ICM ICMDS3521

How to Build The Revell 1:32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa (designed to be used with Revell kits) The name Supermarine Spitfire has now become synonymous with an entire island people, and their battle to maintain their freedom in the shadow of the Nazi jackboot. The very shape and sound of the Supermarine Spitfire seems to still invoke and embody the usually reserved pride of the British person. It is probably true to say that Reginald Mitchell's beautiful aircraft design is one of the most easily recognised and much-loved shapes that ever took to the skies. When actual mass production of the Supermarine Spitfire ceased in 1948, over 20,000 machines had been built, and operated by over thirty countries around the world. This iconic series saw service with the RAF right up until the mid-1950s. It also saw service with the Irish Air Corps as late as 1961; a full 26yrs after the flight of the prototype K5054. Revell has now released an all-new 1:32 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa. With some minor modifications, this model may also be built as a Mk.I or a Mk.Va. Over the course of five Chapters, James Hatch examines the kit contents in detail, describes construction of the model with lavish illustrations, and points out the areas of the kit that may be improved and corrected. This new book features an exhaustive step-by-step guide to construction; plus a painting and weathering tutorial. A number of essential reference resources are also included. More than 200 photos, a reference guide, and photos of the kit sprues are all included-a must have before you build the model!

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Sturmgeschutz/StuG Abteilung 197 A generic set for the Abt 197 StuG.III Ausf. B markings. Emblems handle all 3 main batteries (white, red and yellow), plus Stab (HQ) and Maintenance colours to boot (green and blue). Not forgetting the all-important alphabet styles that each battery employs. Extra white emblem to cover a slight variation in the black eagle. Research was based on a well-documented historical reference of the StuG Abt 197 before they were renamed Schwere Panzerjaeger 653.

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Back in stock! German Fire Extinguisher Labels of WWII (Part 2) Finely printed, down to the exact fonts seen on actual examples. Each label is produced from an larger, more refined format down-scaled to 1/35. Whilst most text can't be seen at this level, one is assured of the highest integrity when it comes to form. A number of labels on this set used gold or silver pigments. Finally, the set also includes a smaller yellow label (never produced in this scale before), which is often placed on the sides of the extinguishers. Each set comes with 20 labels, divided over 5 styles. Spare smaller yellow labels included.

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Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker E - 116 pages For the first time, a book offering a complete look at one of Russia's most modern fighter jets, the Su-35S Flanker E. This ultimate evolution of the Flanker is equipped with powerful engines with thrust vectoring exhausts, a glass cockpit and many new flight and defence systems. The book shows every detail of the aircraft, from the forward fuselage to the wings, landing gear and vertical tails. 8 pages of cockpit photos are included! Action photos picture the aircraft in flight and during operations. It is filled with over 250 spectacular photos, never before published.

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Wehrmacht Personal Equipment 1938-1940: Enlisted Men: ** Note that straps have deliberately been made over length to allow for the differences in component dimensions in various kits and figure sets. It is recommended that a thin piece of masking tape is used in order to ascertain the required length of items marked 'cut to'. It is also recommended to study reference photographs closely to note the position of each item. 1. Collar patches: 1940-on. 2. Sleeve rank chevrons: 1940- (Gefreiter/Obergefreiter/Stabsgefreiter). 3. Sleeve rank stars: 1940-on (Obersoldat). 4. Shoulder straps: 1938-39- (Soldat/Soldat (NCO Candidate)/ Soldat (Officer Candidate 2nd Class)/Obersoldat (Senior Private)/Gefreiter/Obergefreiter/Stabsgefreiter). 5. Pouches for gas sheets. These came in several colours and finishes. 5b. Thickening components for items #5. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#5) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 6. Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) cartridge pouches. 6b. Thickening components for items #6. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#6) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 7. Maschinenpistole 38 (MP38) and Maschinenpistole 40 (MP40) magazine and equipment pouches. These came in several colours and finishes. 7b. Thickening components for items #7. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#7) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 7c. Auxiliary pouch for MP38/MP40 pouches. Attaches to left side of pouch bank. 7d. Thickening components for items #7c. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#7c) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 8. Collar patches: 1938-39. 9. Helmet decals (left & right). 10. Tunic buttons (with spares). 11. Sling for Maschinengewehr 34 (MG34). 12. Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) medals. 13. Infantry assault badges. 14. Wound badges. 15. Vertical back strap (for equipment (shoulder) harness))- cut to required length. Attach to figure before waist belt and equipment (shoulder) harness is attached. 16. Sleeve rank stars: 1938-39- (Obersoldat). 17. Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) ribbons- cut to required length. 18. Sleeve rank chevrons: 1938-39- (Gefreiter/Obergefreiter/Stabsgefreiter). 19. Attachment hooks (for belt). 20. Shoulder straps: 1940-on (Soldat/Soldat (NCO Candidate)/ Soldat (Officer Candidate 2nd Class)/Obersoldat (Senior Private)/Gefreiter/Obergefreiter/Stabsgefreiter). 21. Waist belts and buckles- cut to required length. Attach unbuckled end to figure, then wrap round and join bucks at the front. 22. Equipment (shoulder) harnesses. 23. Breast eagles. 24. Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) slings, with buckles and attachments (to right of slings marked *). Cut slings to required length. Some allowance has been made for the sling to loop back on itself where required. 25. Maschinenpistole 38 (MP38) and Maschinenpistole 40 (MP40). Cut slings to required length. The closing clips are marked *. Some allowance has been made for the sling to loop back on itself where required. 26. Auxiliary side belt for shoulder harness (one per side). 27. Helmet liners. Place liner in helmet and fold segmented sides down. Some kits come with 'filled' helmets so these will need to be hollowed out first. 28. M1931 field flask and drinking cup straps, buckles and loops. Cut strap to required length before placing attachments. 29. 'X' strap for entrenching tool holder and bayonet. 30. Mess tin closing fasteners. 31. Attachments for mess tin carrying handle. Place one on each side of tin. 32. Tent quarter straps. Cut strap to required length. 33. M1930 gas mask carrying canister locks and pull straps. 34. Helmet straps (unfastened). Cut straps to required length. 35. Helmet straps (fastened). Cut strap to required length. 36. M1931 Bread bags (Brotbeutel 31). 37. M1931 bread bag carrying straps and buckles. These were often looped around the helmet with the bag being carried on the rear of the belt by means of attachment hooks. 38. Slings for M1930 gas mask carrying canister. Cut to required length. 39. Belt attachment straps for bread bags. Use in conjunction with #19. See separate illustration for placement. 40. Attach to front flap on bread bag. See separate illustration for placement.

