Customer Reviews

Battle Colors: Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II, Vol. 1: VIII Bomber Command

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I have been building plastic aircraft models since the age of about seven. My particular interest has always been that of the air war in Western Europe and the Mediterranean Theatres. Over the past eighteen years I have amassed considerable reference material on the subject of aircraft markings, camouflage patterns and insignea dealing with this period. Becuase of the extent of my library, coupled with the cost of Battle Colors, I was hesitant to invest any more money on a subject which was already well represented in my research library. I did finjally take the plunge and purchased this volume and I can now say without reservation that this is by far the best work on the subject of aircraft markings I have ever seen. This first volume is both well researched and illustrated and the print quality is superb. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the subject of 8thAF bobm unit insignia and markings. I assume that the next volum willd eal with the fighter units of the 8th and only hope this companion piece is not long in coming.

In this field of heraldry and avaition insignia with so many books already published is difficult to find sometinh new and valuable. It is the case of this book;: the moment I received it I thought it was an important addition to my library.

Not only the graphic aspect is very well done (all the data in color and very well reprodu ced)but the presenation of all the markings and insignia of 8th Air force Bomber Groups and Code letters being very exhaustive. A nice addition is a map with the geographical location of the Groups.

In short , the bset book I know in the subject, and well worth its cost.

Battle Colors: Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II: Vol.1/(VIII) Bomber Command is the first in the, thus far, three volume series by Schiffer Publications on the United States' Eighth and Ninth Air Forces during Wolrd War Two. This volume covers the bomber units of the Eighth Air Force.

The book begins by briefly describing the variations of the national insignia used and then provides - a bit incongruously - diagrams of battle formations; before laying out in detail the organization structure of the Eighth Air Force down to the squadron level.

It is after this that the main purpose of the book is delivered. The unit identification markings and insignia of every Each Bombardment Group - an organization entity of four squadrons of six aircraft each - are presented in full color across two pages. A - to this reviewer overly - brief synopsis of the basis and use of the assigned markings is given.

While short on narrative, the book lives up to its name in allowing the reader to easily identify the unit of an aircraft shown in a photo (if, of course, the markings can be discerned) or the apply specific markings to a scale model. I find the book to be valubale as a resource and will add the other two volumesd (and others) to my library.

I wish the author had seen fit to include a copy of the Army Air Force SD100 squadron code assignment orders as I have always wondered how the sequences were selected.

R.A. Watkins has done a magnificient and has scrupulously considered all questions, concerning a camouflage, marks, designations of planes, colour schemes. The problem of occurrence and development of a camouflage of military-air forces of the USA is considered in details. The drawings made by means of a computer drawing, accurately transfer colours and shades of symbols of squadrons etc. I strongly recommend the book for military historians, the persons who are taking a great interest in history of the Air Forces of the USA during the Second World War, as well as for modellers.

Though there have been many books detailing the origins and combat history of the Mighty Eighth, there haven't been any volumes, that I am aware of, that tackled the subject of 8th Air Force markings. This Schiffer book by Robert Watkins addresses that need and it's the answer to a historian's - and modeller's - prayers.

In 127 color-packed pages Watkins illustrates the fuselage, wing and tail markings carried by the 48 bomb groups assigned to the 8th AF, tracing the evolution of those markings from initial assignment to war's end. Each group receives a two-page spread showing group and squadron insignia; side and top aircraft profiles illustrating squadron codes, wing identification symbols and special markings; a brief summary of the unit's combat history; a map showing the group's base; and four-seven photographs and/or drawings - some in color - showing group aircraft and various markings details. Watkins even includes groups that were briefly assigned to the Mighty Eighth such as several B-26 units, the 97th BG, etc.

While not exhaustive, BATTLE COLORS will certainly stand as a basic source on 8th Air Force markings. The illustrations are well done and the accompanying information easy to understand. Mighty Eighth markings were not as standardized as many may think, some groups never using or being assigned squadron codes! Likewise specialized 'one-off' markings appeared in several groups and placement of codes often varied greatly between groups.

All in all, it is a fascinating subject and, at long last, we have a well-illustrated, accessible book that makes sense of it all. BATTLE COLORS should find a place on the bookshelves of all 8th Air Force enthusiasts.

I have been researching a cousin of mine who was a B-24 pilot and who killed in action in WWII. I want to write a book about his life, and part of that is to detail the US Army Air Corps airfields in Britain. Missions were made up of several bomb groups which amounted to 500 to 1000 planes flying...some B-17, some B-24. One can see in some action pictures of missions the colors and markings on the aircraft wings, fuselage and tail. Seeing these makrings can help identify which mission that might have been depicted. This book is THE only source I have found that details the colors and letter codes for each bomb group and squadron. Utmost quality in paper stock and color printing make this an extremely valuable resource for WWII aviation enthusiasts as well as modelers, and is worth every penny. Most books on WWII bombing and fighter missions emphasize the bombing, the crew experiences and bravery. I wanted a source that would allow me to include in my book some definitive answers to questions for those who are as curious as I was and to get a better sense of the awewome accomplishments of the wartime buildup and response to the threat. This book on battle colors for bombers does that.