This latest edition in the Polish Wings series concentrates on the PWS designed trainers of the 1930s. Despite the depression, it was necessary for the Polish Air Force to partake into a modernization program in order to keep pace with other possibly hostile nations. The result of this was that by the mid 1930s, the Polish Air Force was one of the finest in the world.

While most tend to concentrate on fighters and bombers, the truth of the situation everywhere is that most of the aircraft of a country's air force is not these glamorous types, but the more mundane transport and trainer force. In this area, the PAF was in need of a sturdy and well designed trainer and so turned to PWS to provide indigenous aircraft to replace the elderly French trainers then in use.  This started on a series of designs that started out with small orders of the PWS 14, 16, and 16 bis aircraft. It culminated in a very large order for the PWS 26, an airframe that was in widespread use throughout Poland at the start of the German invasion of 1939. Many of the latter aircraft were captured and refurbished for use by the Luftwaffe, Soviets, Rumanians and Bulgarians.

In line with other books in this series, this one is full of superlative period photographs and excellent color profile drawings. I think the term "profusely illustrated" would be quite appropriate as there are photos, illustrations or both on every page.

If you have not had the opportunity to read any of this series, then you are in for a real treat. These are superbly done and the best on the subject that I have read. It is a book I can recommend to you without reservation.

July 2007

Review book courtesy of MMP Books, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books.

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