Guideline Douglas A3D Skywarrior - Warpaint series No.112

[bootneck]

Douglas A3D Skywarrior

Warpaint Series No.112

 

 

 

This latest volume in the Warpaint series by Guideline covers the Douglas A3D Skywarrior and its variants.  The book is produced in Guideline's standard Warpaints layout with this volume being compiled and presented by Charles Stafrace.  Full colour profile illustrations are provided by Richard J. Caruana who has also included two large profile and plan diagrams to 1:72 scale.

There are 90 pages of historical content which is nicely interspersed with good quality photographs of the relevant aircraft being discussed with most of the images being in colour.  For those who are not interested in 'boring grey' machines, there are quite a few hi-vis liveries included as shown on the  page below.

 

One interesting aspect, of use to the historians and modellers alike, is the inclusion of six pages that detail the deployments of the aircraft to Carrier Air Wings and their parent carrier.  The list includes CVW designations, dates joined and left, plus Theatre of Operation (i.e.Vietnam etc.) and airframe type.

 

 

The photos that intersperse the narrative are clear and of good quality and show some unusual modifications and markings. This should please those modellers who wish to enhance their builds with something a little different from the norm. The book finishes off with a few pages of close-up views, showing detailed views of the aircraft.

 

 

There is also a page depicting the kits, decals and accessories and these details include producer, part-reference number, scale and aircraft version.  Some of the items listed are possibly not currently available but it is still a good reference for the modeller.

 

 

Two large sets of diagrams have been drawn by Richard J. Caruana to 1:72 scale.  Both sheets are printed on a single pull-out sheet, measuring 59cm x 40cm,  and provide details of the A3D-2 (early); A-3B; A-3D; EA-3B; ERA-3B and KA-3B airframes.  The view below shows a section of one of the sheets.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion
This a very interesting book and I have enjoyed reading the narratives and seeing liveries and markings that I didn't realise were in use during the A-3's timeline.  There should certainly be plenty to interest any post-war, US Navy, large jet aircraft enthusiasts with the content contained in which, in my view, is an excellent publication and highly recommended to adorn anyone's aviation/naval shelves.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

 

 

[Antoine]

 

[Dermo245]

Thanks for the review and would like to build one of these; big bird for carrier ops!

Cheers,

Dermot