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Wehrmacht Personal Equipment 1938-1940: Enlisted Men: Part Three. 1. Identity tags. 2. Fastening strap for Walther P38 holster. 3. Walther P38 holsters. 4. Infantry assault badges. 5. Pouches for gas sheets. These came in several colours and finishes. 5b. Thickening components for items #5. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#5) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 6. Waist belts. Brown or black leather- cut to length required. 6b. Waist belt clasps. Silver or Field Grey finish. 7. Maschinenpistole 38 (MP38) and Maschinenpistole 40 (MP40) magazine and equipment pouches. These came in several colours and finishes. 7b. Thickening components for items #7. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#7) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 7c. Auxiliary pouch for MP38/MP40 pouches. Attaches to left side of pouch bank. 7d. Thickening components for items #7c. Dependant on colour, attach one each to back face of each single part (#7c) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 8. Collar patches: 1938-39. 9. Helmet decals (left & right). 10. Tunic buttons (with spares). 11. Map cases, fastening straps, buckles and belt loops. Brown or black leather. 12. Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) medals. 13. Daimon field flashlights and components. 14. Wound badges. 15. Vertical back strap (for equipment (shoulder) harness))- cut to required length. Attach to figure before waist belt and equipment (shoulder) harness is attached. 16. Binocular buttoning flaps. 17. Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) ribbons- cut to required length. 18. Tank assault badges. Bronze or silver. 19. Attachment hooks (for belt). 20. General assault badges. Bronze or silver. 21. Binocular eye lens protectors. 22. Equipment (shoulder) harnesses. 23. Breast eagles. 24. P08 Luger holsters. 25. Maschinenpistole 38 (MP38) and Maschinenpistole 40 (MP40). Cut slings to required length. The closing clips are marked *. Some allowance has been made for the sling to loop back on itself where required. 26. Auxiliary side belt for shoulder harness (one per side). 27. Helmet liners. Place liner in helmet and fold segmented sides down. Some kits come with 'filled' helmets so these will need to be hollowed out first. 28. M1931 field flask and drinking cup straps, buckles and loops. Cut strap to required length before placing attachments. 29. 'X' strap for entrenching tool holder and bayonet. 30. Mess tin closing fasteners. 31. Attachments for mess tin carrying handle. Place one on each side of tin. 32. Tent quarter straps. Cut strap to required length. 33. M1930 gas mask carrying canister locks and pull straps. 34. Helmet straps (unfastened). Cut straps to required length. 35. Helmet straps (fastened). Cut strap to required length. 36. Vertical straps for entrenching tool holder. The holder is a different design to that given in KW3D135001, so it it advised to check references. 37. Map accessory pouches. 37b. Thickening components for items #37. Attach one each to back face of each single part (#37) ensuring coloured face is outwards. *Care is advised. 38. Slings for M1930 gas mask carrying canister. Cut to required length. 39. Closing strap for P08 holster (part #24). 40. Horizontal straps for entrenching tool holder. The holder is a different design to that given in KW3D135001, so it is advised to check references. 41. NCO's cross strap, attachments and buckles. Brown or black leather. Cut strap to length required. These were abolished from September/November 1939, but reinstated in 1941 for railway personnel. 42. Cord for identity tags (#1)- cut to required length. 43. Shoulder straps- Unteroffizier, Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier, Unterfeldwebel, Unterwachtmeister, Fahnenjunker-Unterfeldwebel, Feldwebel-Wachtmeister, Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel-Oberwachtmeister, Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel, Stabsfeldwebel-Stabswachtmeister, Fahnenjunker-Stabsfeldwebel. 44. Collar patches: 1940-on.

