| Anderton D. A., Gunston B., Mason F. K., Warplanes & Fighters of World War II, 2002, ISBN- 075[zasłonięte]5370 WARPLANES & FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II traces the development and combat histories of American, British and German warplanes of the Second World War. A compilation of three previously published books, it offers comprehensive text by three noted aviation authors and tons of spectacular color profiles, photographs, etc. Modellers and air war enthusiasts will find much to enjoy in this British import. WARPLANES & FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II was slapped together from three Octopus Publishing titles done in the early 1980s: AMERICAN FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II by David Anderton; BRITISH FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II by Bill Gunston; and GERMAN WARPLANES OF WORLD WAR II by Francis K. Mason. All three authors are well-known and respected so no problems with the text. Typically British in nature, it's eminently readable and somewhat dry. Don't expect any first-person reminiscences or 'yank-and-bank' accounts. In terms of illustrations, the book is a visual treat - 500+ color profiles, cutaways, diagrams and photographs. The profiles and three-views done by John Weal, Keith Fretwell and others are drop-dead gorgeous. They range in subject from examples of single aircraft, such as the F4U-2 on page 57, to multiple profiles of a single aircraft - the Gloster Gladiator profiles on p. 95 - to 'theme' pages such as the profiles of FW 190s and a lone Ar 234B on p. 223. Color three-views of various aircraft are scattered throughout the book. If some of the color artwork and photos look familiar, it's because they've been recycled/reshuffled from earlier Octopus Publishing/Aerospace Publishing books and magazine articles...so, buyer beware. Given the wealth of illustrative material, WARPLANES & FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II is an easy purchase to recommend. The text is perfectly adequate but the artwork is the draw. Originally selling for around $25.00, the book is now available at bargain prices. Pick up a copy and revel in all that glorious color! Recommended. Książka w oprawie twardej z obwolutą, stan dobry plus, s. 235 |
