The Battle of Midway, Airframe Extra No.10 (Valiant Wings 2019)
Valiant Wings have just published the tenth (10th) title in their much-acclaimed “Airframe Extra” series: The Battle of Midway. It is also their fifty-first (51st) book in ten years!
Many active scale modellers like to build subjects based on a theme or historical event. This series looks at specific areas and events in the history of aerial warfare. Each title covers the history and timelines, detail of the protagonists, period photographs and superb colour artwork from Richard J Caruana. Specific kit builds in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/144th scales from Steve A. Evans and Libor Jekl are also included.
The Battle of Midway was one of WW2’s pivotal air-naval conflicts between Japanese and American fleets in the Pacific, which shifted the balance of strategic power in that war Theater towards the USA. It was practically a decisive battle among dive-bomber, torpedo bomber and fighter Squadrons, flown from seven aircraft carriers. Five of them (four Japanese) took direct hits and sank.
The first 20 pages of the book describe concisely the actual battle, including period photographs of the aircraft involved, maps and tables/lists with the order of the battle/forces of both sides, so the reader gets a good overall picture of the key points of the conflict.
A full-page color cross-reference table is included after this section, including all the major shades relating to the Battle over Midway: USN/Marines, USAAF and IJN in Acrylics, Enamels and Lacquers, made by ten paint manufacturers (Gunze/Mr. Hobby/Mr.Color, Tamiya, Humbrol, Lifecolor, Modelmaster, Xtracrylics/Xtracolors, Revell, Hataka, White Ensign and Akan – quite comprehensive indeed, although IJN shades are more neglected and difficult to find as always, even today).
The rest of the contents are devoted to describing the seven model builds in three scales (1/72, 1/48 and 1/144), a nice selection with excellent details and WIP pictures to guide the modeler.
The seven model builds described are:
- 1/72nd Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat (Airfix)
- 1/72nd Nakajima B5N2 ‘Kate’ (Airfix)
- 1/72nd Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless (Hasegawa) by Libor Jekl
- 1/48th Grumman TBF/TBM-1 Avenger (Italeri/Accurate Miniatures)
- 1/48th Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator (Academy/Accurate Miniatures)
- 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero (Sweet)
- 1/48th Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 ‘Kate’ (Hasegawa) by Steve A. Evans
Among them, 33 color profiles by Richard Caruana provide even more diversity and ideas in order to build something different. The quality of the profiles is, as always, first-class, as the whole printing quality of the book.
Pages 33 and 34 will need a small correction in future reprints, as the relevant captions over six Douglas SBD Dauntless colour profiles are titled as “Grumman”, an easily forgivable error when editing among many different USN types.
The Battle of Midway is A4 in size, 74 pages with laminated covers. Available direct from Valiant Wings Publishing (www.valiant-wings.co.uk) or from all good specialist bookshops.
Airframe Extra No.10 - The Battle of Midway
Publication: August 2019
74 pages in full colour
ISBN: 978-1-912932-05-4
Cover price £11.95
Covers the historical aspects of the battles in the air and at sea over and above Midway between the 4th & 7th June 1942.
Historical narrative by Patrick Branly
Numerous period images
33 Colour profiles by Richard J Caruana
Seven (7) specially commissioned kit builds in three scales: 1/72, 1/48 and 1/144.
Orders can be placed via Valiant Wings website www.valiant-wings.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1234 273434 or by writing to:
Valiant Wings Publishing Ltd, 8, West Grove, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 BT, UK
Airframe Extra No 10 - The Battle of Midway is also available from good specialist bookshops and hobby shops worldwide.
Highly Recommended!