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Building the F-4 Phantom. The iconic McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was originally developed for the US Navy and entered service in 1960. Proving highly adaptable, it was soon adopted by the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force, and by the mid-1960s had become a major part of their air arms. The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2, and can carry more than 18,000lb of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs. The F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War, where it served as the principal air superiority fighter for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and became important in the ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance roles later in the war. The aircraft continued to form a major part of US military air power throughout the 1970s and 1980s, being gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle, Lockheed-Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18 Hornet. The F-4 Phantom II remained in use by the US forces in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel roles in the 1991 Gulf War, finally leaving service in 1996. It was also the only aircraft used by both the USAF Thunderbirds (F-4E) and the US Navy Blue Angels (F-4J). The Phantom was also operated by the armed forces of eleven other nations, and Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in several conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms, acquired before the fall of the Shah, in the Iran Iraq War, and both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy used the FG.1 and FGR.2 versions using Rolls-Royce Spey engines. As of 2019, sixty years after its first flight, the F-4 remains in service with Iran, Japan, South Korea, Greece, and Turkey. The aircraft has most recently been in service against the Islamic State group in the Middle East. This third book in the MA Extra Series contains fifteen model builds, colour profiles and scale plans, and will be a must for the Phantom-Phanatic!

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Building the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Big, powerful, and truly a juggernaut of an aircraft, resulting in its appropriate nickname 'Jug', the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the really great warplanes of its generation. Alongside the superlative North-American P-51 Mustang and the twin-engined Lockheed P-38 Lightning, it was one of the three principal fighter types which the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) successfully operated in the later stages of World War Two. The initial production version was the P-47B, and examples of this type started to reach the USAAF's 56th Fighter Group in June 1942. The first really combat-ready model was the refined and slightly longer P-47C, which entered service later in 1942. Like all front-line P-47 versions it packed a formidable punch of four 0.5in M2 Browning machine guns in each wing, although early models did not carry the wing pylons that became so important later in the Thunderbolt's combat career. The first P-47C examples to reach Britain for the US Eighth Army Air Force did so in December 1942, followed by what became the main combat model of the Thunderbolt, the P-47D, in April 1943. Weighing in at some 15,000lb (6,804kg) fully loaded and powered by the R-2800-59 Double Wasp of 2,000hp, the P-47D was a big, powerful beast. Water injection introduced for some versions of the R-2800 would see even greater power on demand when needed in aerial combat. All of these early Thunderbolts had the 'razorback' high line rear fuselage pioneered with the P-35 and P-43, with a rearwards-sliding heavily framed cockpit canopy. Although the USAAF at first saw the Thunderbolt as a high altitude interceptor, its main initial role very soon became that of daylight bomber escort with the England- based Eighth Air Force, which was in great need of escort fighters for its B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators that were increasingly facing stiff Luftwaffe fighter opposition. he Thunderbolt helped to turn the tide for the US daylight bombing offensive during 1943 and early 1944, with a number of P-47 pilots gaining impressive scores in air-to-air combat against Luftwaffe fighters. Eventually the appearance of the Merlin-engined P-51B Mustang and later versions of the superb Mustang long-range fighter resulted in the Eighth Air Force almost completely re-equipping its fighter groups with the P-51, but the Eighth's 56th Fighter Group continued to fly the Thunderbolt right up to the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. The Eighth Air Force also pioneered the P-47 for air-to-ground operations as a part of its policy of taking the fight to the Luftwaffe, and additional to this the Thunderbolt eventually equipped several fighter groups specifically for fighter-bomber operations within the tactical England-based US Ninth Air Force. The P-47 proved to be a formidable fighter-bomber due to its impressive eight-gun armament, bomb load and ability to survive enemy fire. The underwing pylons that proved so useful for long-range fuel tanks were equally at home carrying a 500lb (227kg) bomb (one under each wing), and the Ninth Air Force in particular used this capability to devastating effect against German tactical targets before and after D-Day. 'Razorback' Thunderbolts additionally equipped USAAF units in Italy, the Pacific (including exceptional use by the Fifth Air Force), and the China-Burma-India theatre (CBI). Continuing development of the P-47 design led to the adoption later in P-47D manufacture of a cut- down rear fuselage spine and all-round vision 'bubbletop' canopy. This resulted in a further series of later Thunderbolt versions with even greater range and capabilities, but many 'razorback' P-47s nevertheless continued in service right to the war's end " some pilots in fact preferring the 'razorback' to the later models particularly for their better directional stability. Other important users of the Thunderbolt in World War Two included the Soviet Union, the RAF and the Free French. This seventh book in the highly successful MA Extra Series contains fourteen showcase and step by step model builds and will be a must for any P-47 aficionado!

