Consolidated Mess

Author: Alan Griffith   

Published by: Stratus – available in UK from Mushroom Model Publications 

Format: Paperback 192 A4 size; illustrated throughout, black and white images (plus two colour), 4 colour profiles and multiple line drawings, English text.

Price at time of review: £24.99 from all good bookshops, or direct from the publishers at £27.50 inc. p&p (UK); £35 (Europe).

North American distributors: Casemate

Australian distributors: Platypus Publications.

ISBN: 978-83-61421-16-0

Review by: Geoff Coughlin

Our thanks to Stratus – Mushroom Model Publications for supplying our review sample. 

The B-24 Liberator was built in greater numbers than any other US WWII aircraft and served in every theatre of that War; as a heavy bomber, anti-submarine aircraft, reconnaissance and transport.

Produced in several factories, there were many variants, both minor and major and it has to be said that existing literature can appear confusing.

This title describes the nose-turreted versions of the B-24 as used by the USAF, from field modifications of the early variants through many production versions built by Consolidated, Ford and others, up to the definitive single-tailed B-24N.

All aspects of the airframe are covered, from nose to tail and the bewildering variety of turrets, guns, windows and other areas are described and illustrated.

What’s interesting and genuinely exciting is that much of this information has never been published before and so will bring much-needed clarity to what is so far often confusing.

Useful for scale modellers…

This is a hugely welcome title that will prove invaluable for any B-24 modelling project. The depth of coverage, with the excellent line drawings, illustrations and colour profiles, will provide plenty of scope for influencing your choice of model.

This is so in terms of both subject and modifications that you feel you want to make or are needed to the manufacturer’s kit.

The period images will certainly give you much to contemplate in terms of finish and weathering, but you should take a long look at the words. The writing gives great insight into the development and detail differences that affected the type through its service.

It’s probably timely to give the last word here to Al Blue – noted B-24 researcher who comments in his foreword to the book:

“It has been over 70 years since the B-24 Liberator was conceived and first flown.

“One would think that seven decades would be sufficient time to unearth and tell the total story of the airplane, but author Alan Griffith has proven this to be far from the case. In spite of the plethora of books on the B-24 that have appeared, none has presented this level of detail described in this volume.

“There is more new B-24 material in these pages than has appeared in years. For the master model builder this book presents a fertile field of new challenges. For the rest of us, it is a feast of new facts to be read and enjoyed.”

Recommended.

Geoff C.