Vickers Wellington

Vickers Wellington (Warpaint Series 10) By Alan W Hall
Publisher: Hall Park Books LTD 1985 | 32 Pages | ASIN: B001QFC5L0 | PDF | 17 MB

The Vickers Wellington was one of those aircraft that seemed to go on for ever. In spite of the glamour and publicity gained by the Lancaster and Halifax, Wellingtons flew operationally for much longer during World War 2 and were still in widespread use for some considerable time afterwards as trainer aircraft, both for pilots of multi-engined aircraft and as crew trainers.

Wellingtons served in Bomber, Coastal and Flying Training Commands, adopted civil markings post-war and were invaluable platforms for a number of engine and airframe modifications that required air testing.

When production finally ceased there had been 11,461 Wellingtons built, making it one of the most prolific bombers of World War 2. It is therefore surprising that only one Mk. X trainer still exists apart from the remains of a Mk. I that was raised from Loch Ness, Scotland in September 1985, and at the time of writing, was almost completely re-built by enthusiasts at Brooklands Museum.

Japanese Submarine Aircraft

Japanese Submarine Aircraft (Mushroom Red Series 5103) By Tadeusz Januszewski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2002 | 128 Pages | ISBN: 8391632725 | PDF | 11 MB

The first English language book to describe in detail the aircraft carried by Japan's extensive submarine fleet in World War Two. More than any other nation, Japan designed, built and operated aircraft launched from submarines, using them for reconnaissance and also (uniquely) for bombing and attack missions. This fascinating history of an under-published aspect of World War Two aviation warfare is illustrated with photographs, scale plans (1/72) and full colour illustrations. Colour photos of preserved Seiran.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Warpaint Special No. 1 - Republic P-47 Thunderbolt By Alan W. Hall
Publisher: Hall Park Books 2004 | 92 Pages | ASIN: B00131QMUM | PDF | 43 MB

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the most significant fighters of World War 2. It served throughout the world in many air forces on the Allied side and was developed into a hard-hitting fighter-bomber, particularly in the European theatre, both in Italy and over France, the Low Countries and Germany. In the Far East, it was significant in being one of the best aircraft developed for longer range work and-ground attack when in use by the Royal Air Force in Burma. In United States Army Air Force eyes it ranked equal to the P-51 Mustang and P-38 Lightning.

Lockheed Hudson Mk. I to Mk. VI

Warpaint Series No. 59 - Lockheed Hudson Mk. I to Mk. VI By Alan W. Hall
Publisher: Warpaint Books 1999 | 37 Pages | ASIN: B000ZAVT8C | PDF | 37 MB

During the mid-1930s great advances were made in aeronautical design and engineering, new more powerful engines were developed allowing greater distances to be flown and both freight and passengers transported across continents. The North Atlantic had been flown by both multi and single engined aircraft and both in Europe and North America aircraft such as the Lockheed 14, Douglas DC-3 and the Boeing 247D were establishing regular passenger routes which implied scheduled services, accurate navigation and fares that could be reached by the rich and famous. In Europe a number of airlines bought American manufactured aircraft which were supplemented by such types as the Junkers Ju 52/3m in Germany and the Ensign and Albatross in Britain apart from the Empire flying boats...

Lockheed Hudson Mk. I to Mk. VI

Warpaint Series No. 59 - Lockheed Hudson Mk. I to Mk. VI By Alan W. Hall
Publisher: Warpaint Books 1999 | 37 Pages | ASIN: B000ZAVT8C | PDF | 37 MB

During the mid-1930s great advances were made in aeronautical design and engineering, new more powerful engines were developed allowing greater distances to be flown and both freight and passengers transported across continents. The North Atlantic had been flown by both multi and single engined aircraft and both in Europe and North America aircraft such as the Lockheed 14, Douglas DC-3 and the Boeing 247D were establishing regular passenger routes which implied scheduled services, accurate navigation and fares that could be reached by the rich and famous. In Europe a number of airlines bought American manufactured aircraft which were supplemented by such types as the Junkers Ju 52/3m in Germany and the Ensign and Albatross in Britain apart from the Empire flying boats...

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6

Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 (Kagero Topshots № 4) By Zelechowski, Miroslaw
Publisher: Kagero 2005 | 36 Pages | ISBN: 8389088681 | PDF | 16 MB

The Messerschmitt 109 G-6 was the most numerous subtype of the Luftwaffe's basic front-line fighter. Equipped with Daimler-Benz DB 605 A-l engine rated at 1574 hp, it was able to reach the speed of 640 kph at 6000 metres. Its armament comprised twin MG 131 13 mm heavy machine guns and a single MG 151/20E 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller's hollow shaft. The first Bf 109 G-6s were delivered to German fighter units in February and March 1943.

Following several modifications, the type served in the first line until mid-1944. Some of the aircraft were assigned to fighter pilot schools, including the so-called combat training units.

GC 1/145 in France 1940

GC 1/145 in France 1940 (Mushroom Blue Series 7102) By Bartlomiej Belcarz
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2003 | 96 Pages | ISBN: 839171781X | PDF | 17 MB

This is the combat history of Polish squadron 1/145 which fought under the leadership of Major Kepinski in the Battle of France in 1940. It provides full details of the unit's aces and victories/losses, plus details of the aircraft flown. It is illustrated with photographs, full colour artwork, scale plans and maps. Bartlomiej Belcarz has researched the air war in France in 1939/40 in great detail to PhD level. He has previously written several books & articles; his work is well known to military & aviation enthusiasts. * This will be the first ever book in English describing the heroic exploits of this World War Two aviation unit. * Superb colour illustrations of camouflage and markings, walk-around colour photographs and rare b+w archive photographs. * Essential reading for aviation enthusiasts & scale aeromodellers. Additionaly scale plans and 20+ colour pages with photos of preserved Caudrons in Paris and Finnland. museums.

