Albatros Productions, Ltd.

Windsock Datafile No.129 Albatros C.XII, Volume 2

by  P. M. Grosz & T. H. Phillips

Reviewed By  Dick Montgomery, IPMS# 14003

MSRP: £10.75 (UK) $20 US Albatros Productions Ltd (www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk Many thanks to Albatros Productions for supplying this fine product to IPMS for review. Modelers who fancy WWI aviation subjects are already, no doubt, familiar with Albatros Productions' fine series of publications entitled, "Windsock Datafile". As a whole, this series of publications represents some of the finest research and best reference material available to the historian and to the hobbyist pertaining to WWI subjects. Datafile No. 129 continues in that fine tradition. No.l29 is actually Volume 2 of 2, covering the Albatros C.XII and is written by P.M. Grosz and T.H. Phillips. Written in British English, this 37 page publication contains dozens of b&w photographs and is supported with 9 pages of exquisitely rendered 3-view drawings by Martin Digmayer. The drawings are in 1/72nd scale and also in 1/48th scale. The amount of detail that these drawings provide is one of the best features of this publication. The photographs are also quite superb. Many are of such clarity that one can see the wood grain in the panels making up the fuselage of the aircraft. Many of the photographs are close-up detail shots of the engine and forward fuselage area, the tail assembly, and propeller and spinner. Of particular use are the images that show the rigging with even the turnbuckles clearly visible. The text is easy to read and provides one with a very thorough history of the C.XII and the modifications that accompanied the maturing process of the aircraft. Finally, one of the most visually appealing aspects of this publication is the cover art. The beautifully rendered C.XII, flying into a golden sun on the cover was painted by Russell Smith. The back cover features 3 side views of a C.XII, all in natural wood finish, and was painted by Juanita Franzi. The modeler will find this product very useful when constructing any WWI aircraft. Reviewing the appearance of the turnbuckles on the rigging, the wood grain on the fuselage, and the lamination of the prop will pay dividends regardless of what aircraft model one might be building. This publication is highly recommended for the historical data contained in the text, the clear and detailed photographs, and the extremely useful line drawings and artwork.

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