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• Model Aircraft Monthly 2005-01 • 2013-09-28
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-09-28
• IPMS USA • 2013-09-28
• Internet Modeler • 2013-09-28
• Modeling Madness • 2013-09-28
• SAMI 01/2005 • 2013-09-28

• Model Aircraft Monthly 2005-01 • 2013-09-28
  
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-09-28
  Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman I was familiar with the Walrus, but a Stranraer? I had trouble even pronouncing it. This newest edition to Mushroom Model Magazine’s Yellow Series provides a concise overview of two aircraft that were actually closer to the core of Supermarine’s business than the Spitfire. The amphibious Walrus and the flying boat Stranrarer owe their existence not only to Supermarine’s and Frank Mitchell’s history of providing Great Britain with maritime aircraft, but also to other Commonwealth nations – Australia and Canada. After a brief introduction, the authors take up the development of the Walrus. Before the advent of radar, naval fleets required eyes in the form of spotter aircraft. As better spotter aircraft were needed, one happened to be right under the Royal Navy’s nose, the Royal Australian Air Force’s Seagull, particularly the Seagull V. The Royal Navy quickly adopted the Seagull and changed its name to Walrus. The book covers the brief life of the Walrus as spotter, dive bomber and fighter, and goes on to give an account of Walrus survivors and how to tell a Mark I from a Mark II; rivets play an important part in that. The book then addresses the second marine aircraft, the multi-engine Stranraer, the successor to the Southampton. As the case would be, the Stranraer was merely an interim aircraft until the Sunderlands came on line. If it were not for Canada, the Stranraer would be even more obscure. The heart of this book is the extensive walk-around using photographs of three restored Walruses, supplemented with vintage photographs and pictures from manuals. The Stranraer is given a similar treatment. While restored aircraft always carry the danger of incorrect restorations, I believe the authors do deal with this quite well. For example, they clearly point out that the preserved Stranraer has engines different from the original aircraft. The book is filled with excellent pictures, not only in the walk-around section, but also in the text section. There are also well done profiles, although there is one that I would question. That one is of a Walrus Mk. I that took part in Operation Torch, it is in Dark Earth and Middle-Stone with US marking. While many RAF aircraft carried US marking during Torch, it would seem odd for a maritime aircraft to be in the desert scheme. But then again, the rumors of Dark Earth and Middle-Stone Swordfish never have been put to rest. Granted these aren’t sexy aircraft, but this is a nicely done book on one little known aircraft and one virtually unknown aircraft. The large foldout drawing of both aircraft makes a nice bonus. I definitely recommend it to those who appreciate aircraft with great personalities. I have not seen the Warpaint monograph on the Walrus, so I cannot comment on how this book compares to the Warpaint book. Recommended.
• IPMS USA • 2013-09-28
  Reviewed by Paul Bradley, #35554 This latest book from Mushroom Models deals with two of Reginald Mitchell’s other designs – Supermarine was first and foremost a company that built flying boats, not fighters! The Walrus, immortalized as the Shagbat, is remembered as an air-sea rescue craft, but was designed as a ship-borne spotter. The Stranraer, named for a small Scottish port, was the last of the big biplane flying boats and served with distinction as a patrol aircraft in both the RAF and R Canadian AF during the early years of WWII. Both types served in limited civilian roles post-1945. This extensively illustrated paperback in Mushroom Models Yellow Series describes in detail the technical aspects of each type along with a brief history. In the case of the Walrus, there is a very useful section that describes in detail the differences between marks – the Stranraer was only produced in one form. The authors state that this is the first time that the Mk.II Walrus has been accurately described and illustrated, a bonus for conversion addicts. The majority of the book is made up of 65 pages of mostly good quality photos, both color and b&w, of the aircraft in great detail. These are both period and of the few remaining airframes. At the end of the book, there are 23 pages of full color profiles guaranteed to whet the appetite! One omission that I find most glaring, especially with such unusual subjects, it a lack of information on available kits, especially as Mushroom publishes a modeling magazine! For the record, the Stranraer has only once been kitted, albeit nicely, by Matchbox in 1/72 scale. The Walrus has been issued by Matchbox and Airfix in 1/72, SMER in 1/50 and Classic Airframes in 1/48, of which the latter is by far the best! In addition to the book, a nice set of pull out plans to 1/72 is included. These clearly illustrate the features of these boats and their variations. The authors are at pains to point out that previous plans of the Walrus contain many errors, though not having access to the real thing, I cannot judge how precise the plans in this book are! The text is well written and it is clear that the authors like their subject; they promise a more extensive look at these aircraft and their operational histories in the form of future books if there is enough interest. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the Stranraer has been covered in this detail, though the Walrus has been the subject of a Profile and a Warpaint. As such, this will be especially useful to those who have the Matchbox Stranraer, but also for those with one of the 4 Walrus kits. Mushroom have a nice habit of picking unusual subjects for their monographs, which pleases me no end. I can heartily recommend this book and I look forward to future releases by Mushroom!
