Czytaj recenzję

• ScaleModellingnow.com • 2015-01-23
• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2015-01-23
• IPMSUSA.org • 2015-01-23
• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2015-01-23
• Model Aircraft 12/2011 • 2015-01-23
• SAM October 2011 • 2015-01-23
• Military Modelling • 2015-01-23
• SAMI Vol. 17/8 • 2015-01-23
• Aeroplane 01/2012 • 2015-01-23
• Model Airplane International 01/12 • 2015-01-23

• ScaleModellingnow.com • 2015-01-23

  Review by: Geoff Coughlin

  A detailed photo album of Polish Air Force aircraft and equipment during September 1939, the second of two volumes. This book contains previously unpublished photos taken by German soldiers during the invasion of Poland.

  A fascinating and, as far as I’m aware, new approach to this aspect of hostilities in wartime Poland. Seen through the lenses of the best photographic equipment available in 1939 means that the quality of the huge number of images included is very high. This second volume continues the themes covered in Volume 1, completing the survey of all PAF units and bases involved in the 1939 campaign.

  As very few photos survived of Polish military aircraft in 1939 before the German invasion, those that are reproduced here give the best possible information on the colours and markings used in that period. Almost all of the military aircraft in use at that time, plus many of the civil airliners, light aircraft and gliders, are represented here.

  The book contains 26 airfield maps and a full index of the aircraft photographed in both volumes.

  This is clearly going to be an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the subject, from aviation historians to scale modellers.

  A modelling perspective… By simple definition of the fact that this is a huge photo album with high quality images should ensure that this volume will be of interest to scale modellers.

  With increasing numbers of Polish aircraft being kitted and availability increasing especially from European manufacturers, I think that this new text should prove popular.

  A simple fact is, that as most of the images have been taken by German soldiers during and after the 1939 campaign in which the PAF took many casualties and lost many aircraft, many of the images depict crashed or damaged airframes. Now this may sound insensitive, but I can assure you that is absolutely not my intention, but the diorama possibilities are great given the range of images included.

  I really have grown to like this book a lot, after all, it’s not that common to see multiple images of types like the PZL IIc, PZL 23, PZL 43a and RWD-8.

  Get hold of this volume and you will discover a potentially whole new world of modelling interest.

  Recommended.

  Geoff C.

• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2015-01-23

  Another interesting photo collection, 5 Aug 2011

  By B. Olsen (Norway)

  Together with Vol. 1 in the same series, this book makes available an extensive collection of photos mainly taken by German soldiers after the end of the Polish Campaign. Many show wrecks, but there are also quite a few of aircraft that are only slightly damaged or even undamaged. Where information is available captions are quite detailed, and each chapter has a brief introduction describing operations.

  This volume also has a couple of chapters describing ex-Polish aircaft in foreign service, mainly with Germany's allies. Both books can be recommended to those with an interested in Polish aircraft and aviation, as well as to modellers.

• IPMSUSA.org • 2015-01-23

  This is the second volume that deals with the Polish Air Force after the German invasion in 1939. Pictures of Polish aircraft are very rare, especially before the pre-war period. This was a security protocol implemented by the Polish government. Because of the success of this protocol, there are very few photos of the aircraft used by the Polish Air Force. The conquering Germans are therefore the best reference for the airplanes. Needless to say, most of these pictures are previously unpublished.

  This book picks up where the other one left off with more airfields, this time concentrating on the ones located in the Silesia, Lublin and Wilno regions. Most airfields are shown in twenty six maps. As with the first volume, you are treated with photos of a wide variety of aircraft, including PZLs and RWDs. Nicer yet, for some reason there are more photos of intact or less damaged aircraft at these airfields. There are unit emblems on some of the PZL.23 Karas and some PZL.11s. The unit emblems are some of the most elaborate and colorful markings ever applied. I really like the look of the PZL.37 bomber. It is a very streamlined looking aircraft.

  The photos are black and white. Most are very clear and are large enough to be useful to the modeler. If you have a Mirage model you will find these books invaluable. They are likely to be the best references you are going to find on the Polish aircraft. This is the first time I’ve seen a camouflage pattern applied to a Polish aircraft. T

  he Germans not only photographed the aircraft but they used them in propaganda films. This volume includes stills from German propaganda films. There is a chapter that deals with aircraft that were evacuated after the German and Soviet invasions. The aircraft were flown to Romania on 17-18 September. Interestingly, this is the first time that we see operational Polish aircraft, albeit painted in Rumanian markings. Personally, I love the look of the gliders. Then there is a chapter that deals with captured aircraft in German and Soviet markings. This is a Luftwaffe modelers dream – plenty of unique aircraft in unique markings.

  Included at the end is an index for each type of plane in both volumes which will help the model builder on his quest for information. Also included is a really nice drawing printed on high quality paper that is suitable for framing. I’m not sure what type it is.

  Highly recommended You can obtain yours by contacting Casemate in the US at www.casematepublishing.com.

  Reviewed by: Floyd S. Werner, Jr. IPMS #26266

• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2015-01-23

  This latest volume from the MMP stable is the second volume in their "Polish Airforce through German eyes" series. I did not have the pleasure of seeing the first volume, so can make no comparisons and will review this book on its own merits.

  With photographs of Polish military aircraft in the years leading up to WW2 being extremely scarce, the best single source of material for aircraft in service, camouflage, markings and insignia are those taken by the invading German forces; these could be snapshots taken by individual soldiers or official photographs taken by cameramen attached to military units.

  The first book apparently covered certain PAF units and bases and this second volume completes the story, covering those not appearing in the first volume. Four major areas are covered: Silesia and Malopolska; Lublin and the Podlasie Region; the Wilno region; and Podole. The book is completed with some photographs from unrecognised locations, the evacuation of some aircraft in 1939 and a very interesting section of aircraft that subsequently served under the occupants' air forces.

  The book is literally crammed full of photographs, only a couple of which I had ever seen before. To give a flavour of the contents, I have chosen to show the second Los prototype, PZL.37/II at Krosno airfield (below);

  a PZL.11c in experimental camouflage (above); a downed Los bomber being set on fire (below);

  a PWS-26 at Wilno-Porubanek airfield (above), also showing the style of geographical diagrams used in the book; and, best of all, some light aircraft from the Cracow Aero Club, mainly RWD-8a's (below)

  For aviation historians or PAF modellers, this is an excellent purchase full of high quality photographs and reference material. I have only 2 slightly negative comments, which is rare nowadays for any MMP book: I could have done with a little more background and explanatory text - what is written is good quality, but I felt the book would have benefitted from a little more; and I also think that the book is a little overpriced, particularly in comparison with other excellent releases from MMP. However, I have no doubt that this volume will sell extremely well.

  So what do we think?

  A rewarding and comprehensive photographic record of the PAF seen through German eyes that will find many buyers.

  Our thanks to MMP for the review sample.

  Robin Jenkins

• Model Aircraft 12/2011 • 2015-01-23
  
• SAM October 2011 • 2015-01-23
  
• Military Modelling • 2015-01-23
  
• SAMI Vol. 17/8 • 2015-01-23
  
• Aeroplane 01/2012 • 2015-01-23
  
• Model Airplane International 01/12 • 2015-01-23