The de Havilland Mosquito Part 1: Bomber & Photo-Reconnaissance, by Richard A. Franks (Valiant Wings)

Valiant Wings Publishing are well known for their Airframe & Miniature series of books, which include as much information about an aircraft & the relevant scale model kits in one place as possible, and their latest book on the Mosquito is looking excellent indeed.

This eighth title in the much acclaimed “Airframe & Miniature” series contain more than 192 pages, packed with vital information that no active modeller and Mosquito enthusiast should be without.

It is an essential companion for anyone tackling the Tamiya (1/72, 1/48 & 1/32 scale), Airfix (1/24 scale - new tool) and even some of the older kits in 1/72nd scale. This series of books offers everything that modern modellers want when they are tackling a specific subject. 

Contents include a wealth of historical photographs; period detail images during production and service use; 55 isometric views by Wojciech Sankowski (very detailed, with captions and arrows showing the difference between all the bomber, PR and Target Tug machines to assist you in making them); more than 30 colour profiles by Richard J. Caruana. Many of the photographs are in colour, including some excellent photos of the cockpit and other useful details of the real aircraft. Also included are many diagrams showing internal detail systems, landing gear, flaps, sights, cameras, weapons, engines, etc. We particularly liked the many close-up photos of the various internal and external details of the aircraft (eg many diagrams showing the bomb loading arrangement with different kind of weapons, alternative bomb loads, access panels, cameras, bomb sights, the prototype’s W4050 leading edge slats extended, etc), which are very helpful to the modeller. As usual the quality of printing, binding, paper, photography and text are first class and this is a book highly recommended to all modellers interested in the Mosquito aircraft.

The de Havilland Mosquito Part 1 contains:

20 pages of historical and development information

25+ pages of technical information (evolution of bomber, PR versions & other variants)

65+ pages of walk-around images and technical diagrams, using photos of 5 preserved examples of the Mosquito from various museums

25+ pages of camouflage and markings

25+ pages of model builds and modelling information

200+ photographs including wartime images (some in colour)

30+ Colour side views and four-views (profiles) by Richard J. Caruana

30 pages of 3D isometric views of all bomber and PR variants by Wojciech Sankowski

Specially commissioned extensive full kit builds by Libor Jekl and Steve A. Evans of the 1/72nd scale Tamiya B Mk IV, plus another converted to B Mk XVI, 1/48th scale Airfix PR Mk XVI and 1/32nd scale HK Models B Mk IV Series II kits.

Specially commissioned front cover artwork by Jerry Boucher

A full set of fold-out 1/48th scale plans (8 pages) in heavy/sturdy paper, by R.J. Caruana (very useful to the modeller, especially the full upper view plans!)

Lists of all Mosquito kits, accessories and decals produced in all scales.

192 pages in total!

If you are going to build any scale model of the Mosquito in detail you must buy & study this book thoroughly indeed. Definitely a must-have and we will be waiting for Part 2 volume with even more anticipation!

Orders can be made via the Valiant Wings website (see link below), by phone on 01234 273434 (+44 1234 273434 if calling from outside the UK) or by writing to:

Valiant Wings Publishing
8 West Grove
Bedford
MK40 4BT

The book is also available from all good hobby stores and specialist bookshops.

Price is 18.95 GBP and you can order using the following link:

http://www.valiant-wings.co.uk/airframe--miniature-no8-683-p.asp