- AIRfile Publications
- Authors: Peter Freeman and Tim Walsh
- Series Editor: Neil Robinson
- Price: £17.99 GBP plus p&p direct from the publisher – here
- Review by Geoff Coughlin
Our thanks to Neil and the team at AIRfile Publications for supplying our review sample. Get this great title and others here now at AIRfile Publications
Introduction
Quality reference books are always interesting, especially when they seem to cover something a little different or an area that hasn’t been done to death before. So… I was very interested when Sara said that Neil had a couple of good titles to show us at the recent (and very well attended Lincoln Model Show at Southwell Racecourse, UK).
Quick summary
RAF Trainers Volume 1 offers over 70 pages of profiles and 4-views of the bright and often gaudy colour schemes and markings applied to RAF aircraft used in the Training Role from the end of World War One and the creation of the RAF in April 1918 until the end of World War Two in May 1945.
The aircraft types and numbers used in the training role during these years was vast, and colour schemes just as eclectic, making for a unique and fascinating reference source for modellers and aviation enthusiasts alike.
P&P | UK £2.40 | Europe £5.75 | Rest of World £9.95
What I like
This is written and presented exactly like we modellers will like and appreciate. Many familiar types and a few less so fill the pages with profiles in plan and side views – excellent. Some of the schemes are superb like the one applied to the Sopwith F1 Camel at the front of the title. The Bristol M1C may be less familiar to you and the red/white scheme is extraordinary and will have you reaching for your search engine to try to locate appropriate decals for your model project.
Essentially what you have are lots and lots of profiles with captions explaining what you need to know. So, for around £20.00 GBP that’s what you get and for the price represents good value for money.
Other comments and summary
One thing I would have liked is a contents page at the front that lists all the aircraft featured and the page where they can be found. Equally, there’s no index at the back of the title and while these small points slightly niggle, they don’t detract sufficiently to stop me buying a copy. Far from it, this is a good book, covering an important aspect of British military aviation that will appeal to many aircraft modellers and enthusiasts. I find myself constantly picking it up for inspiration and I suspect that you will too!
Volume 2 is in preparation and addresses the immediate post-war period right up to the present day.
Recommended
Geoff C.