After having been totally P.O.'d at Classic for bringing out a hardbound version of their first four volumes in this series, I'm now back on track with the fifth issue; Vol 2/1. This is the first of four sections on the Battle of Britain and I'm sure the bums at Classic will produce this volume in hardbound once the softbound ones are out. To be quite honest, I prefer a hardbound book over card covers and had I known that these would be coming out in hardbound, I'd have never subscribed and do feel cheated by the whole deal. No way I'm going to pay $90 for a book that is basically the same as what's already on my shelf. Bad move on your part Classic!

OK, now that I have had a chance to vent my feelings about it, this book is just as good as the others in the series. It has nice big pictures and lots of  profiles and unit insignia done by Thomas Tullis and Eddie J. Creek.  The really neat camouflage section in the back of the book was done by Mark Rolfe. If you have read any of the others, you'll notice a definite format to this series. There is a goodly historical section in the first part of the book that covers events of the period as well as general overview of daily combat reports. Interspersed with this are some 'there I was' bits from pilots. Most of the rest of the book is photos, profiles and more 'there I was' stories. A very good format and one that I find to be both interesting and entertaining. I especially like that the profiles are matched with photos of the actual aircraft. I'm sure that Aeromaster decal sheets will soon follow.

The last 24 pages are on Bf-109E colors and markings. In case you haven't figured it out, there were only 109Es involved in the battle on the German side as far as the Jagdwaffe was concerned. Bf-110s were Zerstorers, not Jagdflieger. This section covers the different camouflage schemes (and there are more than you'd think) as well as unit badges and gruppe/staffel markings. Tactical markings (you know the yellow and white bits) are given a section that shows the changes in them over the period in addition to what units generally used which markings.

I've said it before and will repeat it here. If you like the 109 as I do, this is a book for you. If you like stuff on the Luftwaffe, this is a book for you. If you like lots of pictures and profiles, this is a book for you. 

'Nuff said.

Review copy courtesy of me and my credit card!

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