The book opens up with a nice history on the the
development of the Blenheim that not only includes a history but a rundown on
the different variants, including prototypes. This section also includes the use
of the airplane by foreign air arms. We then go into a Technical description of the aircraft
that is divided into segments such as Fuselage, Undercarriage, Engine, Wings and
so on. Each one of these sections has drawings from the tech manuals, as well as
period
photos as well as images taken from various extant airframes. This makes up a
goodly portion of the book and is just what the AMS crowd wants.
Next major section is on the evolution of the Blenheim.
This includes art work on Prototype, Production, and Planned variants. Here we
get to see the changes made to the aircraft from the initial prototype on
through the production run and even into versions that did not go past the test
phase.
A section I particularly enjoyed was that of camouflage
and markings. This is one that is probably to be well sourced by modelers. The
Blenheim went through an amazing number of changes in markings and as you might
imagine, even when things were 'standardized', there were differences. Those
markings used by foreign air arms are also included. This is then followed by
several pages full of some great color profiles, surely enough to whet one's
appetite for the recently released Airfix 1/72 Mk.I.
The last section includes a listing of kits, decals,
accessories and book references for the Whirlwind. As you might surmise, there
have not been a ton of Blenheim kits, most of them being variations on the theme
and many of the kits no longer available.
In all, it is another superb effort from Valiant Wings
and a book that easily gets my highest recommendation. It is an absolute must
for those who are planning on building one of the various kits. I would guess
that this one will sell out rather quickly so best to get in your order while it
is still available.
December 2014
For more on Valiant Wings, including getting this book, visit
www.valiant-wings.co.uk. Thank you
for the review copy.
If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please
contact
me or see other details in the Note to
Contributors.
The
next edition of Valiant Wings' Airframe Album series is for the Bristol
Blenheim. Though it was in service in rather considerable numbers, it just does
not get the press than other British bombers seem to have. Truth be told, it was
a world beater in 1936 and by the time the war started in late 1939, it was
bordering on obsolesce. Though not really effective in Western Europe, it was
able to do fairly well in secondary theaters and operating in Coastal Command,
where it would not face much in the way of opposition.