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• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-24
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-24

• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-24
  Reviewed by Ray Mehlberger
  
  This is a brand new book which was first published, in Poland this year – and now comes to us, via from my friend Roger Wallsgrove at Mushroom Model Magazine, in English. By way of introduction, I am going to quote from the opening page of the book. "It is not the aim of this book to describe the full history of this famous aircraft, nor its technical specification or combat operations. You are not going to find here a detailed account of the development, with dates and analyses of why and such and such armament was fitted, or why this modification was introduced and not that one. We are not presenting a list of aircraft produced with name of factories that manufactured them. Not a word, about operational use of the Bf 109G on various fronts."
  So what is this book about?
  
  "The intention is to present, in a simple way, and mainly in drawings and photographs, the differences between all the versions of the 'Gustav'. This is intended to make it easier for modellers and historians to recognize individual versions. The photos and drawings will also make it possible to take a good look at the details of the aircraft that are often not shown elsewhere. Unfortunately, most photographs show aircraft preserved in museums, and their appearance does not always reflect the true look of a wartime aircraft. The same applies to the paint schemes of the surviving warbirds. That is why we also show painting schemes of various 'Gustav' variants, and from different periods of its long service life, in order to show various types of camouflage used on this aircraft."
  
  The above statement pretty much capsules the idea behind the book and what is included.
  The book is 9.5"î x 6.5" format. It contains 80 pages. There are 38 color photos. All of them, but one, are shots taken in and around aircraft currently in museums. The single shot is a wartime photo taken on a Luftwaffe airfield, somewhere in N. Africa. This can be determined by the paint scheme on the aircraft in this photo and the uniforms on the figures.
  There are also 56 black and white photos in the book. Lots of shots of different parts of the 'Gustav's' various types anatomy and some cockpit interior shots too.
  
  68 line drawings include scrap drawings of various aircraft parts, profiles, cutaways etc.
  The final 'icing on the cake' are the 32 color profile paintings. This book is really JAM PACKED with pictures and info. I really liked the color profile on page 29. It shows a captured Bf-109G-6 in Finnish markings. This aircraft has 3/4ths of its fuselage length, from the cannon breech bulges rearwards, painted in blue and white checker-board pattern– really unusual scheme!
  
  The book takes you from the G-1 through the G-10. It also has a couple of charts: one giving you tech data of the different marks, and the other a cross-reference chart of what weapons and special equipment were carried by what versions. A very informative book and well worth the price asked.
  
  Other, 'future releases' by Mushroom Model Magazine are a book entitled 'Werner 'Vati' Molders', by Robert Michulec and 'British WWI Aircraft in the Polish Air Force' by Tomasz J. Kopanski.
  
  I highly recommend this book to all modelers that like to build Bf-109s. It will be a valuable reference on your book shelf.
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-24
  Reviewed by Scott Van Aken
  
  From Mushroom Model Publications comes another in a series of special books. This particular book is on probably one of the most modeled WWII aircraft: the Bf-109G. The number of permutations of the G series is mind-boggling and confusing to those who are new to the study of the 109G and this book does a lot to straighten things out. Like the similar book on the 109E, this book has no pretext to being a history of the type or to offer 'war stories'. It concentrates on the difference between the subtypes an on that it does a superb job.
  
  As with the previously reviewed 109E book, this one uses museum aircraft and warbirds to illustrate a number of the various bits and pieces of the plane. It also has a number of very good illustrations from the handbook of maintenance to use to show differences. There are also period photographs that are used where applicable. In addition, there are a number of super line drawings to help you note the parts of the plane that have changed from one sub-version to the next.
  
  Unlike the 109E book, there is not a separate section of closeups. That is because of the huge number of aircraft in the G series. As a result, the book is 109G sub-types from cover to cover. It starts with the 109G-1 and continues to the G-12. A chart of the various modifications to the subtypes (Rustsatz and Umbausatz; or /R and /U as suffixes to the designations). These modifications could be made in the field (Rustsatz) or were the more involved ones done at the factory (Umbausatz).
  
  There is a final section devoted to the G-10. This is probably the most involved of the sub-types. All G-10s were rebuilt from G-6 airframes and included a number of changes and modifications to bring the planes up to nearly 109K standards. G-10s in many cases came off the assembly lines after the K models and were basically an effort to use up all available stocks of 109G parts and pieces.
  
  In addition to the superb photos and drawings, there are a number of equally well done color profiles. Whether you are new to the 109G or just looking for an easy to use guide to the differences. This is a book that belongs in your library.
  
  It is hoped that Mushroom does a guide on other semi-confusing types like the Spitfire, Fw-190, Zero, Ju-88, and Yak fighters.
  
  In case you cannot already guess, this book is highly recommended!