The best compliment I can give this book is that the models displayed in it are so good that, when they are PhotoShopped into “realistic” in-flight and on-the-ground shots, they do not look like models, but rather like good color photos of the original. 

     One of the things I dislike the most in “how-to” books and magazines about modeling is when the models used as illustration are pedestrian in their creation.  To me, a model used in these contexts is supposed to inspire in me a desire to do something similar, and to challenge me to increase my skill level and technical competency to do so.  To put my wish for the content of these kinds of publications in one word, it is: Inspirational. 

     If you too are seeking inspiration, you won’t be disappointed by the models whose construction is chronicled here.  Warning, the author - Roy Sutherland - is a personal friend of mine, so I came to the book expecting to see inspiring work since that has been the result of every one of his models I have ever seen “in person.”  Roy’s career in modeling for the movies has always been apparent in his attention to details and demanding desire to create realism.  In this book, he “shares the secrets” of how he has created these small masterpieces. 

      Another friend, Chris Bucholtz, provides an excellent thumbnail history of the airplane in its various roles, a definitive list of all the variants of the Mosquito ever produced, a truly definitive list of aftermarket model accessories and decals, and a good overview of the kits ever released of the “wooden wonder.”  (I have only one small niggling  complaint - which has absolutely nothing to do with the overall quality of this section - but as an Auld Phart who can remember exactly the situation in which I purchased my first Monogram Mosquito, I can say with authority that the kit was not released in the year claimed here; being someone who wasn’t alive yet on that date, Chris can be excused on this.) 

      The projects described in the book go from “basic,” through “intermediate” to “advanced” to “master” in terms of skill level and.  At the “basic” level is a 1/48 Tamiya B. Mk. IV with some minor modification with aftermarket parts done by Michael Braun, and three projects by Roy: an “intermediate” conversion of the 1/72 Tamiya F.B. Mk.VI to a “thimble-nose” N.F. XII; an “advanced” modification and kit-bash of a 1/48 Tamiya B. Mk.IV to the P.R. XVI with Merlin 60-series cowlings; and finally a “master” creation of an N.F. XIX that was “toasted” by flying through the fireball of its victim, with the result that the paint and markings on the fuselage and inner wings and tail have been flared-off to reveal the wood construction, along with the burning-off of the fabric covering on the rudder.

      All of these projects have a plethora of photographs to demonstrate the detail work, along with well-written descriptions of the manner in which the various parts of the project were created.  A modeler of average ability could in fact easily start with the first of these projects and move on through each of the rest in turn with a resulting vast expansion of skill and ability.

      In addition to the projects, there is a gallery of Mosquito modelers by other friends of Roy, including a 1/72 B. Mk.IV modified to become W4050, the prototype, by Scott Bregi; a 1/72 N.F.II by Paul Rogers; a 1/72 RAAF F.B.VI by Mark Robson; the well-known “EG-T” of 487 Squadron in 1/48 F.B.VI by Chris Wauchop; The well-known F.B.VI “NE-D” from the Banff Strike Wing in 1/72 by Chuck Betz; a 1/72 F.B.VI converted to a T.Mk.III by Lee Coll; and lastly a 1/72 F.B.VI modified to the well-known F.B.XVIII, NT225 “O”, by Chris Bucholtz.  All are inspirational.

      The best thing I can say about this book is that I thought I had “built the Mossie to death” prior to reading this, and now I am eyeing two of the Mossies in my collection for a strip-down and re-do, and wondering if I have the painting skills to try “toasting” a Mosquito as Roy did.

      This is an excellent book and highly recommended for anyone who likes the Mosquito. 

Thanks to Osprey for the review copy - www.ospreypublishing.com

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