'Axis Wings' The Luftwaffe & co-belligerent air forces' compendium

[richdlc]

My thanks to Chris Clifford at Airfix / Key Model World Airfix Model World Magazine for his glowing review of our new 'Axis Wings' venture. Grab a copy before they all go!

https://www.keymodelworld.com/articl...AMKAe0HIXnNJyU

Germany’s World War Two Luftwaffe is one of the most heavily researched subjects for modellers. At this stage of the game, it’s not easy for publishers to offer anything new… but Chandos Publications is making a creditable attempt with its fresh reference series Axis Wings. Other works – such as the current Luftwaffe im Focus from Luftfahrtverlag START and Classic Publications’ previous Jagdwaffe collection – sit firmly with German materiel. However, Chandos’ new venture will also explore co-belligerent equipment and not just from 1939-45; earlier aviation is covered too.

At 184 pages, this thumping, beautifully produced debut volume certainly justifies the £40 price tag, but with around two instalments per year expected, it shouldn’t be too much of a drain on the wallet. Twelve proper chapters fill this edition, along with the closing sections dubbed Photo Album, and Luftwaffe Library and Bulletin Board. These offer varied photos with captions and news of a different publisher’s forthcoming book on a Luftwaffe theme, respectively.

If you are new to Luftwaffe modelling, the individual subjects examined here cover hugely different aspects, which are just as likely to inspire ‘old hands’. Example chapters include Nachtjagdstaffel Finland – Nachtjagdstaffel Norwegen – 4.NJG 3 (mainly Ju 88), plus Sonderstaffel Einhorn and III./KG 200: From Self-sacrifice to Surrender (Fw 190, BT 400 aerial torpedo and more). One of the most interesting – and in some ways surprising – chapters, recounts the story of the Junkers W 34 in Spain during Condor Legion employment. Other sections offer a more human element, such as with Craftsmen of Death: What was it like to be a Luftwaffe aviator. This delves into the psyche and tactics of Germany’s fighter pilots, and showcases particular aces. Actual missions are also described, a good example being via Attack on the HMT Rohna... explaining how II./KG 40 Heinkel He 177s targeted an Allied maritime convoy with Henschel Hs 293 glide bombs... but at great cost.

A superb array of period photos underpins the narrative by different noted authors (Christer Bergström and Chris Goss to name just two), but readers will also welcome the quality colour artwork depicting Luftwaffe aircraft types. Document scans, data charts and maps also help set the story and provide context.

With a truly diverse selection of subjects, Volume 1 of Axis Wings is an absolute must for anyone seeking reference and inspiration for Luftwaffe and co-belligerent aircraft builds. The narrative is engaging and informative, and the venture as a whole is in safe hands with editor Robert Forsyth. It can be ordered directly from Chandos Publications.