This latest edition in the Polish Wings series concentrates on those aircraft left behind by the departing Luftwaffe at the end of the war. Not surprisingly, the Soviets grabbed up what they could of combat aircraft and sprited them away or impressed them into Soviet units. No need to leave armed aircraft that could be used to free Poland from the Soviet fist. Several badly wrecked combat types were left and either scrapped or pieced together for display, such as the Bf-109G that is currently flying in Poland after decades of restoration.

Needless to say, this left little for the new Poland to use. However, there were enough secondary types not grabbed by the Russians to be rebuilt, albeit at a rather leisurely pace, and put into service in some way or another. This book tells the stories of those aircraft.

Probably the most prominent was the Fieseler Fi-156 'Storch'. A good dozen were eventually to take to the air, the last of these in the early 1950s with the final planes being struck off in the early 1960s. There were trainers such as the FW-44 and He-72. Also flying were examples of the Bf-108, Bu-181, FW-58, Kl-35 and others. In addition to the powered aircraft, a whole raft of gliders were used by the various sports clubs.

The book contains superb photographs of all these aircraft as well as excellent color profiles of each one that is depicted in a photo. There are also images of the many wrecked types left behind immediately post war, something that many of us find interesting and can inspire a model build or two.

This is another excellent all English version of Stratus' continuing series on Polish aircraft. A book that is pure enjoyment to read and one that I know you will find as much as delight as did I. Highly recommended. 

October 2008

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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