The newest release from Mushroom Models Publications is a nice double issue covering two important British mid-war fighters, the Bulldog and the Gauntlet. Both of these types served during a period which many say was the most colorful in British aviation, with aircraft sporting large unit markings on the sides of the fuselages and on the upper wings. It was also a time of thrilling aerobatic displays; one crowd-pleaser being when three aircraft would perform while tied together by ropes attached to their wing struts.

The book fully covers their technical development as well as their service with the RAF and with foreign countries. A goodly number of quality period photographs are used to illustrate these sections. Both types, while obsolete by the time the war started in 1939, were able to successfully shoot down enemy aircraft, though their moments of glory were short-lived and brief.

In concert with other MMP books, this one includes nicely done drawings showing the different variants as well as extensive walk-around photo essays of extant museum aircraft. This is highlighted by outstanding color profile and three view drawings by artist Krzysztof Wolowski, making for a superb all around book on these types.

It is a book that is superbly done and most highly recommended as an excellent primer on the types and something that will be most useful to modelers, thanks to the depth of detail provided.

August 2005

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Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for providing the review copy.

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