This particular book is considered by many to be the best researched and illustrated book on the FW-190D versions. First published in 2007, this is the second edition of this tome and tome it is, with 344 pages printed on the highest quality paper. Author Jerry Crandall is a certified 190D enthusiast and so has thoroughly researched the subject to bring us not only the most accurate book on the type, but one that is an interesting read in and of itself.

Volume one covers the FW-190D-9 with other versions being taken care of in a second volume. The first thing one sees when initially thumbing through the pages is the bevy of period images, some in full color, along with excellent profile representations of various aircraft. While not all the images are new to this book (I found all of the images in a book called Broken Wings included here), many of them are and for an enthusiast, this is well worth the cover price.

But a book like this is only as good as the research that goes into it, and it is quite obvious that the research on this one is most complete. It opens with a history of the development of the 190D, which includes information on the prototypes. This also includes extant images of these important prototype aircraft. This is followed by one of the major identifying features of where the aircraft was built and that is the cowling that fits over the nose guns. These were different in their construction and some had salient features that, to the untrained eye, look the same, but once one is aware of them, is helpful in figuring out some of the pieces of the puzzle when looking at photos.  This section is followed by notes on how the various full color profiles were determined. It is very difficult in many cases to figure out colors from black and white images and even period color photos can be misleading as to the proper camouflage colors worn by an aircraft. After all, much of the interest in Luftwaffe aircraft is the wide variety of camouflage schemes that were carried. Often the scheme from one factory would be quite distinct compared to another and when you add in field modifications it gets even more interesting.

Then we get into the operational history of the plane. The first is the initial receipt of the place into combat units. I found it quite interesting that most pilots' initial feelings about the plane were not positive. Then they had a chance to fly it and their opinions changed. The next section is on the first verified victory of the 190D over an Allied aircraft. This is followed by pilot notes and descriptions of various combats with the 190D versus various aircraft types. In fact, most of the first part of the book is based on pilot interviews and log book entries, which for many is the most interesting portion of books like this.

The rest of the book, and it is quite a bit, concerns aircraft of the various units that flew the 190D-9. This section consists of photos of the aircraft and then the full color profile representation of the aircraft in the photos. The vast majority of these photos were taken at the end of the war when most of these aircraft were no longer in flight-worthy condition. In fact, many were taken on scrap heaps or of planes that had crashed and photographed by Allied intelligence.  The descriptions of the aircraft and the method of determining colors is truly fascinating and what makes books like this one so valuable to the enthusiast and modeler alike.

This is followed by an appendix section that includes pilot log book entries, JG2 situation reports and several pages of excellent 1/48 scale drawings. In all, it makes for what has to be the finest and best researched book on the subject to have yet been done. It is a book that I give my highest recommendation and one you really need to get for your library.

November 2013

Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishing, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb books and DVDs.

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