This is #20 in their mini Top Colors series and covers eight aircraft, all Bf-109s or FW-190As. It is the first I've seen of this series and I have to say it is a great idea. It is also a book that is a bit difficult to categorize. Is it a book with a huge decal sheet or a huge decal sheet that has the world's largest  color and markings guide?

Regardless, the art work is superb, with the right and left side profiles filling one page. The other has upper plan view with the underside of the wings alone to show paint and markings. Each one of these subjects is based on photos and Kagero provide the references for the origin of these markings. Naturally, there is some conjecture involved, especially where the images are not complete, but they are based on the norms of the unit in question and are as accurate as they can be.

Of the eight subjects, four are Bf-109Gs from JG 11, JG 300 and JG 1. Three of these are standard G-6s while the second JG 300 plane is a G-14/AS. The FW-190As are from JG 11, JG 1 and JG 300. Two of them are A-7 versions while the other two are A-8s.

To modelers, a highlight of the book is a superbly printed decal sheet that offers the unique markings for each subject in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales. Fortunately for us all, at this time in the hobby's development, there are quality kits of nearly all these planes available. Only the G-14/AS may require some work to duplicate. As far as I know, and feel free to correct me, only Fujimi does this variant in their 1/48 line-up, though I'd be surprised if Fine Molds did not have one in their extensive 1/72 line up. The sheet itself is printed by Cartograf so you know that you are getting one of the best around.

In all, it is a great offering and one that Luftwaffe fans should not pass up.

Review book courtesy of the fine folks at Kagero. Visit them for more books.

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