Few people outside the UK realize that the Fleet Air Arm didn't really come into being until the eve of war in mid 1939. Before that, it was a part of the RAF. As you can imagine, it wasn't given very high priority in terms of equipment and so entered WWII with obsolescent aircraft with its most potent fighter being the Sea Gladiator.

Things had to change and earlier a design for a modern fleet fighter/reconnaissance aircraft was on the boards. It evolved into the Fulmar. The first production Fulmar I flew in January of 1940 and by 1941 was in fleet service, participating in a number of important actions. By the next year, it was obvious that the Fulmar was not quite up to specs against enemy aircraft and so was slowly replaced by other types while awaiting its replacement, the Firefly.

The 4plus book covers all the variants including the Night Fighter and Target Tug aircraft. There is a well done historical overview along with a good description of aircraft systems and other technical details. The images chosen are very well done and properly clear. As you'd expect, there are superb plans of the Fulmar with all of the differences between types shown.

It is further enhanced by crisp close-up photos based on the lone extant aircraft a very early Fulmar I that has been made up to look like a Fulmar II. I only hope model makers realize that this airframe is not totally accurate and use this book as a reference before cutting molds!

There are also two pages of profiles as well as a section on weapons and camouflage/markings.

Overall, this is a superb book that is both an interesting read and a most complete modeler's reference. One that I can recommend to you without reservation. Your local stockist or hobby shop should be able to order this for you.

Review copy courtesy of 4+. In the US, contact 4+ N.A., 855  Bebout Road, Venetia PA  15367

E-mail: x4plus@fyi.net TEL/FAX: 724 941 8755. To see the full line visit www.4pluspublications.com

November 2006

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 325,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.