Probably the most effective and successful dive bomber ever produced, the Junkers Ju-87 is the subject of this new book from Mushroom Models Publications. Far from the failure that many have portrayed it in the past, the Ju-87, like any other bomber, required air cover or local air superiority in order to be able to perform its mission effectively. It was shown that when those conditions were met (which was most of the time), it was a devastating, precision weapon. When confronted by an aggressive air defense, it was a sitting duck. So the answer was not to use it where there was an aggressive air defense and so it made its mark in the early days of the war, over the deserts of North Africa, in the Balkans, and even more so in the Russian campaigns.

This latest Mushroom Models book takes a good look at the Stuka, following their normal format. First there is a full history of the type. This includes a number of quality drawings that help us differentiate between the various sub types and even the differences added during production. It then goes into a photo-essay using the extant aircraft, of which there are very few. The Chicago Museum's Ju-87R is used for the second generation Stuka and the RAF Museum's D/G for the third generation version. The A model's photo essay is completely from period sources. Fortunately, Junkers did not destroy everything in sight at the end of the war so their aircraft are fairly easy to research as these things go. In addition to the walk-around images and superb period photographs, there are page after page of full color profiles.

This all makes for a most complete book that is an excellent asset for both the historian and the modeler alike. If you have only one book on the Ju-87 for your shelves, this one should be it.

March 2008

Review book courtesy of Mushroom Models Publications.

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