The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

Machine shown here is Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey, 168228 from VMM-266. On 23 March 2007, the “Griifins” were reactivated and became the third combat squadron to field the MV-22 “Osprey”. The squadron is now designated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (VMM-266).

Srecko Bradic

All photos- Mark Nankivil

With its rotary engine “pusher” configuration affording excellent visibility and eliminating the need for a synchronized machine gun, the DH2 was more than a match for anything the Germans could put in the air until the arrivel of the Albatros DI and DII, sleek inline-engined machines built for speed and twin-gun firepower.

Thus, the later part of 1916 saw an epic struggle in the skies above the Somme pitting the manoeuvrable yet under-gunned DH2 against the less agile yet better armed and faster Albatros DIs and DIIs.

This book tells the story of that confrontation and casts new light on the clash between the first British ace, Major Lanoe Hawker, and Manfred von Richthofen in one of World War One’s greatest dogfights.

After a short introduction and a chronology of the principal events from 1914 to 1916, the book gives, for each aircraft, a long and interesting description of their design and development, and some informations about their respective conceptors. Next chapter gives the technical specifications of each aircraft, as well as their colours and markings.

Then we go to the strategic situation in 1916, followed by the combatants and naturally the combats. Statistic and analysis are also given, and the book ends with the “aftermath” for those aircrafts…

As always with Osprey, the book is richly illustrated with lot of photos of excellent quality, from the aircrafts and the pilots. There are also lot of splendid drawings.

This is a very interesting book about the mid-WWI, giving lot of informations about some of the aircrafts that marked a big evolution in combat warfare. I recommend it warmly! Direct order here!

Daniel Clamot

Sample publication provided by Osprey

So, after “Aircraft of the Aces” #97 that was consacred to the RNAS, Osprey gives us with that new book a detailed look of their enemies of the German Marine Jagdstaffeln, but also of the Austrian, Italian and Greek naval units and aces. First part of the book is about German units and aces, followed by Austrian and finally the allied.

There are seven chapters and appendices:

• Chapter I: Sky and sea depicts the general situation of German marine units.
• Chapter II: Zeebrugge Hornet’s nest is consacred on the units and aces that operated from Zeebrugge including pilots like Bönisch, Meyer, Kaster and the best of all: Christiansen.
• Chapter III: The Marine Feld Jastas 31 depicts other units of the Kriegsmarine
• Chapter IV: Detached Duty tells the history of two German naval pilots that achieved the status of ace being detached with Jagdstaffeln of the Luftstreitskräfte
• Chapter V: Aces over the Baltic is consacred to the Russian pilots
• Chapter VI: Action over the Adriatic tells the fights between Austrians and Italians
• Chapter VII: Allies in Camel depicts the use of the Camel with some navy units of Allies
• Appendices: list the German naval aces and gives the explanations about the color drawings included in the book.

As always, there are drawings included in the book but also lots of interesting photos (and as always, I must say many of those photos were unknown from me!)

If you own the first book, you must have the second. If not, I’m sure that owning this one will incitate you to buy the first one…

Highly recommended anyway!!! Please find out your sample here!!

Daniel Clamot

Sample publication provided by Osprey

But do you know your Spitfire from your Messerschmitt Bf 109, or what a B-52 looks like? Do you know how heavy the F-4 Phantom II is, or how quickly it can fly?

The Plane Spotter’s Guide uses detailed profile artwork to illustrate and aid recognition of 70 iconic aircrafts, and provides specification boxes to give all the technical details.

That short-sized book is an excellent resume about the evolution of warplanes. It contains a selection going from WWI aircrafts to modern ones.

Each plane(or family of planes: Albatros D.III and D.V are mixed in one presentation only) is depicted in three pages. For each plane, you have a short historical presentation, technical datas and two splendid drawings of profiles from actual aircrafts.

The 70 aircrafts selected in the book are representative of the materials used during the different periods since WWI: Sopwith Pup, Nieuport 17, Albatros D.III, Spad VII, Sopwith Camel, RAF SE 5/5A, Fokker Dr I, Fokker D.VII, Polikarpov I-16, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Bristol Blenheim, Consolidated PBY Catalina, Messerschmitt Bf 109, Gloster Gladiator, Hawker Hurricane, Junkers Ju 87, Supermarine Spitfire, Short Sunderland, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Fiat CR.42 Falco, Junkers Ju 88, Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, North American B-25 Mitchell, Grumman F4F Wildcat, Douglas SDB Dauntless, Bristol Beaufighter, de Havilland Mosquito, Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Martin B-26 Marauder, Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Hawker Typhoon, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien, Macchi C.202 Folgore, North American P-51 Mustang, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger, Vought F4U Corsair, Avro Lancaster, Lavochkin La-5/7, Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Messerschmitt Me 262, Yakovlev Yak-3, Mikoyan MiG-15, North American F-86 Sabre, Martin B-57 Canberra, North American F-100 Suoer Sabre, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, Handley Page Victor, Avro Vulcan, Vought F-8 Crusader, Republic F-105 Thunderchief, Mikoyan MiG-21, Mc Donnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Dassault Mirage III, Lockheed SR-71, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, Mc Donnell Douglas F-15 eagle/Strike eagle, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mc Donnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, MC Donnelle Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, Rockwell B-1B Lancer.

