Military Model Scene

Title: The Douglas Boston in RAAF Service
Author: Michael John Claringbould
Publisher: Avonmore Books
ISBN: 978-0-9756423-4-4

No 22 Squadron 1942-1944, a new book detailing the history of the Douglas Boston light bomber, in use with the one squadron, operating from New Guinea, in RAAF Pacific service. A 148-page soft-cover book.
The book sets out the combat story of the Boston in RAAF service, and aircraft type that was initially unusual for the service, but they took them on as they had originally ordered by the Dutch East Indies, but with Japanese invasion, they were diverted to the RAAF instead. The story explains how they went into service with 22 squadron, and with a number of early accidents, particularly surrounding the use of small 20 pounder bombs. After a chapter going through colours and technical details, the remainder provide a chronological story of the Boston in service with the RAAF, the squadron moving bases as their targets moved with the course of events, from airfields at Wards, Vivigani, Kiriwina, Noemfoor and Morotai. Many missions revolved around ground attack, with their nose mounted guns, especially against Japanese supply barges, which remained a regular target. There were many successful missions, and some which were less so and it records a number of losses, one or two of which have not been traced to this day. Initially using the DB7B model, they were later equipped with the later A20G, a variant lent to them by US forces, and which had a powered turret rather than the manual gun operated from the rear cockpit. The book is rounded off with an Appendix which contains 38 colour profiles of specific machine, including a few Japanese aircraft plus a more unusual one used by RAAF air sea rescue, a Dornier Do 24K. The Boston was finally retired in December 1944 when 22 squadron transitioned to operating Beaufighters.
Another fascinating book from the author, who is renowned for his expertise in the aerial war in the Pacific during WW2. Sparked by his involvement in the recovery of an example of a Boston from New Guinea in 1984, this provides a detailed account of their operations in the Pacific theatre, and for the keen modellers among us, first class detail on camouflage and marking schemes that will help you get a model 'just right'. It makes for a very interesting story, and offers a fine tribute to the airmen who operated these aircraft in New Guinea during the war.
Thanks to importers Script Books for the review copy.

Robin