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• Hyperscale • 2009-03-20
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-20
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-20

• Hyperscale • 2009-03-20
  This volume is the latest in Mushroom Model Magazine’s Blue Series which focuses on specific pilots and squadrons. This monograph focuses on the RAF’s Number 315 (Polish) Squadron. The Squadron’s code of PK and its emblem of a fighting game cock in a triangle are almost instantly recognizable to anyone interested in the RAF and the Polish Air Force. 315 Squadron was the tenth Polish squadron formed in Britain and the fifth Polish day fighter squadron. It was also the squadron with which a young pilot named Francis Gabreski received combat experience before joining a USAAF unit. He flew eleven sorties with the Squadron during January and February 1943. The book recounts the history and experiences of the 315 Squadron. But, for all practical purposes, the prose is not much more than a brief introduction to the extensive collection of pictures that cover each period of the Squadron’s existence. As was the case with the Eagle Squadron, it seems that newly formed squadrons of non-British flyers, like the 315 squadron, inherited run down Hurricanes. But, it was not long before they moved up to Spitfires and then onto Mustang IIIs. This monograph is full of great pictures of the Hurricanes, Spitfires and Mustangs that wore the PK code letters and the pilots who flew them. The monograph concludes with the post war experience of the 315 Squadron, including a couple of picture of natural metal Mustang IIIs in the Squadron’s marking. For those who love the specific of the 315 Squadron, the appendices are excellent. There is a list of commanding officers, those killed in action, the names of the Squadron’s pilots, losses, victories and a listing of the aircraft and the serial numbers and the codes that were applied. My only criticism is that I would have liked to have had a preface that gave an overview of the Polish Air Force and its integration into the RAF. As this is the first volume that deals with the PAF squadrons in the RAF, an overview would have been helpful to put the 315 Squadron in historical and organizational context. But that one shortcoming does not diminish the overall impact of this book. I know that the Polish modeling community is growing, and I am sure this monograph will be welcome not only by them, but also by aviation history enthusiasts and modelers in general. Recommended.
• Internet Modeler • 2009-03-20
  The people at Mushroom Model Publications continue to put out great titles, with their latest in the Blue Series looking at 315 (Polish) Squadron. This squadron was the tenth Polish squadron created in the RAF, and it had an interesting history during the Second World War. To provide a complete history of the unit, the authors draw upon personal recollections and national archival materials, creating a thorough look at the operations of this one unit. The text starts out in January of 1941, when 315 Squadron was formed. At this time, the unit was equipped with Hawker Hurricanes, and the unit used these old, worn out airframes to build time and practice fighting techniques. While a few intercepts were made with Hurricanes, by July of 1941 the unit had switched mounts and locations, picking up Supermarine Spitfires and moving to Northolt. The time flying the Spitfire was the most numerous for 315 Squadron, and the majority of the book deals with this period. During this time, the unit moved around to several bases, all of which are carefully detailed in the text. Operations against the Luftwaffe also is described in detail, including intercepts against Luftwaffe reconnaissance intruders while the unit was on resting duty in the north. By April of 1944, the unit changed planes again, this time picking up the Mustang. The unit finished out the war with the Mustang, a dramatic change from the original Hurricanes they started out with. During the Normandy invasion, 315 Squadron provided top cover to the invading forces, with several pilots gaining victories. As the war came to a close, the unit also intercepted V-1s. After the war, the unit continued to serve with the RAF, finally being disbanded in 1947. In addition to the fascinating text, the book is packed full of excellent photos showing the unit's aircraft in great detail. Going through the photos alone will take lots of time, and undoubtedly will yield some great inspiration for some Spitfire or Mustang models. To add to these photos, the last several pages are filled with some great color profiles covering the entire operational history of 315 Squadron. Additionally, there are several appendices listing the pilots, losses, victories, and commanding officers of 315 Squadron. For those who are interested in more than just a specific plane type, this is an excellent book. The detailed unit history is very well done and makes for a fascinating read, while the photos offer up many interesting aircraft for the modeler to build.
• Modeling Madness • 2009-03-20
  The latest from Mushroom Models follows is a fine squadron history, this time concentrating on 315 (Polish) squadron 'Deblin'). Formed in early 1941 and initially flying clapped-out Hurricane I aircraft, the squadron then moved on to Spitfire V and IX before finally settling with the Mustang III. Unlike most American squadrons, 315 was involved in a number of different missions through-out its career, from fighter escort, to night fighter, to ground attack and in between doing air defense, patrol and anti-'Diver' work. Throughout the book are a large number of excellent photos, most taken from private collections and seen here for the first time. There are also a goodly number of excellent color profiles as well as tables of all known squadron aircraft, pilot losses, and victories. All are packed into a larger than usual volume of 136 pages. I found the book to be a fascinating read and one that you will want to have.