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• Scale Aviation Modeller International 2013-02 • 2013-07-16
• AIR Modeller 46 • 2013-07-16
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-07-16
• Scalemodellingnow.com • 2013-07-16
• Modelingmadness.com • 2013-07-16
• indy-amps.weebly.com • 2013-07-16
• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-07-16
• SAMI 02/2013 • 2013-07-16
• Arfix magazine 03/2013 • 2013-07-16

• Scale Aviation Modeller International 2013-02 • 2013-07-16
  
• AIR Modeller 46 • 2013-07-16
  
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-07-16

  Reviewed by Brad Fallen

  FirstRead

  New Zealander Malcolm Laird has been producing decals, books and limited run kits under the Ventura Publications label for over thirty years. Malcolm’s interest in World War 2 New Zealand and Australian aviation subjects is reflected in many of his Ventura releases, which address this sometimes overlooked niche in the market. Malcolm’s latest book, ‘Classic Warbirds No.13: D-Day to Berlin’ (a revised and expanded edition of an earlier Classic Warbirds publication), focuses on the experiences of Kiwi and Australian pilots during the last months of the war in Europe. The book is perfect for modelers who like a bit of history behind their projects, combining first person narratives from the airmen involved with excellent photographs and illustrations of the aircraft they flew. Its chapters are as follows:

  D-Day Gun Spotters – Royal NZ Naval Volunteer Reserve pilot Lieutenant Hugh Lang recounts his experiences gun-spotting for warships in Seafire L.IIIs, which include being shot down by an Fw 190 on 9 June 1944.

  Mobile Spitfire Squadron – Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mayston of No.485 (NZ) Squadron describes flying Spitfire Mk.IXs against a variety of targets, including V1 sites, and a dramatic emergency landing during which Mayston inadvertently played ‘chicken’ with a P-47 Thunderbolt.

  Flying for Two Air Forces – after completing several combat tours in RAF Spitfires, Flight Lieutenant Jack Cleland was seconded to the 357th Fighter Group in July 1944, becoming the only New Zealand Fighter Pilot to fly with the Eighth Air Force.

  Fighters at Night – Flying Officer Allot Gabites describes flying Mosquito NF 30s with No.488 (NZ) Squadron over Europe in the last months of the war. Tempest Squadron – Flying Officer Ray Danzey, 486 (NZ) Squadron, talks about engaging V1s, Fw 190 Ds and trains in his Tempest Mk V in 1944-45, as well as the psychological effects of flying in combat.

  Combating the V2 – No.451 (RAAF) Squadron members Warren Thomas and Lindsay Richards describe the Spitfire-equipped squadron’s operations against V2 sites in Holland, encounters with Me 262s, and occupation duties in Germany.

  From Tempest to Meteor – Warren Schrader talks about his experiences flying Tempests with 486 (NZ) Squadron in March-April 1945, and then Meteor Mk IIIs with 616 Squadron in May 1945; a highlight is his description of flying a surrendered Me 262 from Fassberg to Lubeck on 29 May 1945. Reconnaissance Fighters – an outline of Spitfire and P-51 photographic reconnaissance operations in the final months of the war.

  Anti-Shipping Beaufighters – Squadron Leader Bill Mullen recounts 455 (RAAF) and 489 (NZ) Squadron operations against German targets in Norway in 1944-45.

  These first-hand accounts provide great insight into the challenges faced by Allied airmen at this late stage of the war, including unexpectedly stout Luftwaffe opposition, deadly anti-aircraft fire and the effect of combat operations on individuals.

  As I mentioned above, the text is well supported by photographs. These are frequently of specific aircraft flown by the narrators, or of similar machines operated by their units. There are also images of derelict German aircraft, photographed where they were abandoned at the end of the war; some of these were taken by narrators or others from their squadrons. The photos are black and white but of excellent quality, and will be of great assistance to modelers.

  So will the 38 colour illustrations, which feature aircraft mentioned in the text and shown in the photographs. Most are port profiles, but several aircraft receive more extensive treatment, including Jack Cleland’s Spitfire Mk VII, MD106/‘Isabel II’, and the P-51D ‘Isabel III’/413573 that Cleland flew during his time with the USAAF.