On my own point-of-view, I find this is an excellent selection. Fighters are of course well represented but there are also bombers, ground attack aircrafts and so on.

Osprey’s Plane Spotter’s Guide is an interesting introductory-level book about warplanes that takes no place and can be transported everywhere. Nice idea! Get your sample here!

…To be noted also that such an e-book about tanks is available from Osprey.

Daniel Clamot

Special thanks to Osprey for sample publication

The Duel volume 41 B-24 Liberator vs. Ki-43 Oscar describes the story of these two aeroplanes in combat over China and Burma in 1943. The first combat encounter took place on January 26, 1943 when B-24s from the 493th BS/7th BG were intercepted by Ki-43s from the 50th Sentai but the Ki-43 did not score against this bomber until March 13. The B-24 had long range and heavy bomb load but on the other hand it was not particularly resistant to battle damage. The Ki-43 had excellent maneuverability but poor armament so a single Ki-43 could hardly do anything against B-24, so only a group attack with repeated firing runs could be effective.

The book is excellent in presenting both types by first analyzing each type and the continuing with the overall combat situation, prominent pilots who flew them, and combat itself. And all of this is very well illustrated by a number of archival images, maps and excellent graphics and illustrations. In total B-24 lost 31 machine and Ki-43 lost 20 machines.  Book info: Paperback; April 2012; 80 pages; ISBN: 9781849087025

This book provides a nice insight about the combat as well technical aspects of the aircraft types and it is recommended! You can get your book here!

Srecko Bradic

Big thanks to Osprey for sample publication

Cnaeus Pompeus Magnus (= “The Great”) was a very complex character and a kind of enigma. He is mostly known through what Caius Julius Caesar has written about him – But Caesar, even if a military genius, was enemy of Pompey…

The big interest of Osprey book is that the author Nic Fields tell us the story of Pompey based not only on Caesar diaries, but also on all the historical sources that can be found!

Cnaeus Pompeus Magnus was first a conqueror. Partisan of Sulla, he managed to extend the frontier of the Republic of Rome. The book describes his exploits but also his complex personality and life – Amongst other facts, he married Iulia, the beloved daughter of Caesar.

The men against who he fought are  also described, like Sertorius and Mithridates – But not especially Caesar because this last one is the subject of another book in the “Command” series.

Richly illustrated with photos of geographical locations an some nice drawings made by Peter Dennis, the book is a real pleasure to read. I have learned many things about a man who was a conqueror and was in his young time referred as the “Alexander The Great of Rome”.

Well done; that book is a must that is warmly recommended to everyone having interest for the Ancients period. Get your sample here!

Daniel Clamot

Sample publication is provided by Osprey

This words from 176-victory Luftwaffe ace Johannes Steinhoff is the best introduction to the new Osprey’s book ‘Luftwaffe Viermot Aces 1942-45’ greatly written by Robert Forsyth. Subject bring great info into massive air war held in the Europe sky in WW2 and bravely effort of both side to give their best. Term Viermot is the term for the four engined bomber. Book is focused on the war on West so inside is not included info about the claims over Soviet four engined bombers Pe-2. Short Stirling was the first West four engine bomber send into action against German Reich but the real war start after deployment of US strategic force in 1943 in UK.

Book is made in excellent style- it is composed from the many personal story’s of airman who was credited as Viermot aces, assembled with various unit organization data as well general situation. This very good approach to the subject provide maximum valuable info to the reader. Most of the book is dedicated to the German single engine units and aces but last third of the book give also twin engine fighters operations and there is included actions of Messerschmitt Bf110, Me210 and 410 and most dangerous at all- Me262.

With descriptions of the various tactics used in the fight against formations of bombers, there is also given valuable info about the development of the armament with intention to make attacks more effective. From all of this best proven was rockets R4M used by Me262 fighter.

