From  Mushroom Model Publications comes one of a series of special books. Others in the series are/will focus on events or personalities. This one focuses on the equipment; specifically the Bf-109E. Now those that know me are aware that I am a dyed-in-the-wool 109 nut. I like everything about the aircraft and eagerly read up on anything I find of interest about the aircraft. It was with much delight when I opened up a parcel from Mushroom Model Publications and found this book in it.

The book is approximately the same size as the Osprey publications and contains 80 pages of photos and drawings. There are also a large number of color profiles and color photos of various museum and warbird 109Es to help illustrate the book. All of the images and drawings are very sharp and well done. A large number of illustrations are taken out of a maintenance handbook to help to show the differences between the sub types.

The author states in the opening section that this book is not a detailed history, nor does it go into depth on technical descriptions or have any war stories. The purpose of this book is to show "...how the Bf-109E changed during production, and how to recognize different variants....". In that, the book is spot on and succeeds admirably at its task.

The book is broken down as such:

• A very brief history with data sheet

• A large section on versions. Each page in this takes a specific point of view and illustrates it with both drawings, diagrams, period photos and photos of museum aircraft. Leaves no doubt at all as to what goes with what variant.

• A couple of pages of profiles

• The 'Details' section. Here is where you get a number of images from museum aircraft as well as pages from tech manuals to show what each section of the aircraft looks like. Interspersed with all this are color profiles as well as some period photographs. 

The profiles in particular are very well done, with only two to a page so they are really quite large.

I can't say enough about how truly helpful this book will be to those modeling the Bf-109E. If you are just interesting the aircraft and want to know the differences between the subtypes, this is a nice, easy reference. If you are a superdetailer kind of modeler, you will find this indispensable.

In case you cannot already guess, this book is highly recommended!

Please visit Mushroom Models Publications at their website listed below if you cannot find them locally.

Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for providing the review copy. Your support is appreciated.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that averages over 2,500 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.