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• Flying Scale Models • 2009-03-20
• www.cocardes.org • 2009-03-20
• IPMS USA WEBSITE • 2009-03-20
• SAMI Vol 9 Iss. 5 • 2009-03-20
• Luftwaffe Discussion Group at 12 O'Clock High • 2009-03-20
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-20
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-20
• Hyperscale.com • 2009-03-20

• Flying Scale Models • 2009-03-20
  
• www.cocardes.org • 2009-03-20
  Adolf Galland fut sans conteste un des pilotes de la Luftwaffe du 3e Reich les plus connus. Non pas parce qu'il obtint un des meilleurs tableaux de chasse, quoiqu'avec 104 victoires il ne fit pas partie des plus manchots, mais surtout parce qu'il occupa la place ingrate de commandant en chef de la Jagdwaffe (la chasse allemande) après la disparition de Mölders.
  
  Adolf Galland, né en 1912 et attiré très jeune par les choses de l'air se distingua dès 1932 en établissant un record de durée de vol en planeur. Entré dans la Lufthansa puis rapidement passé à la Luftwaffe en pleine renaissance, le pilote devint instructeur non sans chercher à rejoindre une unité opérationelle ce qu'il fit rapidement. Dès lors, les succès s'enchaînèrent en Espagne, en France, au-dessus de l'Angleterre jusqu'à sa promotion de patron de la chasse. Il vola moins mais resta au contact de ses hommes, s'évertuant à obtenir le maximum pour eux. Suspecté par Goering d'avoir fomenté une fronde des pilotes de chasse, il passa en disgrâce et retourna au front sur Me 262.
  
  Après le guerre, Galland fut emprisonné deux ans en Grande-Bretagne puis se reconvertit comme garde-forestier, un poste qu'il quitta très rapidement pour rejoindre l'Argentine comme consultant aéronautique. Il retrouve ainsi l'aviation, qu'il ne quitta plus, même rentré en Allemagne où il occupa le poste de chef d'état-major de la nouvelle Luftwaffe. Sa bonne humeur, son amour pour l'aviation, son ouverture permirent à nombre de passionnés de l'approcher, le questionner et fit beaucoup pour l'écriture de l'histoire de la chasse allemande pendant la dernière guerre, jusqu'à sa disparition en 1996.
  
  Cette vie trépidante et passionnante est retracée dans cette jolie petite biographie retranscrite par Donald CALDWELL, qui rencontra Galland pour des interviews fleuves, et Robert Michulec, un autre historien de l'aviation de la Seconde Guerre mondiale de plus en plus en vue. Le livre est bien illustré de photographies, de plans des avions pilotés par Galland ainsi que des profils couleur précis. Cet ouvrage en langue anglaise conviendra aussi bien au passionné d'histoire qu'au maquettiste désireux de monter des avions d'un grand de la Luftwaffe.
• IPMS USA WEBSITE • 2009-03-20
  General Adolf Galland needs very little introduction. He started his flying career before World War II in the fledgling Luftwaffe and by the end he was the General of the Fighter force and the youngest general in German history.
  
  The newest book in the Mushroom Model Special Series takes on the task of following the career in words and pictures. Is this book the in depth profile of the charismatic general? No, but it is a nice overview of the man and the combat leader. Included are over 100 photos of General Galland and his aircraft. What I found to be very interesting are the great photos of the airplanes that Galland flew. There are a few strange planes, even strange for Bf-109s. Not only are the two Bf-109F-2/Us, but there are also some strange modifications to some other 109s that Galland flew. There are photos of Galland’s E-4 with a GM-1 system and another with a strange color scheme with an alternate antenna mounts to the horizontal tail. Both machines, as well as, the other airplanes are shown in photos and in beautiful color renditions. There are some very nice drawings of the He-51, Bf-109s and the Me-262.
  
  Strangely absent is the FW-190 that Galland used for inspection tours as General Der Jagdflieger but this in no way detracts from an excellent book.
  
  The two authors are well known in the Luftwaffe community, especially Don Caldwell, for JG-26 research. So you know that the book is well researched and written. I highly recommend this book.
• SAMI Vol 9 Iss. 5 • 2009-03-20
  
