Ken Merrick and Eddie Creek are two names that Luftwaffe color enthusiasts have learned to trust over the last several decades since their ground-breaking books were published by Kookaburra seeming so long ago.

They recently completed two volumes on Luftwaffe camouflage and markings, incorporating all the new material that has been discovered since those initial books. Those two volumes have been huge sellers and the initial one sold out quite quickly with the second one doing equally as well.  Adding author Brett Green to the group, they have now released the first companion volume to that series in Photo Archive 1.

This book is subdivided into several sections concerning day fighters, night fighters, ground attack, bomber, maritime, reconnaissance, training and civil aircraft. A section on instruments and cockpit interiors is also included. This supplement is strictly photographs and somewhat detailed explanations of not only the norm but the exceptions that are provided in each image. After all, it is the exception that sparks interest amongst modelers and historians alike.

The thing I especially liked about this book is that many of these images were new to me, something that over the years has become more and more difficult to find in books on the subject. From discussions with those who are also interested in the subject, it appears that many of the families of WWII veterans who have passed away have realized that the photos in old albums have considerable value and have been taking advantage of that by selling them off at what are quite high prices. This means that many more are now available for publication and it may be that is why the large number of nice images in this book. What I found missing were any color profiles that we normally associate with Classic books. While the authors may have deemed these unneeded, it is something I have always enjoyed and would encourage them to  add these to future volumes in this series.

This is an exemplary volume that will undoubtedly sell quickly. It is one that no Luftwaffe enthusiast or modeler should do without.

September 2007

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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