• Scalemodellingnow.com • 2013-07-16

  Review by Geoff Coughlin

  “From D-Day to Berlin” is a revised and expanded reprint of Classic Warbirds No.5. Most of the new material is Luftwaffe ‘broken eagle’ photos from 1945 and an RAF Beaufighter story with previously unpublished photos from privates’ collections. Stories from mid 1944 until the post war occupation force are included. Where possible each chapter is based on interviews with individuals who were there. We have endeavoured to avoid repeating “potted histories” of various air battles.

  For the fighter squadrons of the RAF’s Second Tactical Air Force and the USAAF 8th and 9th Air Forces this period was particularly intense. From supporting the Normandy invasion itself and later encountering increased Luftwaffe opposition as the air war was fought increasingly over German soil. Add to this the increasing sophistication and sheer magnitude of the 8th Air Force strategic daytime bombing campaign over the Third Reich. From these campaigns comes the content of this book and a wealth of material for modellers and aviation enthusiasts alike. Where possible each chapter is from the perspective of individuals who were there. Each story is illustrated with many photos, including coverage of other squadrons involved in particular campaigns. Most are published for the first time and are from private collection.

  Useful for scale modellers…

  The profiles as ever are very useful and the period photos will undoubtedly give you ideas for finishing your model, whether it is an Allied or Axis subject.

  Recommended

  Geoff C.

• Modelingmadness.com • 2013-07-16

  Reviewer: Scott Van Aken

  Ventura books are somewhat infrequently published, but always excellent reads. As usual, this one tends to lean towards the New Zealand aspect of things, which is pretty much expected considering where the book is published.

  According to the author, this edition is a revised and expanded version of Classic Warbirds #5. One of the major additions are images of Luftwaffe 'broken eagles' and the inclusion of a Beaufighter article. All of the stories feature either New Zealand born pilots or crews in New Zealand squadrons.

  The first is one on Seafire operations on D-day and after as a gun spotter for the HMS Warspite.

  We then move to 485 Squadron's ground attack work after moving to the continent.

  Next is a story about Jack Cleland and his time with both the RAF and the USAAF.

  Night fighters are the highlight of the next section with 488 Squadron.

  486 Squadron and their Tempests is the fifth entry.

  We then move on to Spitfire ops against V-1 and V-2 launch sites.

  Then it is on to flying Tempests and then Meteors for a rather interesting section.

  Finishing up, is the new chapter on flying anti-shipping strikes with Beaufighters.

  The book is superbly illustrated with not only a bevy of period photos, but also some superb color profile work on all the aircraft covered in the various sections. The stories are interesting and make for a very nice read. It is a book that has a nice selection of tales and is one that I know you will enjoy reading. It is a book that I can easily recommend to you.

  December 2012 Please visit Mushroom Models Publications at their website listed below if you cannot find them locally.

• indy-amps.weebly.com • 2013-07-16

  Mushroom Model Publications is based in the UK. They have all their books printed in English in Sandomierz Poland by Stratus. Stratus also does their own series of books in Polish and English. Apparently Ventura also is associated with Stratus as this book was sent to me directly from Stratus. It was packaged in several layers of heavy cardboard along with a second book. Both books arrived in pristine condition.

  This book is soft cover and 72 pages long in 6 ½” x 9” page format. “From D-Day to Berlin” is a revised and expanded reprint of Classic Warbirds No. 5. Most of the new material is Luftwaffe “broken eagle” photos from 1945 and an RAF Beaufighter story with previously unpublished photos from private collections. Stories from the mid 1944 until the post war occupation force are included. When possible, each chapter is based on interviews with individuals who were there. The book endeavors to avoid repeating “potted histories” of various air battles.

  For the fighter squadrons of the RAF’s Second Tactical Air Force and the USAAF 8th and 9th Air Forces this period was particularly intense. From supporting the Normandy invasion itself and later encountering increased Luftwaffe opposition as the air war was fought increasingly over German soil.