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Swedish Bomber Colours 1924-1958 -White Series - Mikael Forstund. WAS £40.00. NOW BEING CLEARED!! SAVE 1/3RD!!! An illustrated study of Swedish bomber aircraft deployed before and during World War II and in the early 1950s. The camouflage and markings on the aircraft (which were sourced from many different foreign countries) are described in unparalleled detail by the well-known author Mikael Forslund. They are then shown in many previously-unpublished photographs and in exclusive colour profiles created for this book by the artist Karolina Holda, Marek Radomski and others. Aircraft described in the book: B 1 FIAT BR B 2 FIAT BR 1 B 3 Junkers Ju 86K S 7/B 4, S 7A/B 4A, B 4B Hawker Hart B 5 Northrop 8A-1 B 6 Seversky/Republic 2PA Model 204 Guardsman B 7 Fokker G.1B B 16A Caproni Ca 313 R.P.B/S B 17 Saab 17 B 18 Saab 18

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Staff cars in Germany WWII volume 2 Format A4 paperback, 80 pages This latest photo-album in the ""Camera On"" series contains 150 more photographs of private cars adapted for military use by the German forces during WWII. The remainder of the Opel motor company major production types are covered - the car types that were not covered in volume 1 - such as the Opel P-4 that was also used as the basis of many of the pre-war mock-up training tanks used by the German army due to the lack of real tanks to train with. The "Opel Kadett" (cadet), the Opel Supper 6, the "Opel Kapitan" (Captain) and at the top of the range, the luxurious Opel Admiral. In this volume the author provides a detailed impression of these vehicles through original photographs, taken both during and before the war by the normal German soldiers who both used and served with these now classic automobiles.

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CONSOLIDATED PB4Y-1/1P LIBERATOR by Steve Ginter 241-pages, 4-color cover images, 72 drawings, and 511 b&w photos. The Navy's acquisition of the B-24D as a long range patrol bomber/sub hunter (PB4Y-1) and as a long range photo recon platform (PB4Y-1P) marked a major shift in patrol doctrine and the eventual end to the flying boat patrol plane. The Navy Liberators became a one ship strike forces as they roamed thousands of miles on sector searches and destroyed over a 1,000 ships and hundreds of aircraft. The original under-gunned early B-24Ds were up-gunned with bow turrets from Consolidated, ERCO, MPC, and Emerson and with Sperry ball turrets in their bellys when search radar was not fitted. The B-24Ds were replaced with B-24Js, B-24Ls, and B-24Ms all designated PB4Y-1/1Ps. The PB4Y-1P photo planes were used to map and surveil Japanese strongholds before invasions and discover new airfields and fleet movements. No mission was too far or too dangerous. It was in a remote control PB4Y-1 flying bomb that Joe Kennedy was killed over England. After the war, photo squadrons continued to operate the photo version into the early 1050s. The book covers all engineering details and structures and covers all the PB4Y-1 squadron's historys and most combat operations. 13-pages of modeling options are also provided.

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Grumman F2F and F3F (pre-war Navy/Marine biplane fighters. 192-pages [ F3F-1 F3F-2 F3F-3] And Civilian Variants By Richard S. Dann Published by Ginter Books The 192-page F2F and F3F book is generously illustrated with over 440 photos, including 34 color photos, many not previously published. In addition, 39 illustrations and line drawings are included. The early 1930s was a time of great change in the field of military fighter aviation. At the beginning of the decade, the state-of-the-art in fighter manufacture was the use of traditional construction techniques of welded tube fuselages and fabric covered surfaces. Fixed landing gear and open cockpits were standard equipment. By mid-decade, the state-of-the-art was changing. Lightweight aluminum alloys were being developed that offered high strength and light weight. External bracing gave way to cantilevered aero surfaces. Enclosed cockpits, retractable landing gear and aerodynamic streamlining were becoming standard design features on civilian and military aircraft of the day. In the late 1920s, the U.S. Navy fighter market was dominated by Curtiss and Boeing with aircraft manufactured using conservative design and construction techniques that had been employed at the beginning of the decade. By the early 1930s, however, Boeing had updated their F4B/P-12 design, incorporating a stressed skin, semi-monocoque fuselage into later models of both. In the Autumn of 1929, three engineers from the Loening Aircraft Company on Long Island made the decision not to relocate to Pennsylvania during a merger. Instead, they resolved to form their own aircraft manufacturing company. Thus, Leroy Grumman , Leon "Jake" Swirbul and William Schwendler founded the Grumman Aeronautical Engineering Corporation, in December 1929. Following early successes with the FF-1/SF-1 naval aircraft, Grumman turned its attention to designing a single-seat naval fighter for use aboard the U.S. Navy's growing carrier fleet. With excellent performance attributes, the Navy purchased 55 F2F-1s. While performance of the F2F-1 were impressive, Grumman continued development, offering the Navy an improved design known as the F3F-1. With even better performance than the F2F, the Navy eventually ordered a total of 162 F3Fs in three major subvariants. Grumman 's stubby F2F and F3F airplanes dominated U.S. Navy fighter squadrons from 1935 to 1941, with the final operational F3Fs relinquished to the training command a mere two months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and surrounding facilities. The first half of this 192-page monograph covers the developmental history of the F2F and F3F. Individual aircraft histories are provided for each aircraft, listing assigned commands, mishaps and final disposition. Detailed period engineering photos show every aspect of the aircraft. This is followed by an operational history of each Navy and Marine Corps squadron that operated the F2F and F3F.

