The latest title from this very prolific publisher is Hind in Detail Mil Mi -24 and all variants. In the blue line Present Aircraft Line no 4. The Authors are Franti Koran, Jaroslav Spacek, and Jan Martinec. Published by RAK, PO box 35, 170-06, Prague 7, Czech Republic, ISBN no 80-86416-13-5.

Published in colour with some black and white photographs and entirely in English. It is published in the now familiar landscape format on very high quality paper. In its 168 pages the following details can be seen, it has a staggering 700 high quality colour photographs and 14 black and white with 16 black and white line profiles of the various types. This is backed up with 5 black and white illustrations to help clarify points which may not stand out or are partially hidden in the photographs, lastly it contains two full pages of full colour artwork of the highest standard possible. They are true masterpieces in their own right. Price varies from country to country but in the UK it retails for approx £18-50. (In the US it is $35-40. Ed)

The layout of this book has change slightly for the better as it is now colour coded on the top right hand side of the pages. Just turn to the index for the section you require ie dark blue and turn to it and instantly it takes you to Mi -24 Hind D, very simple and very easy to use. The Editor is to be congratulated on this innovated idea.

Spilt into all the usual sections too many to list here but if you have bought any of the previous titles you know the format. Each new page is a path to discovery, whether it is engine details or the undercarriage and the section on the cockpit is staggering; even the vast range of weapons is fully covered, down to the instillation markings.

Conclusion, once more Franti has set new standards for other to copy. The layout and standard of photography; line drawings and colour profiles are hard to better. If you are into building any of the types of the Hind Series of helicopters this is the book for you, for it is a modellers dream, every tiny detail is fully explored and I can say with confidence even the military users will find this book very useful. I know a lot of museums lucky enough to have a Hind in their collections are going to use it in the restoration and preservation.

As a footnote I was lucky enough to receive this review copy in time to take it to Scale Model World 2001 show, there I was able to show it to several modellers who build Russian aircraft and helicopters in particular. Double lucky for me one of the dealers had just received his stock of them in time for the show. I was able to keep my copy from their grasping hands and I know from speaking to the dealer they sold like hot cakes.

The feedback I got from both the dealer and modellers was just great; one modeller even bought four copies for friends not lucky enough to make it the show and to take back with him to his home country for them.

An other winner for Franti and his team they are to be congratulated once again for providing such a wealth of detail all in one book, this is going to stand the test of time and become the standard reference book on the Mi 24 Hind. Go out and buy it with confidence you will not be disappointed, an other one to add to the reference section.

Many thanks to Franti for the advance copy for review.