Albatros Publications Ltd.

Windsock International Magazine Vol 22 #5, Sep/Oct 2006

Reviewed By  Clarence Wentzel, IPMS# 11478

MSRP: £6.65 GBP This bi-monthly magazine is a must for modelers (and aviation enthusiasts) interested in World War One aircraft. The magazine is published by Albatros Productions Ltd. in the UK. It is not widely available in the US but is worth the extra effort to obtain the publication by mail. Albatros Productions Ltd. are also the publishers of Windsock Datafiles and Specials. The publishers seem to be intent on making a great magazine even better. This latest issue includes major articles on the Handley Page V/1500 of the RAF and the Lohner Type X of the Austro-Hungarian KuK Kriegsmarine. These two articles include color two-view drawings, the usual exceptional three view line drawings and a number of interesting, detailed photos along with the informative narration. The Handley Page article is a mini-Datafile on it's own. The magazine also provides two build articles, an excellent one on the Pancerka 1/72 scale resin kit of the Hansa Brandenburg NW Floatplane No. 6 and the Hippo 1/72 scale resin kit of the German Drachen type kite balloon. The remainder of the magazine contains reviews of recent book, kit, part and decal releases that would be of interest to the reader plus a number of columns commenting on readers' models, research into period marking, etc. One particularly depressing news item was the comment that Americal/Gryphon Decals have ceased production. Windsock International magazine can be obtained from selected outlets worldwide for £6.65 or directly from the publisher for £8.00 including postage and packing. Subscriptions are offered for both the magazine and for the regularly published Datafiles. Significant savings will result from a combined subscription. Full details can be obtained at their website (www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk). The web site provides summaries of recent issues of the magazine, a full listing of all Datafiles available as well as the various specials that they have published. I would have preferred a listing of their worldwide sales agents but this may not exist. Their web site does provide a means of purchasing their products on-line. I did note an ad in the magazine from Wise Owl, who still carry the Windsock publications. I have been a subscriber to this magazine in the past and have let my subscription lapse for various reasons. This current issue demonstrates that the publishers have been busy improving an already great magazine. I expect to re-subscribe to both the magazine and to Datafiles. This magazine is well recommended to all modelers or aviation enthusiasts interested in World War One aircraft. A big thanks to Albatros Productions for kindly providing this sample for review.

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