Osprey Publishing

Jagdgeschwader 7 "Nowotny" Aviation Elite Units # 29

by  Robert Forsyth

Reviewed By  Clare Wentzel, IPMS# 1096

MSRP: $25.95 ISBN 13: 978 1 84603 320 9 Website: www.ospreypublishing.com This latest addition to Osprey's Aviation Elite Units series covers the Luftwaffe's Jagdgeschwader 7, the unit that was established to bring the Messerschmitt Me-262 into operational status. This 128 page, soft cover book by Robert Forsyth includes well over 100 black and white photos as well as 24 full color profiles prepared by Jim Laurier. Mr. Forsyth has studied the history and operations of the Luftwaffe for many years and can be considered an expert on the Me-262. He has authored books on JV-44, The Galland Circus as well as the fascinating "Battle over Bavaria". As the Luftwaffe started to receive production quantities of their revolutionary jet aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me-262, an internal battle was being waged within the Luftwaffe regarding the use of the airplane - bomber or fighter. General of the Fighter Forces, Adolf Galland was able to obtain a few Me-262s for a small test unit to assess the aircraft as a fighter in operational conditions. This test unit was not well organized and Walter Nowotny, a 23-year-old ace with 255 victories, was called upon to consolidate the test unit into a newly formed Kommando Nowotny. Despite his prowess as a pilot, Walter Nowotny continued to encounter problems with training accidents, pilots who were not well qualified to fly the Me-262 and problems with the delicate engines of the aircraft itself. The situation came to a head on November 7, 1944 when Nowotny was killed. The death of Walter Nowotny effectively ended the Kommando that bore his name but the honor title, along with the aircraft and personnel would emerge in a larger, more structured unit, Jagdgeschwader 7. By the end of the war, JG 7 had claimed nearly 200 victories. This book covers in detail, the personnel, operations, failures and successes of this group. A number of the photos show the personnel involved but the majority of the photos cover the Me-262. Many of these photos are published for the first time. The color profiles contain many different camouflage schemes and markings, again including several previously unpublished schemes. I was specifically impressed with a couple of schemes of planes flown by Major Rudolf Sinner. The scheme consists of wide diagonal stripes of RLM 82 and 83. It is time to build another Me-262 model. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is amazing that the Luftwaffe had any success at all with this airplane. They seemed to encounter one problem after another. The reader is immersed in the problems of the men on the front line as well as Generals of the Luftwaffe. It is a fascinating story, made more intense by the relentless Allied bombing with their fighter escorts. The book is well recommended for people interested in aviation history as well as modelers. The book can be obtained from the publishers at the web site listed above as well as from many booksellers. Osprey produce several series of books that the aircraft modeler will enjoy. They include this series, Aviation Elite Units, as well as Combat Aircraft and Aircraft of the Aces series. A big thank you to Osprey Publishing for providing this sample for review. Well recommended!