Mitsubishi A6M Zero

Mitsubishi A6M Zero (Mushroom Yellow Series 6103) By Artur Juszczak
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2001 | 96 Pages | ISBN: 8373000852 | PDF | 38 MB

The illustrated technical history of the most famous Japanese warplane of World War Two. The different versions of the plane, from the 1940 prototypes to the final aircraft of 1945 are described and illustrated; all the changes in specification, equipment and performance are recorded. Drawings and data from the original technical manuals, full dimensional details and photographs of surviving examples preserved in aviation museums illustrate all aspects of the airframe, inside and out. Wartime photographs and many pages of colour illustrations complete the book's comprehensive coverage. More than 30 colour profiles.

Vickers Guns

Windsock Mini Datafile 06 - Vickers Guns By Harry Woodman
Publisher: Albatros Productions Limited 1996 | 12 Pages | ISBN: 0948414847 | PDF | 9 MB

A brief history describing the origin and development of the famous aircraft gun of 1908-18.

Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator (Mushroom Yellow Series 6104) By Alex Crawford
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2002 | 162 Pages | ISBN: 8391632709 | PDF | 44 MB

The operational history of the RAF's last biplane fighter, covering all the air forces using this famous aircraft - from Finland to China. The book includes the true story of the legendary defence of Malta. Gladiators flew operations from the burning sands of the African deserts to the frozen tundra of Finland and Russia, and all these operations are documented and illustrated. 46 colour profiles. 16 pages of colour detail's photos.

Mitsubishi J2m Raiden "Jack"

Mitsubishi J2m Raiden "Jack" (Mushroom Yellow Series 6110) By Robert Peczkowski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2004 | 128 Pages | ISBN: 8391632776 | PDF | 30 MB

This new book covers the pugnacious Japanese 'Raiden' fighter, developed at much the same time as the famous Zero and by the same team. However, the emphasis for it was on speed, rate of climb, and heavier armament. These were radical departures from the usual Japanese emphasis on light weight and manoeuverability. Given the Allied code name 'Jack', this fighter was slow to appear in JNAF service, but frorm 1943 onwards gave the Japanese Navy an effective interceptor whose importance escalated as USAAF attacks on the homeland intensified. The book describes the technical development of the Raiden, and illustrates all versions with photos and plans. The J2M2 Model 11, J2M3 Model 21, J2M4 Model 32, J2M5 Model 33 and the J2M6 Model 31 are all discussed. There are 80 pages in the book, 36 wartime black and white photos, 94 pictures taken of the sole remaining Raiden in a museum (these are walk-around type pictures and we are never told where these were taken - too bad). There are 34 full color side profiles and two of these are two views with the top shown also. There are 25 black and white line drawings showing various parts of the Raiden's anatomy and four tech data tables. Quite a bit of information!! This book will be an invaluable reference source for Japanese aviation enthusiasts, modelers and historians. Highly recommended.

Helicopter UH-1D


Helicopter UH-1D (Kagero Topshots № 35) By Ruszard T. Kominek
Publisher: Kagero 2007 | 42 Pages | ISBN: 8360445471 | PDF | 31 MB

Bell Helicopter Textron UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the "Huey", is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War. The initial designation of HU-1 (helicopter utility) led to its nickname, Huey. The UH-1 was developed as an effect of US Army trials with the Bell Model 204. In 1955 the U.S. Army awarded Bell a contract to develop the next generation turbine-powered helicopter, designated the XH-40 (renamed the Model 204). The first XH-40 flew on October 22, 1956. Bell believed the YH-40 was ideal for troop transport and cargo carrying as well as the medevac role. It was first used by the military in 1959 and went into production in 1962 as the UH-1.The official U.S. Army designation Iroquois (Army helicopters are traditionally given Native American names) was almost never used in practice.

Messerschmitt Me262: Schwalbe


Messerschmitt Me262: Schwalbe (Mushroom Yellow Series 6105) By Robert Peczkowski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2002 | 96 Pages | ISBN: 8391632733 | PDF | 40 MB

The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (German for Swallow) was the world's first operational turbojet fighter aircraft. It was produced in World War II and saw action starting in 1944 as a multi-role.

A technical history of the world's first operational jet fighter, this book illustrates all aspects of the plane, using modern photographs of restored examples, wartime photographs, excerpts from official manuals, scale plans of all day fighter versions and illustrations of camouflage and markings.

Bell P-39 Airacobra


Bell P-39 Airacobra (Mushroom Yellow Series 6106) By Robert Peczkowski, Artur Juszczak
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications 2003 | 128 Pages | ISBN: 8391632792 | PDF | 52 MB

Designed as an interceptor, when the Bell P-39 Airacobra appeared in 1941 it was acclaimed as one of the most advanced combat planes of all time. Elegantly designed and innovatively engineered (it featured the engine mid-aircraft like a racing car), it experienced mixed operational fortunes but was especially successful in the Soviet air force. This book is a full technical history of this important but neglected fighter of World War Two. It presents scale plans of all versions, many detailed photographs of surviving aircraft, full colour illustrations of the aircraft in the different liveries of its many users: USA, RAF, Soviet, French, Italian and others. * Rarely documented aspect of World War Two aviation history. * Superb colour illustrations of camouflage and markings, walkaround colour photographs and rare b+w archive photographs. * Essential reading for aviation enthusiasts & scale aero-modellers. More than 50 colour profiles.