  Add to this the increasing sophistication and sheer magnitude of the 8th Air Force strategic daytime bombing campaiSgn over the Third Reich. From these campaigns comes the content of this book and a wealth of material for modelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. Where possible, each chapter is from the perspective of individuals who were there. Each story is illustrated with many photos. There are 110 black and white wartime photos in the book. Fifty-six of these photos are of pilots and crew members in front of various aircraft. There is one photo of the No. 451 Squadron logo.

  Aircraft shown in the photos are: Mustang III, Beaufighter, the tail of a Ju-88, Seafire L.III, Liberator, Hellcat, Typhoon Mk. Ib, Spitfire Mk. IXc, Spitfire IX, Spitfire LF.XVI, Spitfire VII, P-51D, P-51B, P-51D-5, P-51C, Mosquito NF.Mk. 30, Spitfire FR. XIV, FW-190F-8, Gloster Meteor Mk. II and Mk. III, Hawker Tempest Mk.V, Bf-110G-4, Me-410, Mosquito NF.XVII, P-61 “Black Widow”, Ju-88G-6, Do-17, Siebel Si-204D, Bf-109G.

  Color profile illustrations are: a 5-view of a Spitfire Mk. VII named “Isabel II” with a line drawing of the cockpit and retractable tail wheel. This aircraft was flown by Flight Lieutenant Jack Cleland.

  A Mosquito NF. XVII

  A Spitfire Mk. XVI as a 2 view.

  A Spitfire Mk. IXc

  A Spitfire FR. XIV

  A P-51c as a 2-view and a 3-view.

  A Hawker Tempest Mk. V as a 2-view and illustrations of upper and lower invasion stripe patterns for the wings.

  A P-51D as a 3-view, with nose caption “OL FLAK JO”.

  A F-6D as a 3-view, with nose caption “Lil Margaret”.

  A Spitfire LF. XVI as a 4-view and a 1-view.

  A Beaufighter TF-X

  A Spitfire FR. XIV as a 2-view

  On the back cover of the book are 6 more color profiles.

  They are:

  A Seafire L. III

  A Hawker Tempest

  A Mosquito NF-30

  A FW-190D-9

  A Beaufighter Mk. X

  There is a loose sheet inserted into the back of this book that has the bibliography at the top and shows the cover arts for 5 other aircraft books that Ventura does: Spitfire Star of Israel, Spitfire Camouflage and Markings, Classic Warbirds No. 8 Pacific Twins, Classic Warbirds No.9 Fighter Archive and Classic Warbirds No. 12 The Anzacs.

• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-07-16

  Reviewed by: Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

  This book is number 13 in the Classic Warbirds softcover series. As the title From D-Day to Berlin indicates, it covers the European Theater from mid 1944 to the post-war occupation. It is basically a reprint of book No. 5 – From D-Day to Victory! Fighters in Europe 1944-'45 with some added material.

  The book is formatted into nine chapters covering various aspects of the air war as described by the individuals involved at the time. While most of the material involves New Zealand and Australian personnel, their stories are just as exciting as any others. Many of these stories are told in the first person, which makes for exciting reading.

  Beginning the book is the Chapter called D-Day Gun Spotters. Some other chapters address Spitfire squadrons, night fighters, Tempest squadrons, attacking the V-2 bases, reconnaissance, and anti-shipping missions. The material is very will written and flows well. There are 112 B&W period photographs and three line art illustrations to supplement the stories. In addition, there are eight pages of color profiles and/or plan views of the planes flown during this time. Without listing all the aircraft found in this book, suffice it to say that most of the commonly flown English fighter types and a few of the American fighter types are present. What you will not find are any of the bomber types.

  The personal stories and aircraft profiles presented by Malcolm Laird will provide the modeler a wealth of material. The pilots’ stories are small gems of history the aviation enthusiasts will find extremely interesting. After going through this book cover to cover, I cannot help but give it two thumbs up.

• SAMI 02/2013 • 2013-07-16
  
• Arfix magazine 03/2013 • 2013-07-16