Duel #11 is another aviation title and covers the P-47 Thunderbolt and the Bf-109G/K in the last two years of the war. As with some other comparisons in the series, the two combatants are not totally equal with the 109 being on the downward leg of the development spiral while the Thunderbolt is in its prime, so to speak.

Though the 109G/K was at its fastest and most heavily armed, the truth is that by 1943 it was already a 7 year old design that was full of compromises and only kept in production because there was nothing else. The P-47, however, was at its prime and though its short range, even with drop tanks, meant that its days as a bomber escort were short, especially once the P-51 became available in numbers. Neither was particularly maneuverable, but both were able to be effectively used by well trained pilots, something that the Luftwaffe had in very short numbers by this time. As a result, the tactics used by the pilots of each plane type were a bit different from each other.

In this edition, author Martin Bowman covers all the salient features of each aircraft; design and development, technical specs, strategic situation, the combatants, and a selection of combats that took place between the two. There is also a section on statistics and analysis as well as the results of the time period in question. All of this is superbly illustrated with period photos as well as technical drawings and a few charts to help things along.

In all, an excellent addition to what has become a popular series. I know you will enjoy it as much as did I.

August 2008

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