French publisher Caraktere has added a new title to its catalog, in the aviation section. After the "Encyclopedia of French combat aircraft 1939-1942", the types of French bombers complete the study on this particular air force. Before this new book, a similar subject had been covered in 2003 by the publisher of Squadron Signal. The book was a small fasicule; only 49 pages with 103 photos and 10 profiles around 8 different planes.

 This encyclopedia contains 17 bomber folders.

Folder 1- Amiot 143 : 10 pages,12 pictures,3 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 2 - Amiot 350 : 11 pages,13 pictures,2 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 3 - MB 175 : 12 pages,17 pictures,2 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 4 - MB 200 : 9 pages,17 pictures,3 profils, no drawing 

Folder 5 - MB 210 : 10 pages,13 pictures,3 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 6 - Breguet 691-695 : 11 pages,17 pictures,4 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 7 - Douglas DB7 : 16 pages,20 pictures,4 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 8 - Farman 222 : 10 pages,15 pictures,2 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 9 - Farman 223.3 : 7 pages,10 pictures,1 profils, no drawing 

Folder 10 - Farman 223.4 : 8 pages,8 pictures,2 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 11- Leo H 257-258 : 7 pages,7 pictures,0 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 12 - Leo 451 : 16 pages, 22 pictures,7 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 13 - L-Nieuport 401-411 : 9 pages,9 pictures,2 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 14 - Martin 167 F : 27 pages,35 pictures,16 profils,1 drawing 

Folder 15 - Potez 633 : 8 pages,9 pictures, no profils,1 drawing 

Folder 16 - Vought 156 F : 4 pages,6 pictures,2 profils, no drawing 

Folder 17 - SNCAO CAO-700 : 4 pages,6 pictures,1 profils, no drawing 

The most French bombers used were the Amiot, Farman,Leo and the foreign aircrafts Douglas DB-7 and Martin 167F completed the Air Force task.

Discovering the others second to none bombers is very interesting for the historians and for the modellers. The drawings are very fine on 1/144,1/100,1/72  various scales. The  colored profiles are well printed. The b/w pictures are not dark and the details are well see. The history of the aircrafts (built, operations…) allow us to understand they important.

In conclusion, this encyclopedia is indeed the twin of the one devoted to the French fighters during 1939-1942. These 2 volumes will easily find their place in your personal library.

 Jean-Paul Poisseroux

February 2021

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved.