Fighters over Italy Part 1 book and decals

Book and Decals by by Mariusz Lukasik, Tomasz Szlagor & Janusz Swiatlon

Product Article by Sinuhe Hahn on Dec 21 2009

 

ISBN: 978-83-61220-37-4
Content: 34 pages, softback cover booklet, A-4 & A-5 sized decal sheet (1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale).

As readers of my previous review on the other book in this series on “Jagdwaffe over Africa” will recall, I am a sucker for this type of booklet: just enough history to keep you interested, a nice number of superb 4-view drawings, and matching decal sheet to titillate the fantasy of any modeler with a sizeable stash of Fiat G-55’s, Macchi C 205’s, Spitfire MkV and MkIX’s, and P-40’s, P-47’s and P-51’s – what more can one ask for?

The booklet provides a brief but interesting description of the air-war over Italy from 1943 till 1945. This is a rather neglected campaign, so it is very nice to see some attention being devoted to it, for as many historians have pointed out, Italy was not the soft underbelly to Europe that Churchill thought it would be.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

The monograph starts off with the Italian ANR (Aviozione Republicana Republicana) forces, which was formed in 1943 from forces loyal to Mussolini, after the remainder of Italy signed a peace accord with the allies. 

A description is provided of the initial camouflage schemes, which were largely restricted to olive green upper surfaces (Verde olivio scuro 2) with light blue grey under surfaces (Grigio azzro chiaro 1). These were then subsequently changed for mottle schemes reminiscent of Luftwaffe fighters, or the famous smoke ring schemes we modelers love to look at, but hate to paint (which is why decals were introduced for this purpose). 

Beautiful 4 view drawings are offered of a Macchi 205 in such a scheme with Luftwaffe markings or Republican ANR markings. 

The remainder of the booklet is devoted to allied forces. Not surprisingly for a book published in Poland, the mount of S/Ldr Stanislav Skalski UF-X features prominently. Those interested in the new Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire MkIXc, will be pleased to know that an excellent set of 4 view drawings and decals is offered for Cpt. Tommy Molland’s “Fargo Express”.

Of the remaining aircraft which covers P-40’s, P-51’s and P-47’s, the greatest interest to me are a spectacular P-47D-30-RE code-named “Schmaltzie / Mercedez” as flown by Lt. Frank Duffy Middleton of the 65th FS “Fighting Cocks”, as well as a red-tailed P-51B “Skippers Darling” flown by Capt. Andrew D. Turner.

As stated decals are provided on an A-4 and an A-5 sized sheet covering all aircraft in three scales (1/72, 1/48 and 1/32). 

Clearly, I am a fan of such monograph / decal combinations, and while they may offer to little detail for the devotee, they will be welcomed by many modelers, who are the target audience. Copies are available directly from the publishers at www.kagero.pl or from www.fliegerbuecher.ch. I, for one, am looking forward to the second and future volumes.

Sinuhe Hahn

Photos and text © by Sinuhe Hahn