Air Power Editions' Ritterkreuzträger 1939-45 #1
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Title: |
Ritterkreuzträger 1939-45 #1: Hans-Joachim Marseille |
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Author: |
James H. Kitchens III & John R. Beaman Jr, profiles by Tom Tullis |
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Publisher |
Airpower Editions |
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Price |
£16.99 MSRP |
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Reviewer: |
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| Notes: | ISBN 978-0-9555977-0-1, A4 format, 64 pages, card covers. |
Another
book by Air Power Editions is the first in a series on the men and planes
of famous aces. None the better to start with than Hans-Joachim Marseille,
probably one of the five best know German aces of the war. Certainly none
with a better sense of marksmanship and one who amassed an amazing score
in relatively few operational missions. Like many, his life ended in
battle, but this time due to mechanical failure and not bullets.
In this book, a rather unique look at both the ace, but more his aircraft. The authors have attempted to provide everything that is known about Marseille's aircraft from the time he first entered combat with 1.(J)/LG 2 until his death while flying with 3./JG 27. In every case, all that is positively known about each of his aircraft is presented. This includes a full bibliography of sources. If a photo of the aircraft in question only shows a portion of the plane, that that is all that is provided in the color profile. All of the unique characteristics known of each plane is provided. This includes colors, modifications to the plane and if it was a long-lasting aircraft, any changes in markings over time. Conversely, if little or nothing can be proved concerning an aircraft, then no profile is provided and what little is known or speculated by others is listed.
The authors want to provide only positively substantiated information regarding each aircraft and in that they have succeeded. This is a real boon to modelers who are always guessing about color, markings, and equipment. Now there is no guesswork needed as all the information to date is here in one book. It is a brilliant way to present the subject and one I am positive you will appreciate once you start reading. Never has there been such meticulous research done on the aircraft of an ace and I for one am very much looking forward to the next edition. It is a book that you can buy with the surety that you are getting the very best.
Review book courtesy of Airpower Editions. Get yours at www.aviation-bookshop.com or your local bookshop.
March 2008
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