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Boeing F4B Biplane written by retired Navy Captain Richard S. Dann. With 408 b&w photos and 24 drawings filling its 160-pages. After three years of intensive research, author Richard S. Dann has finally produced the definitive history of the Boeing F4B, the Navy's iconic Golden Age fighting plane. The Boeing F4B, a favorite of pilots who flew it, still draws interest of hobbyists and historians alike, primarily due to the striking paint schemes worn by these aircraft during their service. Boeing, a company in existence since 1916, had produced a number of fighter aircraft for both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. Derived from the company's successful PW-9 series for the Army, Boeing developed what can be considered the first truly successful carrier fighter with their FB series. First flown in 1925, the FB set the stage for the development of several follow-on aircraft for the Navy, namely the F2B and F3B. These aircraft were manufactured using state-of-the-art techniques, being constructed with welded tube fuselages and wooden wing structure, with fabric covered surfaces. These standard construction methods were also used in the Boeing Models 83 and 89, which were built on speculation, tested by the Navy in 1928 and subsequently purchased as the XF4B-1. Sufficiently impressed with their performance, the Navy ordered 27 F4B-1s with deliveries commencing in 1929. A second version, the F4B-2 was developed with improvements over the initial model and also put into production with 27 built. As the decade of the 1930s began, the use of traditional construction techniques of welded tube fuselages gave way to airframes manufactured using lightweight aluminum alloys. Use of semi-monocoque, stressed skin aluminum offered lighter airframes and subsequently, higher performance. In the F4B series, this was first seen on the company-funded Model 218 prototype, which bridged the gap between the earlier and later versions of the F4B. The later versions of the F4B, the F4B-3 and F4B-4 were partially constructed of aluminum alloys as first used on the Model 218 in place of steel tubes, offering high strength and light weight. Just 21 F4B-3s were built before Boeing switched production to the F4B-4, of which 92 were built. Boeing's F4B dominated U.S. Navy fighter and some bomber squadrons from 1931 to 1935, with the last squadrons of F4Bs transitioning in 1938. As F4Bs were phased out of front-line service, they were turned over to the training command, and later, as unmanned aerial targets used for training shipboard anti-aircraft gunnery crews as part of Project FOX. The last F4Bs were withdrawn from service in 1942. The first half of this 160-page monograph covers the developmental history of the F4B. Each version from F4B-1 to F4B-4 is covered, as well as the Boeing Model 218, which served as the prototype for the F4B-3 and F4B-4. 408 photographs and 24 drawings provide an in-depth study of each version. Much of the data for this section comes from period test reports and specification documents. In addition, a history of each airframe is provided, including squadron assignments, mishaps, strike dates, final disposition and total hours of flight time, if known. This is followed by an operational history of each Navy and Marine Corps squadron that operated the F4B as well as other Navy/Marine Corps commands that operated the type. Also included is a history of the Boeing Models 256 and 267, export variants that were sold to Brazil and the F4B-4A, which consisted of P-12s given to the Navy. Just two F4Bs found their way to civilian operators, and their civilian use is also included in this book. The final chapter dedicated to the aircraft discusses eight new-build Boeings that have been under construction in Gardnerville, Nevada since 1993. The first of these aircraft is expected to fly in late 2023 or early 2024. As with nearly all Ginter books, the final chapter is devoted to model kits. In the latest book of Steve Ginter's Naval Fighters series, you'll find many interesting facts you may not have known about the F4B.

