virtually every color scheme used by these aircraft. Included, for some reason, is a black and white profile drawings of one of the Ex-RAF Hurricanes operated by the Dutch during the campaign. I was not aware that any photos of these aircraft survived, so I wonder about the source in this case. However, there is a wealth of information on these aircraft, more than I have seen from any other source.

Although this book is worth getting if you have any interest in Dutch Brewsters, there are some problems that make this work a little difficult to get through. First, although the text is bilingual, the first part is in Dutch, followed by the second half, which is in English. This means that the photos and drawings do not necessarily follow in sequence, and appear to be scattered throughout the text in no apparent order. At least the captions are done in both languages. It would have probably made more sense to use the usual method of one column in Dutch, and the other in English. The drawings have the same problems, and jump back and forth between subjects. In addition, there is little discussion about the basic variants involved here, the 339C and 339D, plus one new to me, the 339-23, and how they differed. You are left to examine the drawings for this information. At the end of the book is a listing of each aircraft operated by the RNEIAAF and the RAAF, with the few that were acquired by the USAAF in Australia. Another problem is that although the account of Dutch service is extremely detailed, there is no real description of the service use of the aircraft by the RAAF or USAAF, except for the above mentioned individual aircraft histories, which are unfortunately provided only in Dutch. There is some information given in the photo and drawing captions, but I would have expected more information on when and where these aircraft were operated, and in what role. Toward the end, there is a short section of models available, but no real commentary as to which kit is more accurate (the Hasagawa wins hands down here) or even which aircraft is depicted by each kit. The Brewster 339 has, except for Hasegawa, been somewhat neglected by 1/72 scale kit manufacturers until relatively recently, and most modelers are not aware of the differences in the variants, which are mainly confined to the nose and cowling section of the aircraft. Notwithstanding the above mentioned flaws, this is an excellent publication, and is certainly highly recommended. Thanks to IPMS/USA, Kits at War and Dutch Profile Publications for the review copy.

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