After a year's absence, during which Start worked on a book, an advert for which is in the back of the book, edition #9 of U-Boot im Focus arrived in the post. This one has six more pages than what is normally provided and it very much feels like it when holding the magazine.

A considerable amount of the magazine (about half of it) is dedicated to the U-509. Pretty much its entire history is given as well as the various changes made to its rather interesting and unique camouflage scheme. There is a very large three page foldout in the center that shows its final camo scheme, a real boon to U-boat modelers.

We get several articles on specific boats, several of which include rare color photos of the boats and men who sailed them. An article is provided about installing a quad 20mm flak gun on one of the boats that shows an aspect of these vessels that one rarely finds. Other articles cover cap badges and tonnage pennants. There is also an interesting article on the 'electric boats' and they few late war cruises.

Like the earlier LIF/UIF books, this one is dual English/German and contains not only some rare period color photos, but a lot of previously unpublished images from a number of sources. In all, it makes for another outstanding issue and one that will be gladly greeted by enthusiasts, modelers and historians alike.

May 2013

Review book courtesy of  Luftfahrtverlag-Start  where you can order your copy and get up to date information on costs. American readers can get it at www.squadron.com

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