Military Model Scene

Title: Boeing B-29
Author: Ben Skipper
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39904-064-8

Rather appropriately number 29 in the FlightCraft series from Pen & Sword, author Ben Skipper has tured his attention to the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. A 96-page soft-cover book in the now standard layout for this popular series of books for modellers.
The first 45-pages cover the real thing, the development and history of this heavy bomber, which was so widely used during the war in the Pacific. A larger development which had learnt lessons from the B-17, and which made use of pressurised cabins for the crew members, allowing them to operate at higher altitudes. Among other things I hadn't realised before it was accepted into service before all the problems had been ironed out, and these were sorted while it was in use. Perhaps the most famous part it played in the war, possibly in history, was to have carried out the atomic bomb missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It went on to serve during the Korean War and in service with the RAF as the Washington. There were also 'copies' built and operated by Russia, the Tupolev Tu-4 , and by Communist China, as the KJ-1.
That is followed by a section on camouflage and markings, with 8-pages filled with 24 excellent colour profiles. That leads nicely into the second half of the book, on Modelling the B-29. A summary of kits available on the market, from the large 1/48 Revell/Monogram kit, through 1/72 by Academy, 1/144 from Minicraft and Fujimi, right down to 1/700 from Pit Road. Then 4 showcase builds, including a 1/48 Enola Gay by Colin Higton and 3 1/72 builds from Brian Richardson, one of which also includes the building of the Airfix US Ground Support vehicles.
Given the constraints of the series format, I think Ben has done a fine job of fitting everything in to this latest addition to the FlightCraft series and I am confident that aircraft modellers will enjoy it and find some ideas and inspiration for their own B-29 builds, in whichever scale you prefer.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin