Hikoki Publications

Luftwaffe Eagle

by  Walter Schuck

Reviewed By  Pablo Bauleo, IPMS# 46363

MSRP: $49.95 ISBN: 1902109066 Review copy from Specialty Press: Website: www.specialtypress.com/ Walter Schuck's autobiography of his service with the Luftwaffe is impressive in scope, length, historical pictures and detail. The book covers his years in training and transition to operational status in the west, then it moves to his almost 3 years of front-line service in the Arctic Front and finalizes with his service with JG.7 flying the Me-262. The book describes in a simple yet gripping narrative, the life of a Luftwaffe pilot. Despite having been involved in many combat situation, this book is not just about the thrill (and sometimes terror) or aerial combat and dogfights. It covers the every day life aspects of a fighter pilot base, the challenging and demanding flight conditions in the Arctic, where compasses often cannot be trusted, and the long, dark winter nights make orientation landmarks difficult to identify. As the narrative progresses, the general tone of it changes, as the war fortunes of Germany changed over the years. The book is profusely illustrated with black and white pictures of the airplanes serving in the arctic front and it includes some color profiles. The book also has an appendix devoted to the airplanes that Schuck flew against. This book provides a first hand account of transitioning into and flying the Me-262 in combat. Although Schuck's service with JG.7 was short in time, it was significant as he achieved 8 victories on the jet fighter in just 2 weeks, for a total of 206 victories during World War II. Walter Schuck was shot down in 1945 and survived the war. It is particularly touching reading about the friendship he developed after the war with the P-51 pilot that shot him down. Recommended both to aviation history aficionados and modelers. I would like to thank Hikoki Publications for kindly providing the review book.