From the lovely art on the cover, nice text, great images and color profiles up to the last pages with appendices, book is made as excellent source of info of one very harsh war and it is very recommended!!! Book is soft cover, 96 pages, ISBN 978-1-84908-438-3 and it is no. 101 title from the Aircraft of the Aces series. Direct by this book here!

Srecko Bradic

Thanks to Osprey for sample publication

With its fixed, spatted undercarriage and external dive brakes, the D3A possessed a superficial resemblance to that other great dive-bomber in the Axis arsenal, the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka and, as reflected in a wartime Allied ditty, ‘Val’ was indeed ‘the Stuka’s pal’.

First entering service in China in late 1939, the 99 Kanbaku figured prominently in all the great carrier battles of the IJN during the first full year in the Pacific War, from Pearl Harbor through the Indian Ocean to Coral Sea and Midway. Such were the finely honed skills of its crew that, during the Indian Ocean operation of April 1942, the 99 Kanbaku scored the highest hit ratio in combat of any dive-bomber in history by sinking the Royal Navy’s heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall and Dorsetshire and the light carrier HMS Hermes.

Full of pictures of the aircraft but also the pilots and the results of Val attacks, this book is divide  into eight chapters + Appendices:

–          Chapter 1: Dive-bombing in the IJN

–          Chapter 2: China – First blood

–          Chapter 3: Prelude to Pearl Harbor

–          Chapter 4: ‘To-Ra, To-Ra, To-Ra’

–          Chapter 5: Southern advance

–          Chapter 6: Zenith in the Indian Ocean

–          Chapter 7: Coral Sea – The Carriers clash

–          Chapter 8: Midway and the Aleutians

–          Appendices: colours plates commentary + Index.

In the middle of the book you will find 5 pages with 3 color profiles of ‘Vals’ on each.

As always, Osprey is doing great job with this book that is an unavoidable source of documentation not only for modelers but also for everyone interested by the IJN, the WWII and the combats in the Pacific. Get your sample book here!

Daniel Clamot 

Special thanks to Osprey for sample publication

Excellent story about the MiG-3 aces was published in the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces nr.102, MiG-3 Aces of the World War 2. Authors are well known researchers Dmitriy Khazanov and Aleksander Medved, well known by many of their articles and book. Book is paperback with 96 pages, ISBN: 9781849084420. In excellent narrative style authors described type from the very start, its development and deployment until the last days of operations. Faced with problems like less experienced pilots, low performance at low level, problems with spare parts, the type did not last too long on service and new fighters like those designed by Yak, have replace it in service. Interesting that long service it have on Far East but in the moment of attack on Japan in August 1945, no MiG-3 fighter was in operational service. What is very interesting is that on last pages was provided full list of Soviet aces on MiG-3 and on mid pages was given several pages with excellent color profiles.

Packed with great info, archive images, charts and color art, this book is excellent source of info and great tribute to those who bravely fight for their motherland!!! You can buy book direct here!

Srecko Bradic

Thanks to Osprey for sample book

Book is standard 250 x 180 mm size, soft cover, full color publication with total of 80 pages inside. Authors of the book are well known Dmitriy Khazanov and Aleksander Medved. Same book layout is very interesting, attractive and content is very good balanced and organized. This book can be read in quick view and this is thanks to the great number of diagram, chapters, separate block with various descriptions and all excellent illustrated which give clear view on the subject. Personally I prefer Chronology pages in the book first pages and this is great to get all vital points about the war as well use of both fighters in combat.

There is much differences in the history of both types. La-5 and 7 present long life of fighter development which start with LaGG-1 fighter, nice layout but deadly trap for its pilot due to the inferior flying performances. Many of them fell as victims from German fighters. Focke Wulf 190 present from the very start full blood fighter and it present bad surprise for all who met it in combat. Its long development introduce use as fighter bomber and ground attack machine with final adaptation of use in line engine. First unit to be operational on East Front with Fw190 was I./JG 51 and they start its operations at 6. September 1942, one moment after introducing of the Lavockin new fighter, La-5. La-5 was adopted LaGG fighter to use radial engine and this change prove to be very successful as well fighter have much improved performance. It was noticed very soon in the direct fight against German fighter. This machine was subject of many additional upgrades and final design lead to La-7, without doubt, Soviet best fighter in WW2 and also one of the best WW2 fighters.

Very nice book and I read it with great pleasure! With all of its information it is for sure interesting to have it and I warmly recommend it! Direct buy here!

Srecko Bradic

Sample book is provided by Suzannah Brooksbank, Marketing Administrator, Osprey Group