Customer Reviews

Battle Colors, Vol. 4: Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the USAAF in World War II European/African/Middle Eastern Theaters

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This book has a capsule history of the units operating in the Mediteranean Theater. It breaks down the aircraft markings unit by unit with colored aircraft profiles, squadron insignias, and a few vintage photos. It does try to pack a lot of information in just a few pages per unit. Support groups and transports are not as well covered as the combat groups. With the formation of the 12th and 15th Air Forces many of the groups found their missions changing and their markings also were revised. Their supply chain had them getting equipment after the 8th and 9th Air Forces. Escort groups persisted with Spitfires and hand me down P-38s long after they should have transitioned to P-51s. I found this a useful reference for modeling purposes.

This is the fourth volume of this particular series, and finally is getting out of the ETO into some of the lesser -known theaters. Yes- I like the 8AF too, but vols 1 and 2 just plowed some well worn furrows again. Vol. 3 was good - too few people pay much attention to the 9th AF.

The layout is good, lots of pictures, drawings and diagrams . Most of the information is available elsewhere (notably in Maurer Maurer's two works), especially with one page per Bomb Group.), but this is a good layout , especially for the younger (anyone under 40) historian. Serials of assigned aircraft would be a nice addition, but you can't have everything.

It is pricey, but you get what you pay for. If you want junk go to your local bookstore. This volume and its three predecessors are solid references and worth the money. Highly recommended

very beautifull book who explain the creation of unit of the USAAF during world war 2 in europe africa and middle east