Model Art Publications, Color Guide Series

American Fighters Over Europe: Camouflage And Markings of the USAAF Fighters in WWII (ETO/MTO)

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

The Book This is a Japanese publication presenting color and marking details on aircraft operated by the USAAC and USAAF before and during World War II. It consists of 106 pages or excellent color and black and white drawings, period photos…and Japanese text. Although the title indicates that this is a book on World War II subjects, the "story" actually begins with pre-war markings, including some of the best material I've seen on the experimental camouflage schemes used on Curtiss P-36's at Selfridge Field in 1939. Also included are some views of P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's in very interesting prewar markings. Following this introduction is a thorough explanation of the Army's aircraft marking systems, including insignia development, kill markings, lettering and numbering styles, squadron codes, and individual markings. After a general introduction, which is profusely illustrated, the authors illustrate examples of representative group and squadron markings in the 8th, 9th, 12th and 15th Air Forces. Following this major segment of the book is a short section entitled "Off Duty", which illustrates some squadron hacks, war wearies, and a complete list of squadron code markings used by fighters. Then there is a short section dealing with such subjects as stenciling, propeller tip colors, and designator blocks to identify specific aircraft block and serial numbers, insignia locations, and even tubing color codes. The last chapter deals with the building of what appears to be a Tamiya 1/48 scale P-51D. Comments This is an excellent publication, and contains a lot of information that I hadn't seen before. The artwork and photos are of the highest quality, and I cannot find fault with anything in the text. I don't have a publisher's flyer for the book, so I don't know the price (Bar codes to me are like trying to read Japanese), or where one would obtain a copy, although I suppose that the major model distributors will probably have them. I can say, however, that this book would be extremely useful to any serious modeler of American military aircraft of the World War II period. Having said that, I do have a problem with publications of this kind. The subject is one that appeals as much to American and English speaking readers as anyone, and if the publishers intend to market this publication in English speaking areas, and sell copies to the English speaking modeling market, it would certainly be to their advantage to have accompanying explanations in English as extensive as those in Japanese. What is presented, however, is extensive Japanese text and a very few English subtitles identifying type, unit, location and date. There are no in-depth explanations, and although the pictures contribute extensively to the story, more English text would have improved this book considerably, especially for younger English speaking modelers who are relying on this type of book as a first reference. For those of us with large aviation history libraries, the book is fascinating and very useful. For the novice, other books would probably provide more useful explanations of the fascinating subject of American military aircraft markings and camouflage.

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