• Luftwaffe Discussion Group at 12 O'Clock High • 2009-03-20
  I have just read Don Caldwell's and Robert Michulec's new biography "Adolf Galland", and I am overwhelmed. Only rarely do I get captured by any book as I was by this one. Quite honestly, I got absolutely hypnotised by it. The book is written with a strong and basic respect for the man Adolf Galland, whom at least one of the authors - Don Caldwell - knew personally. But this does not make the authors avoid an honest analysis of Galland's various activities and decisions during World War II. To the contrary, they deal with both Adolf Galland's successes and some of his weaker spots. This creates a realistic portrait of a man of flesh and blood - rare when it comes to such biographies - and increases the reader's respect for this man. I became fascinated when I read the book's deep analysis and descriptions of various air combats when Adolf Galland filed overclaims. "This means that Galland could not possibly see a flash that could be interpreted as an aeroplane crashing on the ground, or its fuel tanks exploding in mid-air. This in turn leads to the conclusion that Galland had simply stretched his account, in order not to get into too much detail". This conclusion, based on deep research, of one of Adolf Galland's most famous air combats, serves not to blame Galland, but sheds light on the very special circumstances during which he lived in those days. The fawning biographies of famous aces are rather tiring. As the reader of this review now understand, this is not one of that cathegory. But at the same time, it creates an understanding for and a high esteem for Galland's qualities as a fighter pilot which is greater than what e.g. Toliver/Constable or Held are able to achieve with their previous Galland biographies. Since the authors speak out openly when they find reason to question some of Galland's victory claims, or when their analysis point at some mistake conducted by Galland in the position as General der Jagdflieger, all the cases when they underline Galland's "real" victories and his very good qualities as commander are very credible. Many other things in the book are highly interesting, like the fact that the authors have found out that it was Galland who shot down "one of the most colurful aces of the RAF" (read the book to find out whom it was!); or their surprising (to me at least) analysis of the result of Galland's role as Fighter Commander Sicily in 1943. In the book's appendices there are many new things revealed through statements by Galland in private interviews, etc. The book is accompanied by many interesting photographs and ten colour profiles of aircraft known to have been flown by Adolf Galland. The only little flaw I can think of is that it is such a small book - 88 pages. I would have wished it was four times that size. But maybe there will be an "expanded edition" in the future? Until then - hurry to get this one!
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-20
  This latest title in Mushroom’s Blue Series takes a look at one of the most famous Luftwaffe pilots of the Second World War: Adolf Galland. Galland had a diverse career in the Luftwaffe, starting with flying biplanes in Spain with the Legion Condor and ending with piloting jet fighters over Germany. After the war he found employment as a consultant and author, writing probably the best-known book on the Luftwaffe, The First and the Last. In 1996 Galland lost his last battle with illness, passing away shortly before his 84th birthday. As can be expected, this book focuses on his Luftwaffe flying years. Each section provides photos of the planes Galland flew, accompanied by text outlining his achievements. In addition to this, scale drawings are also included, covering the Heinkel He 51, Bf 109E, Bf 109F, and Me 262. Spread throughout the text are tables outlining Galland’s kills as well, making this a nice overview of his flying career. Finishing off the book is a set of color profiles of his aircraft. This is a nice little monograph on Galland and is a great complement to The First and the Last. Kudos to Mushroom for putting together a great book.
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-20
  From Mushroom Models Publications comes another book in their blue series, this time the subject is Luftwaffe Ace Adolf Galland. As with the earlier book on Marseilles*, this one concentrates on Galland's career as well as the aircraft that he flew. Some of the more interesting air combats are depicted as are Galland's dealings with his superiors in the Luftwaffe and German government. His various victories are also charted in the pertinent sections of the book and it is spiced up with three view drawings of the various aircraft that he flew. There is no lack of color profiles, as, in common with the Marseilles* book, all of his fighters are presented. An added bonus is a transcript of a conversation held with Galland in 1991 that brings a bit of additional insight into Galland's personality and motivations. For the raw stats on the book itself, it is card covered, 88 pages and about 9½ by 6¾ inches in size. The printing and images are first rate and on high quality paper. It is a fascinating read and one that I'm sure you will enjoy.
• Hyperscale.com • 2009-03-20
  Adolf Galland was one of the most identifiable personalities of the Second World War. Mushroom Model Magazine Special’s newest book, “Adolf Galland” by Robert Michulec and Donald Caldwell, traces the famous pilot’s career from his early years flying Henschel Heinkel He 59 and Henschel Hs 123 biplanes, to his best-known role as a fighter ace during the Battle of Britain and later, in 1941, during some of the toughest fighter vs. fighter combat of the war; as a leader of men; an innovative tactician and as one of the Luftwaffe’s highest ranking officers. The book comprises 88 pages plus covers, and is presented in soft cover, portrait format. 75 black and white wartime photos are supplemented by 13 colour profiles and one additional colour plate. The pictures provide a good visual narrative of Galland’s wartime history. The text is succinct but informative with the emphasis being on the famous ace’s war record. However, the authors do not view Galland through rose-coloured glasses. In addition to documenting his combat and leadership skills, they also raise the issues of overclaiming of victories (a common practice for virtually all fighter pilots), his occasionally intemperate decisions in the heat of battle, and his shadowy post-war visit to South America. A nine-page transcript of a discussion between Donald Caldwell and Adolf Galland makes for interesting reading, and provides some personality insights. With the combination of wartime photos and very attractive profiles, the book represents a great one-stop reference source for virtually all of Galland’s documented mounts, making this title ideal for modellers. The analysis of Galland’s tactics and war record make interesting reading too. “Adolf Galland” by Robert Michulec and Donald Caldwell is a concise, well-priced summation of one of the most famous personalities of the Second World War. Recommended.