Military Model Scene

Title: Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

Author: Martin Derry and Neil Robinson

Publisher: Pen and Sword Books

ISBN: 978-1-52670-262-3

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Authors Martin and Neil have done another excellent job with this new addition to the FlightCraft series of books from Pen and Sword.  This time the subject is the Stuka, one of the most recognisable aircraft fielded by the Luftwaffe in WW2.  With 94 pages in the softcover book it is packed with an excellent reference for modellers in particular.  It starts with the development and combat history of the Ju 87, early service in the Spanish Civil War and on into the early Blitzkrieg era.  The circumstances changed for the Stuka once it became embroiled in the Battle of Britain, when it found itself easy prey for the Spitfires and Hurricanes of the RAF.  It soldiered on though, and found a new role on the Eastern Front, that of Tank Buster, equipped with 37mm cannon.  The history follows a basic chronological sequence from the development to the early A series ('Anton'), then the B/C/and R versions, then the D/G version, complete with new, more powerful engine.  These elements take up the first 35 pages and are well illustrated throughout with archive photos.  The next topic deals with the Export customers, including Italy, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Slovakia.  More with special interest for the modeller comes next, with 8 pages giving details of camouflage and markings used on Stukas in the various theatres of war in which they operated.  This is well illustrated in the next section of 16 pages of fine colour profiles.

Pages 62 through to 79 give a comprehensive coverage of all the different Stuka kits that have been on the market over the years, in scales from 1/144 through to the larger 1/32 and 1/24th scales.  The final part of the book features a variety of kits built up, and provide plenty of inspiration.  For modellers this is another fine guide as well as providing the historical background to accompany the model details.  Even the 'occasional' modeller will find plenty to interest and inspire them here, and in a book which provides just a good concise history of the Skuka for the aviation historian.  I like it.

 

 Another little reference for aircraft enthusiasts and modellers alike.

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Robin

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