One of the least researched areas of Luftwaffe operations during WWII is that of the Eismeerfront, the Scandanavian area. This was the main area of ops for both JG 5 and JG 77 throughout the war. Their main adversaries were the RAF at the beginning and later the Soviet Union. This was an area where weather played a considerable factor in operations and often there was no flying for days on end when conditions deteriorated. Yet throughout the war, the Luftwaffe did what it could to take the war to the enemy.

The authors focus on the area of Norway, Denmark and those units operating out of Northern Finland. This is a camouflage and markings book and to that extent, the authors have done a superlative job of providing that sort of information. The types covered in the book are Bf-109, FW-190 and to some extent, Bf-110 aircraft. As this wasn't exactly the primary front, units in these areas were often a little bit behind the rest of the Luftwaffe in getting the best stuff. This meant that they flew older model planes a bit longer than some and they flew types (like the Bf-109T) that were not flown elsewhere.

I have to tell you that this is the sort of book that I love. I'm a huge camo and markings fan and the authors have provided a superlative book in this regard. There is an opening section that covers the war situation in the area as well as some unit structure information, but most of the book is filled with superb photographs of aircraft and excellent profiles of many of the planes in these photos. Interpreting color from black and white images is not an easy task. The authors have done their best to provide things as they see them and give options when the exact color is not clear.

One of the things that really stood out to me were the variety of winter camouflage schemes; some of them merely scribbles of RLM 76 and other shades over standard paint work, while others were patchy  and yet others were more traditional. I also was quite surprised at the number of 109s that arrived in theater in desert camouflage schemes. This was particularly true of a number of Bf-109Fs that arrived in the summer and fall of 1942. While these schemes were usually modified to meet extant conditions, it shows that often planes were sent where needed regardless of the camouflage in which they were painted.

It is difficult not to be biased regarding a book like this. I think it is one of the best of the year and it definitely got me looking through the kit and decal stash for a 109 or 190 to build. It is a book that I give my highest recommendation and I'm sure you will as well once you start reading your copy.

December 2008

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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