This book is part of Air Doc's Modern Luftwaffe Unit History Series and covers not only JBG 43, but also its previous incarnations as LeKG 43 and JG 72 along with the aircraft that it flew. But even more so, it provides a nice history of the base at Oldenburg from its initial inception to its final use with military aircraft in the mid 1990s.

Air Doc's dual German/English books have set a very high standard for books of this type. It not only provides an excellent historical reference, but an equally outstanding photo reference and this one is no exception. For aircraft types, it starts with a look at the WWII Luftwaffe types that occupied the field during WWII. This is followed by British units during the early 1950s and finally, by the first Luftwaffe unit WsLW 10 and their T-33s during the formation of the post war air force. This is followed by the first tactical aircraft, the Sabre 5/6 of JG 72. These were replaced by the Fiat G.91 and with it a designation switch to LeKG 43. After many years of successful operations with the G.91, the Alpha Jet was chosen to replace it in the light strike role and it was the early retirement of this aircraft following the Gulf War the brought an end to the unit and to the use of the base at Oldenburg for military operations.

 The book logically divides itself into each of the sections mentioned above with the historical background followed by many pages of large, crisp photographs, most of them in full color. In addition to the aircraft flown by the unit, there are images of the various 'hacks' used to shuttle personnel and parts. Overall it is a superlative book that is well written, well designed and a delight to read. One I can recommend to you without hesitation.

April 2009

My thanks to AirDoc for the review book. You can find these at your local hobby shop and if not, ask them to order them for you. You can also order direct by e-mailing them at www.airdoc.eu

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