This is #26 in their mini Top Colors series and covers eight aircraft, mostly Bf-109s with an He-111P and a Bf-110C tossed in just to add some interest to things.  Like others in this series, it is a bit difficult to categorize. Is it a book with a huge decal sheet or a huge decal sheet that has the world's largest  color and markings guide?

Regardless, the art work is superb, with the right and left side profiles filling one page. The other has upper plan view with the underside of the wings alone to show paint and markings. Each one of these subjects is based on photos and Kagero provide the references for the origin of these markings. Naturally, there is some conjecture involved, especially where the images are not complete, but they are based on the norms of the unit in question and are as accurate as they can be.

Here is what comes in the set.  

- Bf 109 E-3; 'White Chevron', flown by Hptm. Hubertus von Bonin, Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 54, Eindhoven, early summer 1940
- Bf 109 E-4; W.Nr. 5274, 'White 15', flown by Ofw.Werner Machold of 1./JG 2, Beaumont-le-Roger, summer 1940
- Bf 109 E-4; W.Nr. 1159, 'White 7', flown by Lt. Josef Bürschgens of 7./JG 26, Caffiers, 11 August 1940
- Bf 109 E-4; 'White 11', flown by Lt. Alfons Raich of 7./JG 3, Desvres, September 1940
- Bf 109 E-4; 'White 8', flown by Hptm. Hans-Karl Mayer, Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 53, Etaples, September 1940
- Bf 109 E-4/B; 'Black 6' of 5./JG 51, Mardyck, autumn 1940
- He 111 P-2; W.Nr. 2149, coded 'G1+JL' of 3./KG 55, France, summer 1940 (1:32 and 1:72 decals only)
- Bf 110 C-2; W.Nr. 3533, coded 'L1+LL' of 15.(Z)/LG 1, crew: pilot - Oblt. Otto Weckeiser, radio operator - Uffz. Horst Brügow; Socketts Manor, Oxted, 27 September 1940

To modelers, a highlight of the book is a superbly printed decal sheet that offers the unique markings for each subject in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales. Fortunately for us all, at this time in the hobby's development, there are quality kits of all these planes available. The sheet itself is printed by Cartograf so you know that you are getting one of the best around.

In all, it is a great offering and one that Luftwaffe fans should not pass up.

October 2011

Review book courtesy of the fine folks at Kagero. Visit them for more books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.