Kagero's Messerschmitt Bf-109F: Ace Maker

Author:

Marek J. Murawski

Publisher

Kagero

Price

23.59 Euros

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Notes: 184 pages, softbound, A4 format,
ISBN: 978-83-62878-49-9

I know that many of you are thinking "Another 109 book?", but there are those of us who do not think that there can be too many 109 books and Kagero has always done a first rate job of their products. This one concentrates on the Bf-109F, a plane that did not go through the plethora of changes and add on sets that the 109G series went through. It makes things pretty simple.

Loaded with photographs, scale drawings, color profiles and illustrations, this is one of the best books produced on this important WWII aircraft. It is designed as much for scale modelers as it is for the aviation enthusiast as it includes full plans with sections in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale in the write-up and separate fold-out plans in 1/32 scale.

We learn the developmental history of the F model along with its use in combat. Throughout the first half of the book are pilot stories from many of the aces who flew this aircraft including Molders, Marseille, Galland and others. These cover all the major theaters of operation in which the 109F was flown. We also get information on the other air arms who flew this plane.

Pages from the maintenance manual in German are included so we can see not only how the plane was put together, but also what was required to keep it in the air. It is all capped off with 44 full color profiles showing a number of interesting camouflage schemes. Some of these are in three view.

In all, it makes for a superb read and an excellent reference book for the enthusiast and modeler alike. It is a book that I can easily give my highest recommendation. Purchase this one with confidence.

February 2013

Review book courtesy of the fine folks at Kagero. Visit the link to the left to order your own.

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