This next release in MMP's Single series concentrates on the SBD Dauntless. The drawings are for the very first SBD-1 airframe, but the Dauntless airframe was little changed in its operational life with basically engine and armament upgrades throughout its long wartime career. The SBD was the premier American dive bomber and while used primarily at sea, was equally effective in the hands of the USMC during their campaigns in the Pacific. It was rugged, easy to repair and at times was a capable fighter. The need for a specialty dive bomber disappeared with the introduction of the fighter bomber and by the end of the 1940s, most aircraft of this type had disappeared from the inventories of military air arms.

In line with the other releases, this one is in the large A4 size with several distinct sections. There is no history of the type, but there are superbly done plans in both 1/48 and 1/72 scale. This includes fuselage and wing cross sections that are often missing from other plans. The book includes a goodly number of period photos showing both the entire aircraft and some details. A real plus to this are a number of illustrations from the airframe manuals. There are also color photos of restored aircraft so you can get an idea of the color as well as detail photos from the same source. The book finishes up with large, full page color four views of an in-service example.

It is another great addition to the MMP family of books that offers all that both the modeler and the enthusiast are seeking in a plans/detail book on a specific aircraft without going into a ton of detail. It is a book that I found to be well done and one that I can highly recommend to you.

August 2019

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Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for providing the review copy. You can get yours today at this link.

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