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FROM BATS TO RANGERS A Pictorial History of Electronic Countermeasures Squadron Two (ECMRON-2) Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) by Angelo Romano and AMHC (AW) John D. Herndon, USN, Ret. This Pictorial History of US Navy's Electronic Countermeasures Squadron Two (ECMRON-2 or VQ-2), later designated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (FAIRECONRON TWO or VQ-2) by Angelo Romano and AMHC (AW) John D. Herndon, USN, Ret. is the second title of the new U.S. Navy SQUADRON HISTORIES by GINTER BOOKS. The photo coverage of the history of the Electric Bats, also known as the Rangers, is comprehensive, both in terms of photography and in terms of historical content. Much of the squadron's mission was top secret, as were many of its cold war missions, but the authors were able to utilize official (declassified) documents and first-hand accounts to write this book. For completeness, it is also a history of the U.S. Navy Electronic Intelligence gathering activities going back to WWII, beginning with the creation of the Cast Mike (Counter Measures) Project in 1942 and the deployment of early XARD receivers aboard aircraft like the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB4Y Liberator. After WWII, the Navy started to use the Privateers as dedicated ELINT platforms and assigned them to two special units operating jointly with the National Security Group. One of these units, designated Port Lyautey Patrol Unit (NPU), was based at Naval Air Activities Port Lyautey, in French Morocco. It was first assigned modified PB4Y-1s and later, the Martin P4M-1Q Mercator. The NPU teamed with the Naval Security Group's Naval Communications Unit 32 George (NCU32G), which provided the ELINT equipment installed on board and the crew to operate them, mostly for covert operations around Europe and the Mediterranean. When the NPU reached its full complement of four P4M-1Qs, the unit and NCU32G, needed to have an administrative identity for budgetary and logistics purposes. Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO (VW-2), based at NAS Patuxent River, was therefore selected to be its "mother" squadron. On 1 May 1953, NPU Port Lyautey became VW-2 Detachment A (or DET ABLE). In 1955, the Navy decided to establish a dedicated squadron for the unique mission rather than continue with a detachment: Electronic Countermeasures Squadron TWO (ECMRON TWO) was established on 1 Sep 1955. ECMRON TWO was assigned the alphanumeric designation "VQ-2". Its mission was to conduct electronic-search in support of fleet operations to obtain adequate and timely information on enemy radar, communications, and other emissions in support of fleet operations. The Squadron inherited the P4M-1Qs from VW-2 DET A and acquired a Lockheed P2V Neptune for utility purposes. On 1 Jan 1960, EMCRON TWO was redesignated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (FAIRECONRON TWO) but still retained the alphanumeric designation "VQ-2". In 1956, VQ-2 received its first Douglas A3D-1Q Skywarrior, followed in 1957 by one A3D-1. In 1958, the Squadron received the Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune to augment the P4M-1Qs. The more capable A3D-2Q/EA-3B arrived in 1959 followed by the big Lockheed WV-2Q/EC-121M Constellation in 1960. The first Lockheed EP-3E ARIES arrived in 1971 and the squadron continued to fly this aircraft until disestablishment in 2012. The VQ-2 history and all worldwide events surrounding it are very well described and documented. This 242-page book contains 180 B&W and 444 color photos, most never published before. Thirty-seven superbly detailed aircraft color profiles show the evolution of the color schemes and markings and the different aircraft types and sub-types, providing very useful information for the benefit of both modelers and aviation historians. The inclusion of many squadron patches completes this masterpiece. THE AUTHORS Angelo Romano Angelo has authored six books: Wings from Coral Sea (Golden Wing Publications, 1986), Naval Fighters (Osprey, 1990), Naval Air Weapons Meet 1956-1959 (Model Publishing, 2006), First and Foremost - An illustrated History of Carrier Air Wing One - CVW-1 Part One 1934-1957 (Model Publishing, 2006), CVW-1 Part Two 1957-1973 (Model Publishing, 2008), and Black Knights Rule! (BKR) - A Pictorial History of VBF-718 / VF-68A / VF-837 / VF-154 / VFA-154 - 1946-2013 (Ginter Books, 2014). John D. Herndon AMHC (AW) Retired U.S. Navy John joined the U.S. Navy in 1978, Assigned to VQ-2 a total of 13 years E-1 to E-7, deployed to six Aircraft carriers in support of the EA-3B aircraft. Additionally deployed to locations all around the world in support of the EP-3E aircraft, Maintenance Control, Aircraft Division and Detachment Leading Chief Petty Officer. Retired out of VQ-2 his last tour which ended in 2000, went on to civilian life, employers ATA and American Airlines and finally the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector, currently the Boeing 787 Fleet Program Manager overseeing United Airlines safety compliance. Very involved over the years in collecting VQ-2 information/ history, assisted in raising funds and restoring a VQ-2 EA-3B Aircraft in Fort Worth Texas Ranger 15 BuNo 146453.

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United States Air Force in Vietnam by Lou Drendel & Norm Taylor. Covers all aircraft used by USAF in that conflict with in-depth first person narratives added. The color pages are all photos, the covers are Lou Drendels paintings. Most photos and the two-paintings have never been published before. In addition to the photographic history of a long series of deployments by a myriad of USAF aircraft, from the fighters that were the tip of the spear to the support aircraft that performed logistical and special missions, we have included combat narratives, and a very thoughtful and accurate assessment of the war by retired USAF General Baughn who flew early Rolling Thunder missions, and then was assigned to Saigon at the war's end.

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Martin XB-48 48-pages, 96 b&w photos, 3 color photos, 26 b&w illustrations. In 1944, the Army issued requirements for a jet-propelled medium bomber which eventually spawned four aircraft. These were the North-American B-45 (see Air Force Legends 224), Convair XB-46 (see Air Force Legends 221), Boeing B-47, and the Martin XB-48 the sudject of this book. Specifications were somewhat general and called for an 80,000 to 200,000 lb aircraft with a 45,000 ft ceiling, range of 3,000 miles and a maximum speed of 550 mph. The Martin designwas a three-place, straight wing, six-jet, high wing, all metal medium bomber. The unique landing gear developed by Martin consisted of dual wheel main gear located in tandem with outrigger single type wing gear. This gear arrangement allowed for a huge continuance bomb bay with quick acting doors capable of carrying a 22,000 lb "Grand Slam" bomb. The other unique feature of the airplane was instalation of the six J35 engines. Each engine (three on a wing) had its own squarish nacelle seperated with by-pass ducts framed by a thin airfoil plate across the bottom of the three engines mounted under each wing. Two aircraft were produced and were tested at the Naval air Test Center, NASa�é-Ë�Patuxent River, MD, about 70 miles from Martin's New River plant before being accepted by the Air Force. The XB-48 was not accepted for production, those contracts going to the B-45 and B-47. The second XB-48 finished its life as a landing pilot training plane for future B-47 pilot's.

