Title: Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Reviewer: John Brooks  Pages: 128 (64 in color) Author: Wojtek Matusiak Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications Price: $19.95 Spitfire enthusiasts - modelers and technophiles alike - will want to acquire a copy of MUSHROOM MODEL PUBLICATIONS' newest modeler- oriented monograph, SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK V by Wojtek Matusiak.  The book's 128 pages are packed with information on all the variants of this, the most numerous of all Spitfire variants (nearly 6,500 built).  I counted 126 black and white photos, 73 color shots (most of which are of the close-up detail variety) and 51 beautifully rendered color profiles. Also included are serial number lists, tables of assigned squadron users and ID letters, notes on camouflage and markings, technical drawings and 1/72 scale plans of the Mk5B.  This book will help you sort out those pesky little external differences that arose within and between the various Spit V sub-variants; and all this for a mere $19.95! The one criticism that I have of this book is that it does not adequately address all the externally visible differences between the "B" and "C" wings.  Not only was the armament rearranged and the landing gear raked 2 inches forward; the clearance bulges over the wheel wells were removed, and the landing gear doors were bulged along the axis of the gear legs.  Despite this minor failing, SPITFIRE MK V can be wholeheartedly recommended to anyone with an interest in the subject. Mushroom Models Publications is at http://www.mmpbooks.biz/main.html.

Title: Jagdgeschwader 2 ‘Richthofen’ Reviewer: Bob Gerhardt Pages: 128 Author: John Weal Publisher: Osprey Publishing Price: $19.95 Pre and early World War II aviation is a real interest of mine.  This volume covers the history of JG 2 from its very early years to the end of the World War II. JG 2 was the first Luftwaffe fighter unit to be formed after World War I. Chapter 1 covers the era from the late 1920s to the beginning of World War II in good detail.  The early war years from 1939 to 1942 are covered very well in Chapter 2.  Chapter 3 covers JG 2s garrison duties in France plus all the deployments.  Chapter 4 covers 1943 to 1945 very thinly.  Because this is a typical Osprey Book there’s a lot of information packed in one small volume, with the last few chapters being slightly too short, which is my only criticism of the book. The years 1943 to 1945 are poorly covered.  Admittedly, you can only expect so much in a thin book such as this, but if the coverage of these years were to be limited by the format, then Osprey should’ve published a second volume.  I really liked the 33 color profiles of the unit’s aircraft stretching from an Arado 65F to FW 190D-9s and BF 109 G14.  Good quality black and white photos back up the profiles’ interpretations.  I also liked the 15 colored personal and unit insignias, which are from photos contained in the book. I really enjoyed the book’s subject matter and think it’s a good value for the money.  Now I want to build one of the early 109s or 190s!  Osprey Publications is at http://www.ospreypublishing.com/.

Title: Luftwaffe Schlachtgruppen Reviewer: Rick Reinbott Book: Luftwaffe Schlachtgruppen Pages: 128 Author: John Weal Publisher: Osprey Publishing Price: $21.95 Having a particular interest in World War II ground attack aircraft, I eagerly awaited the release of this book and was not disappointed with my purchase. Chapter 1 covers the time from when Ernst Udet returned from a trip to the United States in 1931 after being amazed by a demonstration of a Curtis Hawk II biplane dive-bombing a target through the exploits of the Legion Condor in the Spanish Civil War.  It discusses how the Schlacht (ground attack) pilots used this experience to hone their skills and develop tactics for the conflict that loomed ahead.  Chapter 2 covers the Blitzkrieg of 1939 and 1940.  Chapter 3 deals with the first half of the war on the Eastern Front while Chapter 4 covers the Mediterranean theater and night operations on the Eastern Front. Chapter 5 covers the New Order of the Schlacht arm, where there was a five-fold expansion, largely brought about by re-designating all Stuka units as Schlachtgruppen.  The book concludes with Chapter 6, which provides an excellent picture of the reversal of the Reich’s fortunes as the Schlachtgruppen fly around-the-clock sorties in a desperate attempt hold back the Allied armies in the west and the Red tide in the east. The author demonstrates a great deal of knowledge about the subject matter, with specific detail being given about the various Geschwaders, Gruppen, and Staffeln and the machines they flew.  The colored profiles are very well done, and include the more well-known Hs 123, Me 109, Fw 190, Hs 129, and Ju 87 as well as lesser known aircraft like the He 51, He 46, Go 145 and others.  These will provide plenty of inspiration for future modeling projects.  I was somewhat surprised that the Fw 190 profiles did not include any F-8s with the “blown hood”, but that doesn’t detract from what is provided.  There are plenty of good photographs throughout the book as well, some being familiar but many were new to me. I highly recommend this book. Osprey Publications is at http://www.ospreypublishing.com.

Title: Vehicles of the USMC In OIF   Reviewer: Del Miller    Pages: 140   Author: David E. Harper   Publisher: Hard Corps Models   Price: $50.00 (plus $8.00 shipping)   I've seen enough reference books of just about every variety that I have few illusions about what's good and what isn't.  Part of the "good or not good" thing has to do with whether or not you're interested in the subject...of course!  So, maybe this particular subject isn't your thing.  If you're only interested in lesser-known variants of the elusive Fairey Fruitbat, this one won't do it for you.   That having been said, my considered opinion is that this is one of the finest subject/presentation pieces I have seen so far.  It is all in color.  At least three-quarters of the book's photos are full-page and hence details become immediately easy to see.  Furthermore, even the pages that have more than one photo give you details which are easily discernable.  The book deals with three vehicles common to the USMC in OIF:  The LAV-25, M1A1 Abrams, and the AAV7 variants.  Dave Harper, whose major love is USMC troops and vehicles, particularly of WW2 (his dad was a Marine in that time) and the present, took all the vehicle detail photos on his recent trips to Camp Pendleton and Lejeune in 2003 and 2005.  They are photos typical of a skilled modeler/photographer...in other words, they have what you need.  The other photos are from Iraq and have been taken by USMC troops and combat cameramen and in almost every instance the photographer if identified.  Cool!  The quality and color is superb!    If you get the impression that I'm crazy over this book, you're right.  Yes, it's pricey...but let's remember the prices of other stuff in our hobby.  This book was privately published because it was cheaper to do it that way than to go to a big publishing company. It's a limited run book, so get yours now.  David Harper is part of the VLS Team and still does his own Harper Castings stuff as well...so a little planning can get you not only the book but a chance to have it autographed as well, as Dave is just out at Moscow Mills, Missouri.   This book is fully and enthusiastically recommended!  Oh, and Dave says that he has at least 2000 photos of HUMMVs in USMC use in OIF and if the first book is any kind of success, then there will be another on the HUMMV in OIF in the future.  Hard Corps Models is at: www.hardcorpsmodels.com