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Arado Ar-196 Kagero Monograph No 45 Having recently reviewed the new Revell 1:32 Ar-106B kit, it was a pleasant surprise when this book arrived in the post form Casemate UK, although it might have been better had it arrived before I reviewed the kit. That said, the single float Ar-196B prototypes only get a slight mention at the beginning of the book and in a couple of the drawings whereas the rest is taken up with the Ar-196A. The full history of this popular aircraft is told through the text and the masses of period photographs in the seventy seven pages, from the prototypes, assembly lines, construction, uses, both from shore bases and capitol ships in all theatres. The most interesting photographs for me are the ones from the Scharnhorst and the pocket battleships of the Deutschland class. The next twelve pages contain line drawings and diagrams of the aircrafts structure, equipment and the rigging of the floats, including those with single main floats. Following the line drawings there are eight pages of profile plans covering the A and B models with annotations describing the differences, followed by six pages of colour plates along with two on the back cover, including an interesting one in Japanese markings. Conclusion Not only was the Arado Ar-196 one of the most popular floatplanes during the war, but this popularity has endured with like minded modellers and historians alike. The aircraft just look right and apparently it flew as well as it looked. The information contained in this book is superb, being very well researched and with the use of those wonderful period photographs makes for a fascinating read as well as a source of inspiration. It will certainly come in handy when you get one of Revells 1:32 kits on the workbench, particularly if you’re going to add all those details you didn’t know about, but now you do, you will want to add. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Junkers Ju-88 Volume II Kagero Monographs No 59 3D Edition Having reviewed the first volume on the Ju-88 HERE i though that this volume would cover other variants, it seems I was wrong. Whereas the last volume was mostly about the development and issuing of aircraft to squadrons, this volume deals with the aircrafts participation from the phoney war, 3rd September 1939 up to the end of the fighting in France in June 1940. It seems we’re due several more volumes on the Ju-88 in the future. That said it is still a very good book, with lots of information on the actions in which the aircraft was used, losses and general info on the maintenance and servicing at the time. The text, which takes up sixty seven pages of the book, is accompanied by lots of period photographs from Dunkirk to Norway and everything in-between. The rest of the book is filled with the fabulous 3D drawings that Kagero have become noted for, with some real close up detail of many of the aircrafts equipment and fittings. It is these drawings that will probably be of most use to the modeller in helping get the most detail into a model, although the photographs can also help in working out aircraft codes, area of use and the dates in determining to model a particular aircraft. Conclusion The history of the Ju-88 is continued and expanded upon in this volume which, when accompanied with the photographs and 3D drawings makes this book another must have for the Luftwaffe historian and modeller alike. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Junkers Ju-88 Kagero Monographs No 57 3D Edition The Junkers Ju-88 really doesnt need any introduction, used throughout the war on all fronts and a multitude of different roles. This book concentrates with the design and production of the bomber/dive-bomber version up to the point of issuing the aircraft to the Luftwaffe, the other versions will probably be covered in volume two. This volume is really two books in one, with the first half, (well, sixty eight pages), covering the history of Junkers, design of the Ju-88and production of the prototypes and production machines. It is very interesting for the modeller in that there are plenty of period photographs with panels open/removed showing the construction of the fuselage and wings, close ups of the undercarriage, engines and some really good photos of the interior. The text that accompanies the photographs is very in-depth and tells of the story of the Ju-88 from the ground up including all the political intrigue and technical points told through the transcripts of interviews and reports, along with how the aircraft changed over the course of the design and prototype phases. Whilst the photographs are all in monochrome, the text also includes information on what colours were used on and in the aircraft which is very helpful. The next forty nine pages are filled with detailed 3D artwork of much of the equipment fitted to the aircraft. These include the Revi gunsight which was used for dive bombing, the radio sets, individually and as fitted to the rear bulkhead of the cockpit where the rear gunner/Navigator sat. The cockpit and nose framing is quite interesting as there are some fittings and fixtures not normally shown and could quite easily be scratch built, particularly if youre building the big 1:32 Revell kit. The machine gun mountings both in the cockpit and the lower gondola, along with the machine guns themselves are also included. Conclusion The history of the Ju-88s design is particularly well told in this book which, when accompanied by so many useful and interesting pictures makes this a must read. It will make a very useful reference book for the modeller as you get some superb photographs of the interior and structure that it could provide much need inspiration to go that little bit further with eh details of the next build. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of