This is #6 in Isradecal Publications' book line-up and covers the Gloster Meteor in Israeli Air Force service. As many of you realize, the new state of Israel was hard pressed to get modern military equipment during its first decade or so of existence. It wasn't from a lack of funding, but from political machinations of many of the major powers, including the United States that prevented sales of up-to-date weaponry to Israel. So it was when it came to jet fighters.

The IAF had already signed a contract with Canadair for Sabres and planes destined for Israel were coming off the assembly line when the US put a stop to it, thanks to pressure from other quarters to not supply Israel with modern jets. This is something that is quite different from how it is today with much of Israel's military air power coming from US factories. But that is now and back then, jets were needed. A deal was made with the British to supply Gloster Meteors and as part of that deal, the same planes had to be delivered to their adversaries in Syria and Egypt. Well, Meteors were better than nothing and really, in the early/mid 1950s, still potent aircraft.

This book tells the story of the aircraft in IAF service. The types that were used, the camouflage they carried and how they did in warfare. This extents to what happened to the various airframes once they left front line service and where many of them are now. Author Ra'anan Weiss has done an excellent job of telling what is really a most interesting story on an aircraft that many of us do not equate with the IAF. Chock full of quality black and white as well as color photos, this is a book that will both entertain and inform. A book that is the sort of things that gets the interest going with most modelers to seek out a kit and markings. A book that I can easily recommend to you as a great read and reference.

Thanks to IsraDecal Publications for the review book. You can get yours direct from the hyperlink to the left or from your favorite bookseller. If you don't see it, ask them to order it for you.

November 2008

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