As mentioned in an earlier magazine review, Guildhall Publications has been busy producing a number of books and magazines for enthusiasts. Included in a packet that I received from them was this Photo Profile+. Apparently it is the first in a planned series. 

The subject of the first one is the Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah. This 32 page, A-4 format book is color from cover to cover. The photography is super and the book is pretty much a 'walk-around' of the Ki-46 that is held at the Aerospace Museum at Cosford. This aircraft was refurbished at RAF St. Athan about 15 or so years ago. It is as close to original as it can be.

So, let's take a look at what is in the book:

The first page is a brief history of the Ki-46. Next, there is a section on the variants of the Ki-46 along with some profile drawings of them to help illustrate the differences. Along with this section is a short list of available kits of the Ki-46 in 1/72 and 1/48. There is also a short list of references if you want more information.

Page four is a drawing of the instrument panel along with a table showing what instrument is where. Following this is the bulk of the book. Each page has several photographs of various parts of the aircraft from different angles. Each photo has a nice large-print caption so that you know what you are looking at.

The folks at Cosford gave the photographers access to the aircraft so that they could produce superb coverage of this aircraft. About a third of the book covers the cockpit and the gunner/navigator's section. Much of the original equipment is still in the aircraft. There is also very good coverage of the landing gear and gear wells. Apparently the engines were not in good shape as there are no photos of these. There is a note in the end that no information is available on the colors used in restoration. It is recommended that these colors not be taken as gospel and that other references be sought concerning this area.

Overall this really is a super book. I can heartily recommend it to those who have an interest in the aircraft and especially to those working on the Tamiya kit. After all, this is what they took their measurements from. It is the only surviving Ki-46. The next books are on the Lancaster and F-15C/E/I.

Copy courtesy of those kind folks at Guildhall Publications. Visit their website for more interesting books and magazines.

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