Air War Over Italy – 3rd Sept. 1943 to 2nd May 1945, Airframe Extra 8, August 2017 (Valiant Wings)
Valiant Wings Publishing has released the eighth title in the much-acclaimed Airframe Extra series: “Air War Over Italy”. It covers the historical aspects of the aerial conflict over Italy from the Allied landing at Salerno on the 3rd September 1943 through to the surrender and cessation of fighting by all Axis forces in Italy on the 2nd May 1945. The war in Italy is often overlooked when compared to the D-Day landings and conflict in France & Germany. However it was one of the most important theatres of WW2, where german forces fiercely resisted before any retreating and Allied Air Forces, as well as Luftwaffe played an important part.
“It was a campaign fought on some of the most unforgiving terrain and extreme weather conditions - ideal for the determined German defenders. Allied pilots had to endure round the clock difficult operations in support of ground forces, dangerous low level attack sorties and tricky flying conditions through mountain ranges. For the keen aircraft modeller the campaign offers a camofest of different aircraft types and air forces…” (excerpt from the Forward by Mark Peacock).
Following the other books of the series it breaks down to sections on History, 20 pages of aircraft profiles from all combatants and 6 models of aircraft from the period in 1/72, 1/48 & 1/32 scale.
The book is A4 in size, 82 pages, with laminated covers.
ISBN: 978-0-9935345-9-1
Cover price £9.95
Historical narrative by Patrick Branly
Numerous period images & map of the landings
Over 70 colour profiles by Richard J Caruana
Specially commissioned kit builds:
- 1/72nd Ju 88A-4 (Hasegawa); 1/48th P-39 Airacobra (Eduard); 1/32nd Macchi C.205 Veltro (21st Century Toys) by Steve A. Evans
- 1/72nd Spitfire Mk IXc (Eduard); 1/72nd Fiat G.55 Series I (Special Hobby); 1/72nd Baltimore Mk V (Special Hobby) by Libor Jekl
Contents are as follows:
Forward by Mark Peacock, Publisher
Table of Contents
History
RAF/USAAF Profiles
1/72 Baltimore Mk V Build
1/72 Spitfire Mk IXC Build
1/72 Fiat G.55 Build
1/72 Ju 88 Build
Axis Profiles
1/48 P-39L/N Build
Colour Reference
1/32 C.205 Build
Co-Belligerent Profiles
History
A 15 page section written by Patrick Branly. It covers the background and conduct of the invasion of Italy and subsequent Italian campaign, with a particular focus on the air war. It follows a basic chronological description of events, including many interesting period photographs and represents a handy narrative for the events, as well as being a good starting point for further historical research.
RAF/USAAF Profiles
Beautifully illustrated by Richard J. Caruana, this section features eight (8) pages of colour profiles with explanatory captions. Many colourful Spitfires, Mustangs and P-47s, along with a selection of B-26s, Beaufighter, Hudson, B-17, B-24s, plus some amphibious aircraft (Walrus, Sunderland). Many modeling ideas will come to you by just looking these exceptional profiles!
1/72 Baltimore Mk V Build
The first modelling article features Libor Jekl's build of the Special Hobby 1/72 Martin Baltimore Mk V kit: eight (8) pages full of hints & tips for a much realistic model. Libor is now a well-known master modeller in this scale, and his expert handiwork is worth following. Many 1/48th scale modelers will get a bit jealous looking at his work!
1/72 Spitfire Mk IXc Build
Libor Jekl describes in eight more pages his second build, featuring Eduard's excellent 1/72nd Spitfire Mk IXc kit with bare metal finish. A really fantastic model hardly distinguishable from a 1/48 build!
1/72 Fiat G.55 Build
Libor Jekl’s third in a row build of the Special Hobby 1/72 Fiat G.55 kit. Again in just eight pages, Libor shows us how to expertly finish this mixed-media kit, recommended to more experienced modelers, and he shows a very impressive model indeed.
1/72 Ju88A-4 Build
Steve Evans features the highly detailed Hasegawa 1/72 Ju 88A-4 kit. Although a complicated model Steve shows us in 6 pages how to tackle it and paint the splinter camo pattern.
Axis Profiles
Eight pages with Richard Caruana’s profiles, including an interesting selection of Regia Aeronautica and Luftwaffe aircraft. Along with the MC.202, MC.205, and G.55 fighters, there are also multi-engined types, like SM.79s, SM.81s, SM.82s, SM.84s, and Z.107s. Luftwaffe types appearing are: Bf 109G-10, Fw 190A-5, and Ju 88A-4. Several of the Italian aircraft are depicted in Luftwaffe markings. The various camouflage patterns are very intriguing!
1/48 P-39L/N Build
Steve Evans builds the Eduard 1/48 P-39L/N kit and describes the results in five pages. Steve builds it as an Italian co-belligerent machine from 1944, and turns out a very different Airacobra indeed!
Colour Reference Chart
A large single-page reference chart, that lists each of the major colours used by RAF, USAAF, Luftwaffe, and Regia Aeronautica aircraft, and matches them against paint numbers from nine different brands - six acrylics (Akan, GS Mr Aqueous, Humbrol, Lifecolor, Tamiya & Xtracrylix) and four enamels (Humbrol, Revell, White Ensign & Xtracolor). Very practical and useful to all modelers.
1/32 C.205 Build
The final build features the “21st Century Toys” 1/32 C.205 kit described by Steve Evans over six pages. Kits from this (now defunct) manufacturer were more like toys, than true scale models, but Steve shows us how to turn this C.205 into an impressive and highly realistic model that you cannot tell it comes from a toy at all! (Even after 11 years from its original release you can still find this kit on ebay at very low prices).
Co-Belligerent Profiles
Three pages of colour profiles featuring Italian Co-Belligerent aircraft. Mostly Italian types with a nice Spitfire and a P-39. Folgores, Veltros and Re.2001s, with impressive and eye-catching mottle/snake like patterns, smoke rings and…squiggles!
In Conclusion...
We liked “Air War Over Italy” a lot. Its mix of interesting history, beautiful artwork, color profiles and realistic model builds is perfect. The magazine format allows for a very affordable price tag, and can be used as a starting point for more research into this very interesting conflict. The model builds and profile artwork serve as a great source of inspiration for improving our modelling efforts and adding more realistic replicas to our collection! Based on our experience, books like "Air War Over Italy" become rarer than kits in the long run, so grab one now!
Available direct from Valiant Wings Publishing or at specialist bookshops.
Orders can be placed via Valiant Wings website http://www.valiant-wings.co.uk/airframe-extra-no8-2317-p.asp or by calling +44 (0) 1234 273434 or by writing to: Valiant Wings Publishing, 8 West Grove, Bedford, MK40 4BT, UK