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Colour Conundrum Compendium No.3 84 pages By Paul Lucas Guideline Publications is pleased to announce the third 'Colour Conundrum Compendium'. This volume collates two groups of articles, the first dealing with the RAF's 'exotic' Tropical Land and Sea Schemes and colours from 1933-1945, while the second deals with the unusual RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Schemes and colours from 1939-1945. As with Compendium No.2, this volume contains new material that has not been previously published in Scale Aircraft Modelling. These two new Conundrums contain material that dovetails into the Tropical Land and Sea Schemes section in such a way that the result is a volume containing more information on the development and possible use of these schemes than has ever appeared in any one place before on three themes: the RAF in the Second World War, the Post War Fleet Air Arm, and related products of the United States' aviation industry that are intertwined with both the other subject areas. To this has been added a completely new chapter on the B-17Cs of 90 Sqn in 1941, which along with the 4 pages of updates presenting new findings on some of the subjects, makes for an additional 12,000 previously unpublished words. Quoting extensively from primary sources, the articles also provide valuable insight into the organisation and administration of the air force, and the many thousands of documents and memos that passed from office to office behind the scenes, providing background and understanding that add depth and focus to a model, as well as an opportunity to understand why a specific colour scheme may have been either selected or rejected. With original research based on surviving records in the National Archive at Kew the aim of these articles is to throw fresh light upon some old questions, to challenge some long held views on aircraft camouflage and markings, and to pose new questions that had arisen as a result of the research to which the answers were not yet known.

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M18 HELLCAT TANK DESTROYER (Soft cover) Though relatively lightly armored, Buick's M18 Hellcat could top 55 MPH, making it the fastest armored fighting vehicle fielded during World War II. The Tank Destroyer men who crewed these vehicles used this speed and the Hellcat's 76mm high-velocity cannon to destroy German tanks; firing at the vulnerable areas of the enemy, and then racing away before coming under fire themselves. This volume examines the three principal variants of the Hellcat - the preproduction T70, early M18, and late M18, using ample visual reference to document these vehicles - and their differences - inside and out. Engine and drive train, driver's compartment, weapons and sighting systems, and stowage - both interior and exterior - are all carefully presented. Illustrated with 230 color photographs, 5 color photographs, 5 line drawings, and 4 profiles; 80 pages.

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Grumman F-14 Tomcat By Charles Stafrace. The US Navy embarked on the VFX fighter programme when it became obvious that the weight, engine and manoeuvrability issues plaguing F-111B, the naval variant of the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX), would not be resolved to the Navy's satisfaction. The Navy requirement was for a fleet air defence fighter whose primary role was intercepting Soviet bombers before they could launch missiles against the carrier battle group. The Navy strenuously opposed the TFX, which incorporated the US Air Force's requirements for a low-level attack aircraft that were not required by the Navy. Grumman came up with a solution in the form of their F-14 Tomcat, a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing aircraft. But what made the Tomcat head and shoulders above all other fighters was its AWG-9 weapons control radar married to the superlative AIM-54A Phoenix air-to-air missile. The Tomcat was all the US Navy required, and the F-111B episode was soon forgotten. The F-14A was the first version of the Tomcat, and it entered US Navy service in 1972 with VF-1 and VF-2 and first deployed overseas on USS Enterprise in 1974, gradually replacing the later versions of the F-4 Phantom on the US carriers' decks. The F-14A served only with one foreign air force, the Imperial Iranian Air Force which, after the 1978 revolution, came to be known as the Iranian Islamic Iranian Air Force. The Tomcat's role in Iran's war against Iraq from 1980 to 1988 is explained in detail. The Iranian, in its locally-improvised versions, is still in service. The F-14A version of the Tomcat inherited not only the AWG-9/AIM-54 system from the ill-fated F-111B but also its troublesome TF30 engine. In the US Navy it was only when the F-14B was re-engined with the more powerful and more reliable F-110-GE-400, as was also the F-14D, that the Tomcat really showed its true potential in the air. The Tomcat went on to serve on all US carriers of the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk Class of carriers and on all nuclear powered carriers built until 2006, the year when the Tomcat was retired from service. During the years it spent on deck, the Tomcat, in its F-14A, F-14B and F-14D versions, participated in all US interventions of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Horn of Africa, and distinguished itself not only as an interceptor fighter, but later also as a ground support and reconnaissance aircraft when the need for these two new roles were needed and when equipped with the LANTIRN and TARPS systems. The Tomcat's story was immortalised by the Hollywood production that made 'Tomcat' and 'Top Gun' household names, but in real life the Tomcat was truly a confirmed 'MiG-killer' and a 'Sukhoi-killer' in encounters with hostile Libyan opposition. Its exit from the US Navy scene in 2006 was a controversial one, as the aircraft was still considered a valuable asset to the fleet. However, its astronomical maintenance hours per flight hours and its ageing systems compared with the newer F/A-18 Hornet worked against it. All this is explained in detail in this new Warpaint title, a 124-page account of America's most famous fighter of recent times, that contains no fewer than 280 photos, ten pages of colour profiles, scale plans, fourteen information tables and a text that give exact details of every squadrons, details of all deployments with carrier, CVW, dates and destination, conversions to later versions, and many other information as now expected from titles by author Charles Stafrace, supported by superb artwork by John Fox.

