Like many who build WW II models, I have a fascination with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. This was a period of time where the British had interesting camouflage before they went to the green/grey camouflage scheme and most of their aircraft looked (to me) boringly the same.

Let me give you the specifics on the book before going into any detail. It is soft cover, 92 pages, A4 format. The inside of the front and rear covers have color photos of various relics from that period. Of the 92 pages, 44 of them are devoted to very well done profiles done by Peter Scott that show the changes in camo and markings as depicted in the various chapters. There are 44 pages of profiles, enough to satisfy most modelers. 

The book is quite similar to the Monogram titles on USN and USAAC camouflage. This is a bit of a scholarly book that cites official documents to show the continuing changes and confusion regarding RAF camouflage during this time. However, it is also very readable. The author has done something that is rather rare in much of current enthusiast writing, he has gone and gathered together primary sources for his material rather than just repeat what has been done by others! This not only brings to light some very interesting material, but helps to put to rest a few inaccuracies regarding camouflage and markings.

Let me just run through the chapter headings for you to show what information is in the book.

• Development of camouflage schemes: Feb 33 to April 40

• Development of ID markings: Aug 14 to April 40

• Shades of Sky: Nov 36 to April 40

• Types S: Nov 39 to April 40

• Dynamic changes: May to June 40

• Duck Egg Blue: May to December 40

• Camo and markings policy: Summer 40

• At the sharp end: Sep to December 40

• Exceptions to the rule: Sep 39 to December 40

• Materials: 1939-40

• Colors

As you can see, a well planned, well edited and thoughtful publication. There are more in the series, all dealing with British subjects, as it appropriate for a British based publisher. If I had one complaint it is that the covers are rather flimsy and more like a magazine. While I would have preferred a much stiffer cover or even a hardback, I understand that these covers are now becoming the trend in the UK. While not all in the series may be of interest, I can highly recommend this volume.

This book courtesy of the ever empty wallet of the editor!

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