The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the most prominent German fighter type of World War II – over 35,000 were built and it served in many different variants and roles throughout the course of the war. It was the true workhorse of the German Luftwaffe throughout the war and continued in front-line service with some European countries for many years afterwards. This title details the early and pre-war variants, including the Bf 109s that flew in the Spanish Civil War, Poland, France and the Battle of Britain, in a series of increasingly complex construction projects. It also details the numerous kits available of this famous fighter.
First entering service in 1941 the legendary 'all-wooden' Mosquito was one of the best twin-engined aircraft of its size to see action in World War II. The addition of radar turned the Mosquito into the RAF's premier night fighter, and it achieved great success in the defence of Britain, with some 600 raiders and 600 V1 rockets falling to its guns between 1942 and 1945. The design's superb performance, and ability to escape interception by enemy fighters also made the Mosquito the ideal choice for the RAF's photographic reconnaissance force. This wide range of roles across multiple theatres and air forces are all reflected in the variety of kits built and colour schemes shown throughout this book.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is one of the most recognizable fighter aircraft in history, and this book focuses on the Messerschmitt Bf 109F and early G models – the Friedrich and Gustav – the workhorses of the German Luftwaffe during the middle years of World War II. Detailing five different builds across the scales, and featuring aircraft in camouflage schemes and markings from the Western Desert to the Russian Steppes, this book is an excellent source of reference for both the beginner and expert modeller, on one of the most effective killing machines of World War II.
A retired RAF Wing Commander examines the history of Germany’s favored fighter plane during the latter years of World War II. The most iconic German aircraft of the Second World War, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe’s principal fighter from 1939 until 1942 when the superior Focke-Wulf Fw 190 came into greater prominence. The Bf 109 served in every theatre of the war, though in this book the author examines the Tip and Run era, D-Day, and the Eastern Front. In the later years of the war, the Bf 109 fought with some success in the defense of Germany against Allied bombers. The Bf 109 was the most produced fighter aircraft in history and more aerial kills were made with this fighter than any other aircraft. Indeed, A total of 105 Bf 109 pilots were each credited with the destruction of 100 or more enemy aircraft; thirteen of these men scored more than 200 kills, while two scored more than 300. The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring fighter aces of the war: Erich Hartmann, Gerhard Barkhorn, and Günther Rall. All of them flew with JG 52, a unit which exclusively flew the Bf 109 and was credited with over 10,000 victories, chiefly on the Eastern Front. The Bf 109 was also supplied to several of Germany’s allies, including Finland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovakia. In this selection of unrivalled images collected over many years, the operations of this famous aircraft in the latter part of the Second World War are portrayed and brought to life
The term Marder (meaning weasel) was the name given to this family of open-topped tank destroyers. Combining high mobility and heavy firepower, they saw significant combat action in several theatres, This book provides a detailed guide to modelling the Marder in 1/35 scale, and offers diverse challenges to modellers of all abilities. Conversions, interior detailing, kit bashing, adding aftermarket figures and parts, creating different finishes and weathering techniques are all covered in step-by-step visual detail.
With around 32000 aircraft produced, continuous improvement to performance and modification for differing combat requirements meant that identifying a particular variant or sub-type often meant hours of research. This study sets out to describe and portray the differences of all known production variants, revealing myths and anomalies in the process.
Although not as glamorous as vehicles such as the Panther and Tiger, the Panzer IV formed an extremely important part of the German armoured forces during World War II. This title provides detailed 1/72-scale build articles on a Panzer IV Ausf. H in winter camouflage, a Jagdpanzer IV, a late-version Sturmpanzer IV, a final version Sturmgeschütz IV, and a Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind. Conversions, interior detailing, kit-bashing, adding aftermarket figures and parts, finishing and weathering, plus special scale techniques are all covered in detail. A gallery section also features Panzer IV Ausf. H, Panzer IV L/70 (V), and Panzer IV L/70 (A) variants.
The Tiger tank is probably the most famous tank of World War II. Both the Tiger I and its successor, the Tiger II, were used as bases for other German vehicles. This book covers a wide range of vehicles based on the chassis of the Tiger I and II tanks in 1/72 scale. It provides a detailed guide to modelling the basic tank versions as well as the Sturmmörser Sturmtiger (Tiger I variant), Jagdtiger (Tiger II variant) and the Panzerjäger Tiger (P) Elefant tank destroyer. A variety of camouflage schemes are described in depth, and the text covers photo-etched parts, resin aftermarket sets, scratch-building, and the use of figures and groundwork.
The F4F Wildcat was an aircraft of the type of which legends are made. Without the handling performance that made the Japanese Zero so famous, it was well regarded for its ruggedness and firepower and, in the hands of a skilled pilot who understood both its strengths and weaknesses, it was capable of holding its own against the best that its opponents had to offer. This book details projects that encompass four variants of the F4 Wildcat. As they were supplied to a number of air forces during the war, including the RAF, there is a wide range of markings available to modellers which are also dealt with in detail. Covering a range of modelling abilities from a beginner's first build to an expert scratch-building extras, this book is illustrated with full-colour step-by-step photographs.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the truly world class piston-engined fighters of World War II. This reputation rests largely with the E and F variants, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe's most important operations in World War II and shot down tens of thousands of Allied aircraft in the Battle of Britain, the Blitzkriegs across Europe and on the Eastern Front. This volume looks at the design and development history of these formidable warplanes, with a meticulous technical focus to reveal why the types were so effective. It explores the long process of tweaks to the E variant, and solutions to the many initial technical problems with the F, and how this development helped Willy Messerschmitt's promising Bf 109 design mature and fulfil its potential.
