Military Model Scene

Title: UTI MiG-15 and Licence Build Versions
Author: Lechoslaw Musialkowski
Publisher: Stratus
ISBN: 978083-67227-46-9

Number 37 in the Polish Wings series from Polish publishers Stratus, via their importer/distributors, Casemate UK. A 112-page soft-cover book.
Another in this excellent series charting the history of aircraft flown by Polish pilots, in this case during the period of the Cold War while Poland was a part of the Warsaw Pact. This one tackling the two-seat variants of the classic Soviet post-war jet, the MiG-15. The book is split into sections, each covering the major variants. It starts with the Russian supplied UTI MiG-15 as well as the Czechoslovakian licence built version, the CS-102, These were all primarily trainers, though plenty were later converted for use as reconnaissance and artillery observation aircraft. Converted at Polish maintenance facilities, there are the SBLim-1, SBLim-2, SBLim-1 Art, SBLim-2 Art, and finally the SBLim-2M, where the previously converted Artillery observation aircraft were converted back into trainers as they found they simply didn't have enough. To close the book, there is a section devoted to the camouflage and colours. While the bulk of these aircraft were in a natural metal/light grey finishes, many were later given some elaborate camouflage patterns. Throughout the book, and each section, it tells us the details of them as well as illustrating them all with plenty of archive photos and a collection of excellent colour profiles spread throughout the book.
Ideal for aircraft enthusiasts and modellers, the very full captions to both the artwork profiles and the photos give so much more detailed information. The Tactical Numbers seen on most are explained, though when I saw one photo, I couldn't help but let my mind wander to just who did fly aircraft 007! Seriously though, another excellent addition to this series, and the sheer numbers of aircraft involved in this case will, I suspect, surprise many readers.
Thanks to Casemate UK for the review copy.

Robin