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• Hyperscale.com • 2010-02-23
• MAI 4/2006 • 2010-02-23
• Aircraft Resource Center • 2010-02-23
• Internet Modeler • 2010-02-23
• Modeling Madness • 2010-02-23
• Cybermodeler • 2010-02-23

• Hyperscale.com • 2010-02-23
  Reviewed by Mick Evans
  
  Mushroom Model Publications records the history of No 304 (Polish) Sqn RAF in this recent publication.
  
  The Squadron was formed in 1940 using personnel from the 2nd and 6th Air Regiments of the Polish Air Force who had escaped to England when Poland was overrun by the Germans.
  
  The Squadron was involved in operations with Bomber Command from 1940 to 1942 flying various marks of Wellington bombers flying bombing raids over occupied Europe where they lost at least one third of their aircraft and crews during this period. From May 1942 until the end of the war, the squadron flew anti submarine patrols with Coastal Command flying various anti submarine versions of the Wellington bomber. In the antisubmarine role the squadron had great success with 33 confirmed attacks against submarines resulting in two being sunk. The squadron had a short post war career with transport command flying Vickers Warwick and Handley Page Halifax aircraft.
  
  The book contains 96 pages illustrated with 128 black and white photographs and 2 wartime colour photographs. There are also 16 pages containing 32 full colour profiles containing the colour schemes of the units Fairy Battle trainers, Vickers Wellingtons and Warwicks, and an incorrectly labelled Handley Page Halifax (The publishers labelled this as a Warwick). The publishers have included tables and summaries of the organisation, personnel, and operational losses. Many personal accounts from the squadron aircrew are also included.
  
  This is an excellent historical account of No 304 Squadron that should appeal to aircraft enthusiast and modellers.
  
  Highly Recommended.
• MAI 4/2006 • 2010-02-23
  
• Aircraft Resource Center • 2010-02-23
  This 96 page softcover book from Mushroom Model Magazine is tell the operational history of 304 (Polish) Squadron RAF. After Poland was overrun by Germany in Sept 1939, many Poles joined the British Armed forces including the RAF to continue the fight against Germany to free Poland from the dark occupation oppressive occupation.
  
  The 304 (Polish) Squadron RAF was formed in 1940 and was continuously involved in operations with Bomber Command and later Coastal Command until the end of the war. The Squadron was formed from the personnel from the 2nd and 6th Air Regiments of the pre-war Polish Air force and the unit flew various versions of the Wellington bomber and maritime aircraft. As a bomber unit they flew missions over Europe during some of the most dangerous times suffering high losses. After May 1942 they flew with Coastal Command in the anti-submarine role with fantastic success. and later flew post war with Transport Command in Warwick and Halifax transports.
  
  This book contains many heroic first hand accounts of their wartime missions and exploits.
  
  As for images you get: 130 black and white photos, 2 wartime colour photos, 30 sideview colour profiles, 1 top and bottom view of one of the camo schemes featured in these profiles.
  
  The photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper with good light and easy to make out details in the photos and all the photos are vintage photos that help to tell the story of this gallant and successful squadron.
  
  This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the Wellington or the history of Bomber Command and Coastal Command.
• Internet Modeler • 2010-02-23
  The history of 304 Squadron is a fascinating one, as are most histories of Central European aviators flying in the RAF. 304 Squadron was a Polish squadron that began their RAF operations in 1940 and continued on through to the end of the war, first with Bomber Command and later with Coastal Command. After the war they continued to fly, this time as a short-lived Transport Command unit operating Warwick and Halifax transports. This long and varied history is well worth telling, and the people at Mushroom have told it in their usual exemplary manner.
  
  The book combines a detailed and well written text with copious amounts of photos. The aircraft operated by 304 Squadron for the most part was the Vickers Wellington, both during their Bomber Command days and their later Coastal Command days. From a modeling point of view, the photos will be of great use, as they show the Wellington from many angles.
  
  Additionally there are several photos showing damaged Wellingtons and the internal structure. Complementing the text and photos are 30 color profiles showing 304 Squadron aircraft in all their splendor.
  
  For those interested in unit histories, the Mushroom books are well worth seeking out. The research is very good, the text easy to read, and all of it is backed up by some excellent clear photos. Toss in the quality color profile illustrations and you have a top-notch reference that won't break the bank.
• Modeling Madness • 2010-02-23
  Just arrived is another fine book from Mushroom Model Publications, this one in their 'blue' series and covering the history of 304 Sq (Polish) RAF. This particular unit was formed in 1940 from the remnants of two Polish squadrons whose members fled the advancing Germans in 1939. Initially flying Battle trainers in order to get up to doing things the RAF way, they formed into 304 Squadron, flying Vickers Wellington bombers with Bomber Command. Though suffering rather high losses in their initial ops, they continued in this way until 1942 when they were switched over to Coastal Command.
  
  Still with the Wellington, only this time in different colors, they were successful in this role and stayed with Coastal Command until the end of the war. At that time, 304 Sq transitioned into Warwick and Halifax transports, switching over to Transport Command until disbanding in December 1946.
  
  The book is superbly written and has a goodly number of period photos of the crews and aircraft. There are the usual 'I was there' stories and incidents taken from the squadron's history. It all makes for an excellent read.
  
  Like others in this series, there are a number of appendices including crew rosters, aircraft lost, and squadron organization. There are also a number of excellent profiles of the various aircraft flown by 304 Sq during their operational history.
  
  In all, another superb book from the folks at Mushroom Models and one you will enjoy reading.
• Cybermodeler • 2010-02-23
  This latest book, from Mushroom Model Publications (MMP), tells the story of the 304 (Polish) Squadron, RAF. From it’s formation, in 1940, it was continuously involved in operations until the end of WWII. This was first with Bomber Command and then Coastal Command.
  
  Initially, it drew it’s personnel from the 2nd and 6th Air Regiments of the pre-war Polish Air Force. The unit flew various marks of Wellington bombers and maritime reconnaissance aircraft. As a bomber unit the squadron flew operations over occupied Europe during a difficult time, and lost one third of the establishment.
  
  From May 1942, 304 Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols with Coastal Command, and continued in this role, with great success, until the end of the war. The short post-war career of the unit was in Transport Command, flying Warwick and Halifax transports.
  
  The book is in MMP’s usual 9 ½” x 6 ½”, soft-cover, format. It is 96 pages long. The book contains 130 black and white wartime photos and 2 color photos (on the back cover), 5 charts, an area of operation map, footnotes and appendices.
  
  In the back of the book are 28 color profiles of various marks of Wellingtons that 304 Squadron flew, there is also 2 profiles of Fairey Battle trainers and 2 of Warwicks. I thought it unusual that the captions under these profiles are both in English and Polish languages. I think this is a nod to Polish readers, since the book is about a Polish Sqaudron. The rest of the book is in English only.
  
  This new book will appeal to aviation historians of RAF operations, aircraft enthusiasts and modelers. It is an invaluable addition to any aviation book shelf.
  
  Highly recommended.