I was a bit harsh on the previous Detail and Scale book that I reviewed and it deserved it. This one makes it all better as it seems to me to have returned Detail and Scale to a worthy purchase instead of just something to have around.

The cover states 'Includes all US Skyraider Variants' and that it does. Starting with a brief history of the type, the book goes to annotate each and every of the wide variety of sub-types of the Skyraider. It includes photos of the planes in question and provides clues to the modeler as to just what is added or changed from one version to the other.

Most of the images are in black and white, but there is a super color section in the middle of the book as well as a dozen profiles. The close-up sections have some period photos, but mostly rely on the ones preserved at the US Naval Aviation Museum and the US Air Force Museum. The AD-6 in the Naval museum is particularly useful as it is totally unrestored on the inside.

What I applaud is the return to a semi-decent modelers section. It is now four pages instead of two and covers nearly all the applicable kits. I'm not sure of the usefulness of mentioning some resin sets as these items are generally impossible to find as little as a year after being produced.

Anyway, it is an excellent reference book on its own and while there are more detailed books on the Skyraider, this is perfect for those who need an all-in-one modelers reference.

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