Valiant Wings Publishing
Author: Richard Franks
Price: £15.95 GBP plus P&P
84 pages, softback, high quality art paper
Review by Geoff Coughlin (May 2014)
Our thanks to Mark at Valiant Wings Publishing for supplying our review sample… Get this impressive title here now
Airframe Album No.4: The Westland Whirlwind – A Detailed Guide to The RAF’s famous twin-engined WWII Fighter by Richard A. Franks.
This is the fourth title in the Airframe Album series covers the Westland Whirlwind, and provides an excellent contrast to the previous releases:
- The Heinkel He 219
- Hawker Sea Fury and
- CAC Boomerang
The Westland Whirlwind has proved elusive to scale modellers over the years with few kits available in any of the major scales. Sure, some have been available, mainly in 1:72 but a good quality kit – no, not really and definitely not in 1:48 scale – until now that it. This title is cleverly designed to be released soon after the new Trumpeter 1:48 scale kit and that’s an exciting combination. Release of the new kit and this new title makes the Westland Whirlwind a serious project choice that many will take up.
There is very little scale modelling reference material readily available for modellers and that’s why I am so pleased to see this title become available.
We are tracking down a kit as I speak so keep an eye on What’s New to see when the box review appears in here Now and then, Build Now for the whole build – my we are lucky people these days, it seems nothing is impossible to expect!
This new title contents include:
- A wealth of historical and modern photographs
- Detailed study of the structure, equipment and armament used
- Isometric views by Maciej Noszczak of all prototype and production airframes
- Colour profiles and camouflage detail by Richard J. Caruana
- At least 84 pages in total
- Lists of all Whirlwind kits, accessories and decals produced in all scales.
What do we think?
A very good publication and an impressive addition to what is a very useful series of reference books for scale modellers. The quality of production is high; images are comprehensive too covering the internal and external features of the type. These are supplemented with period manual images and photographs.
One of the best sections in the title is the one covering all the differences between the various pre and production examples of the Westland Whirlwind and there are many.
The colour profiles towards the back of the book are good and there are now upper and lower colour profiles for the camouflage pattern diagrams showing the schemes clearly.
The end of the book identifies and shows just about all the model kits and accessories available now or previously for the Whirlwind and will be helpful when considering what to buy, whatever your chosen scale or kit.
Highly Recommended
Geoff C.
Where can I get it?
Airframe Album No 4- The Westland Whirlwind – A Detailed Guide to the RAF’s Famous WWII twin-engined fighter by Richard A. Franks retails at only £15.95 per copy + postage and packing, and is available from all good hobby stores, specialist bookshops and ADH Books.
Orders can also be made via the Valiant Wings website, www.valiant-wings.co.uk , by ‘phone on 01234 273434 (+44 1234 273434 if calling from outside the UK) or by writing to: Valiant Wings Publishing 8 West Grove, Bedford MK40 4BT