• Internet Modeler • 2013-09-28
  reviewed By Ray Mehlberger This latest book from MMP (Mushroom Model Publications) is devoted to two classic flying boats. Both of these were designed by Reginald Mitchell, more famous for the Spitfire. The Walrus gained immortality through its role as an Air-Sea Rescue aircraft (one of the few roles it was NOT initially designed for!). The Stranraer was the last in a distinguished line of big Supermarine flying-boats. It was used extensively in Canada during and after WWII, for coastal patrol, surveying and transport. The development and technical details of both aircraft are described, putting them into their historical context in a long series of Supermarine designs. For the first time the specific details of the wooden-hulled Walrus Mk. II is described and illustrated accurately. The book is illustrated with 76 black and white photos and 90 color ones approximately. There are two 'firsts' in this new book. The first being that it is authored by two non-Poles: Roger Wallsgrove (the Editor-in-Chief of MMP) is an Englishman, while James Kightly is an ex-pat Canadian/Australian. Previous volumes in this series of aircraft books have all been by Polish authors. The second 'first' is the addition of a large (24 1/2" x 18") set of black and white line drawings, to 1/72nd scale, of the Walrus and Stranraer. There are several views of each and it is all printed on coated stock. This sheet is folded up and inserted into the book. These line drawings will be of great value to modelers. I hope this practice continues in future books. The color profiles are by Internet Modeler's Senior Editor Bob Pearson and they are excellent. Readers of Internet Modeler have enjoyed Bob's equally excellent illustrations of various aircraft in past issues of the magazine in the GALLERIA section. There are 27 of these color profile illustrations by him. These are in both military and civilian schemes. There has been precious little appear previously in print on these two aircraft. This new book will be of great value to both modelers and aircraft buffs alike. Highly recommended.
• Modeling Madness • 2013-09-28
  reviewed by Scott Van Aken Once again, the folks at Mushroom Models Magazine have delivered a book that deals with a subject yet to be properly covered by anyone else. In this case, it is two subjects; the Supermarine Walrus and Stranraer. Both of these aircraft were pretty much the last of their kind with the Stranraer being supplanted by the Short Sunderland, and the Walrus, while it was augmented by the newer Sea Otter, was eventually to give way to the helicopter. If you have read any of the previous editions from these folks, you know what to expect in terms of quality. This one is just as good and provides a bonus that the others do not have; a full set of three views in 1/72 of both aircraft. The plans are so large that they are supplied separately and for the first time, provide the sort of accuracy that has been missing in others. Since the book covers two subjects you have a historical section for each, starting with the Walrus. Then it goes into the detail stuff. We are fortunate that there are several Walrus' (Walri?) still extant in various museums and those aircraft have provided just what is needed in terms of detail photography. No part of the aircraft is missed and will be of immense value to the super detailer out there. Same goes for the Stranraer. It is fortunate that a Canadian aircraft was saved from scrap and then refurbished as an RAF version that now is in the RAF Museum at Hendon. The Stranraer has also been given the 'photo treatment' so that you can see the proper amount of detail for your next project. Finally, there are the excellent profiles of each aircraft that are so typical of this series. In all, you have a first rate reference for two rather exotic types. A book that should be on the shelves of every enthusiast.
• SAMI 01/2005 • 2013-09-28