Albatros Productions Ltd.

Windsock Worldwide Magazine, Volume 25 Number 1, Jan/Feb 2009

Reviewed By  Clarence Wentzel, IPMS# 1096

MSRP: £6.80 (~$10.00 USD) Albatros Productions Ltd. - Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk This bimonthly 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 who also publish the great line of Windsock Datafiles and Specials. The cover of this latest issue shows an interesting in-flight image of a Nieuport 28 from the 94th Aero Squadron. It was different in appearance from the normal Windsock cover so I was wondering if they had changed their format. The answer was that they had not changed their format and were simply giving their readers a preview of an interesting new WW I Flight sim, Rise of Flight. The sim is being developed in Russia and is said to surpass the accuracy of the WW II IL-2 sim. Additional images are shown. The lead article of the magazine is a very interesting "Modelling Master Class" by Lance Krieg. This is intended to be an ongoing series with this first part covering Tools and References. This article covers six pages and shows various modelers' workshops, tools, use of tools, references, storage of kits, decals and references etc. It really is a comprehensive look at what a typical modeler needs to build his masterpieces. This article should be read by all modelers, not just WW I modelers. A couple of articles cover plastic model builds. One covers the Nieuport 17 and 24 and shows several models, including in progress pictures, along with some reference photos of the Nieuports at war. Two recent kits of the SPAD XIII are also previewed. These are the Eduard 1/48 kit and the Roden 1/32 kit. For the Aviation enthusiast, another of the great Ian Stair drawings is included. This one is the Short Bomber, a short-lived single engine bomber that was used for a short period early in the war. Next, George Haddow continues his series of Austro-Hungarian Naval Airplanes. This segment covers the Lohner Type P flying boat. A detailed three view drawing along with color profiles are shown along with several good photos of the aircraft. Finally, three photos of Training School Jennies, along with a dozen color profiles are shown. Lots of good color schemes on these profiles. I have just hit the highlights of this issue. Lots of additional photos of models and real aircraft are included. Windsock Worldwide magazine can be obtained from selected outlets or directly from the publisher. Subscriptions are offered for both the magazine and for the regularly published Datafiles. Significant savings will result from a combined subscription. Full details and ordering forms can be obtained at their web site - 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. This magazine is well recommended to all modelers or aviation enthusiasts interested in World War One aircraft. I would like to express my thanks to Albatros Productions for kindly providing this sample for review.