Following WWI, the victors put almost draconian restrictions on Germany and Austria-Hungary including a loss of territory and breaking up the Austro-Hungarian empire. Similar issues occurred with the Ottoman Empire that led to its demise and the formation of Turkey.

Like Germany, Hungary was severely limited by the size and composition of its military. Frankly, considering how much territory was lost, Hungary would initially have issues building up a military. As in Germany, the Hungarians secretly built up a military, especially when it came to aviation. It built up its bomber fleet with 'civilian' aircraft. As Hungary's aviation manufacturing was almost non-existent, it relied on those nations that would sell them aircraft. This meant Italy, Netherlands, and Germany, though Germany was limiting their sales to the less than optimal aircraft.

That wasn't the case with Italy as their aircraft were more focused on having aircraft that were rugged and usable in parts of their growing empire rather than having cutting edge types. The Dutch, Fokker to be specific, simply wanted to sell aircraft and most of what went to Hungary were dedicated civil types. For this reason, the majority of Hungary's early offensive aircraft were dual purpose recce/attack types. They all carried large civil registration and were not camouflaged at all. That changed when Hungary was able to procure Junkers Ju-86 aircraft.

The Ju-86 was undoubtedly the most potent of Hungary's pre-war bombers and were purchased without engines or armament as the Germans would not sell them BMW radials as the Hungarians wanted. Instead they were powered by license built French Gnome-Rhone engines. So important was the Ju-86 to Hungary's revised military aviation that it takes up a considerable amount of this book.

The book starts with a treatise on color. This includes the usual on why it was difficult to determine colors from B&W photos as well as information from various paint manufacturers that were extant during this period of time. There is also a short history of Hungary after WWI and then covers each and every type that was purchased along as what colors were used on the aircraft. There are a ton of images along with large profiles based on those images. The camo and markings section is especially large when it comes to the Ju-86 as it wore a variety of shades and markings. In all, it makes into a super reference on a subject that has not been well covered and is highly recommended for its completeness. 

July 2026

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