Customer Reviews

MESSERSCHMITT ME 109 - VOL 2: From 1942 to 1945 (Planes and Pilots Series) (Planes & Pilots)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is outstanding. The plates contain an unparalled 32 examples the K-4, including Hartmann's, which I had seen only as a poster. The many versions of the G are also well represented. This book's scholarship on the K-4 is not as extensive as can be found in similar books from the Czech Republic and Poland, but I nonetheless recommend this work without reservation especially for students of the the air war in 1945. It's great to see that Amazon has made easily available this excellent work on "the last of the eagles."

See my review for volume 1 to this series. Splendid reference for those who appreciate the complex camouflage patterns used by the Luftwaffe. Very interesting in how various markings were applied as well. No one bothered to edit these books but so what, at 13 bucks, it is a crime to not buy it.

If you are interested in different colour schemes for the F through to the K versions of the Messerschmitt Bf109, then this is the book for you. As always, colours are subject to personal interpretation as these are invariably translated from black and white photographs - but all in all, most profiles seem to be a sensible representation.

The artwork may appear flat and does not reach levels of aviation artists like Richard J. Caruana. The perspective layout is also on the weak side, particularly the under-surfaces. The weathering effect can be annoying as it is done on a permanent layer and is repeated on every profile. Finally, there are occasional schemes where it is too obvious that the only changes are the aircraft number and all else is merely repetition.

All in all however, the effort is commendable and the publication is in fact a good reference source from the scheme aspect.

The subject of Luftwaffe camouflage and markings continues to be as interesting as it is controversial. New research gifted authors such as Kenneth Merrick, Jerry Crandall, Brett Green, etc. has produced new conclusions, revised artwork, etc. showcased in books selling for $80.00 or more. On the flip side of those budget-busters is the series of PLANES AND PILOTS books published by Histoire & Collections. Selling for around $20.00 they offer hundreds of color profiles on selected aircraft. This particular volume offers up 82 pages of information and color profiles of the Bf 109F, G, K and postwar variants.

Authors Dominique Breffort and Andre Jouineau divide their book into sections on the Friedrich, Gustav, Karl, etc. Following a one-three page summary of the various models within that variant (G-1, G-2, G-2 Trop, etc.), the authors offer up a one-page summary of the F-4, for example, followed by 14 pages of color profiles of F-4s; total: 56 profiles. So, for $20.00, you're getting over 220+ profiles of Bf 109s in gorgeous color. The kicker is: how accurate are the Histoire & Collections profiles?

Some of the birds in this H&C volume have also been illustrated by such top-rung artists such as Tom Tullis, Richard Caruana, etc. In terms of color alone, the H&C profiles are kinda/sorta/similar to those done by Tullis, etc. but are much brighter - garish? - by comparison. Close but no cigar.

Depending on your interest, THE MESSERSCHMITT 109, 1942-1945, VOLUME 2 may be just what the doctor ordered. Like the other H&C volumes, it's a visual delight and easy on the pocketbook. Authoritative: no; enjoyable: yes. Indulge! Recommended.

I bought vol 1 and vol 2 at the same time, not really certain what to expect after reading some of the mixed reviews.

I must say I don't regret for a moment my purchases.

The book is packed with

-mid/late war profiles

-model difference explainations and variations of model F,G,K

-review some other country use and post war service

-and more

The Me 109 expert might be not satisfied enough(I couldn't tell in all honesty) but mid level enthusiasts will have more and beyond packed in one book. At this price, it is a steal that I warmly recommend.

..another weak effort from the French - Hartman's K-4 indeed - nobody knows what it looked like - least of all these French authors - too many garish colours, banana-shaped fuselage profile drawings and old myths repeated..