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The Auster, In British Military & Foreign Air Arm Service. Author Adrian M Balch 64 pages, 15 pages of Colour Profiles Over 150 many never seen before images Stemming from the original American Taylorcraft design, the British Auster is arguably as well known and famous as the Tiger Moth, being built at the right time to provide a vital role during WW2 in the Air Observation Post role, spotting and reporting artillery positions, particularly during D-Day and through decades of post-war conflicts worldwide. Founded in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England, as Taylorcraft Aero-planes (England) Limited, they made 1,604 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster monoplanes which were built during World War II for the armed forces of the UK and Canada. The type has proved to be versatile and adaptable to worldwide conditions being fitted with wheels, floats or skis as per the Trans-Antarctic Expeditions, which are all recorded within. This is another comprehensive Warpaint book by Adrian Balch, which covers the design and de-velopment of the Auster, highlighting the variants that were used in military service by the RAF, Army Air Corps and air arms around the world, culminating in the variants built by BEAGLE. Nearly 150 photographs, many rare and never seen before, illustrate the type in military service, supported by 13 pages of colour profile drawings and plans by artist Sam Pearson.

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de Havilland (Canada) DHC-2 Beaver By Adrian M. Balch. The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engine high-wing propeller-driven short take off and landing (STOL) aircraft developed and manufactured by de Havilland Canada. It has been mainly operated as a bush plane and has been used for a wide variety of utility roles, such as cargo and passenger hauling, aerial application (crop dusting and aerial topdressing), and civil aviation duties. It has been used by military armed forces in a variety of roles worldwide and has seen conflict in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Production lasted 20 years and when it finally ceased in 1967, a total of 1,657 DHC-2 Beavers had been constructed since the first flight in 1947. The Beaver was designed for flight in rugged and remote areas of the world and today hundreds of Beavers are still flyinga�é-"many of them heavily modified to adapt to changes in technology and needs. This is the second de Havilland Canada type in the Warpaint Series written by author Adrian Balch with over 100 rare photographs from his extensive archives, nearly all in col-our and many never seen before, supported once again by excellent colour profiles and drawings by artist Sam Pearson. With the Airfix Beaver kit recently reissued, this is a must for modellers of the type and aviation historians alike as this is the first comprehensive publication published on this type in so much detail. Warpaint No.139 de Havilland (Canada) DHC-2 Beaver Author: Adrian M. Balch 56 pages Over 12 pages Colour Profiles 150 Images Detailed plans

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Grumman F6F Hellcat. Even before Pearl Harbor the U.S. Navy realised that it would be hard for its existing fighters, the F2A Buffalo and F4F Wildcat, to deal with Japan's shipboard fighters, especially the A6M Zero. The situation was such that in June 1941 the U.S. Navy placed orders with Grumman 's 'Iron Works' for the F6F Hellcat before the first prototype had even flown. It was the right decision for Grumman 's new fighter, although much larger and heavier than the Zero, proved to be the latter's nemesis, so that the American fighter's better fire-power, sturdiness, range and speed more than matched the Zero's agility. Its entry into service was also timely, for the much- awaited F4U Corsair suffered from a flawed carrier deck capability, so that the Hellcat remained the main carrier fighter of the U.S. Navy throughout the rest of the Second World War and established air superiority in the Pacific. Indeed, in barely two years of war it destroyed no less than 5,271 enemy aircraft of the 6,477 claimed by the U.S. fighters, attaining a fantastic kill-to-loss ratio of 19.1:1, and fully deserving the nickname of 'Ace-Maker'. It certainly was the most important Allied shipboard fighter of that world conflict. The Hellcat was used also by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, during the war, while in the postwar period it saw service with the French Aeronavale, which used them in Indochina, as well as with the Uruguayan Navy, the latter flying them until 1961. [F6F-3 F6F-5 F6F-3N F6F-5N]

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The Last Flight Of the L31. The true story of the Potters Bar Zeppelin (Albatros specials) On October 1 1916, the inhabitants of Potters Bar, Middlesex were witness to the fiery destruction of a raiding German Zeppelin that came down on the Oakmere Estate.All 19 crewmembers perished,including the airship's redoubtable commander Kapitanleutnant Heinrich Mathy. This evocative century-old event is now commemorated by Ray Rimell in this new book officially published on 1 October 2016; with the aid of many contemporary eyewitness accounts,plus official military records and personal family archives ,the author presents a fulsome account of the night's drama and traces the wartime career of L31's commander as never before. Including over 50 rare photos,together with specially- commissioned artwork and drawings ,Ray's unique account accurately records one of the most dramatic aerial encounters over British soil during 'The Great War.' Limited to 1000 copies,all individually numbered and signed by the author, advance copies are now available in limited numbers....

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