Squadrons #18: The Kittyhawk Mk. II

As you may be aware, the Squadrons series from RAF-in -Combat is geared towards the lesser used types. You may well be wondering how a P-40 could be considered a minor player with the RAF. Well it realy isn't, but the Kittyhawk II is. This is the equivalent of the USAAF's P-40F/L, the Merlin powered variant.

Such was the need for these planes in the USAAF, that the RAF did not get all they ordered. The result of this was insufficient planes to equip more than two units. Both of those squadrons are covered in great detail using, among many things, squadron daily logs as well as stories from those who flew the planes. Needless to say, these planes did most of their operational service in North Africa with some continuing on for the Italian Campaign, but they were replaced after about a year with later versions of the P-40. During their tenure, they were actually rather successful in air to air combat. P-40s were pretty good at low level and even these Merlin powered planes, which could operate at higher altitudes, did most of their war-fighting at lower levels. 

This book is like others in the series in that we are provided a brief history of the type along with its operational use during WWII. This means a well researched history of the type's use with the various squadrons that flew the plane. In line with others in this series there are some super photos and great full color profiles. Some of these planes went on to provide advanced fighter trainers with the Free French. The stats section is what you've come to expect from this series, making it a superb reference book and one worth having on hand.

February 2017

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved.

Review book courtesy of www.raf-in-combat.com. Visit them for other great titles. You can get this one at this link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Book Index

Back to the Main Page