Customer Reviews

Shipcraft 12 - Essex Class Aircraft Carriers of the Second World War

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Within moments of having picked up this book I had learned some important facts about the Essex Class aircraft carrier of which I was previously unaware. This class of carrier was built in larger numbers than any other class before or since and none were sunk as a result of enemy action. Capable of carrying almost 100 aircraft, they were able to sustain remarkable punishment in action and, being central to the Fast Carrier Task Forces, played a crucial part in America's fight against Japan in the Pacific theatre.

Of course, there will be those reading this review who will already know these facts - and much more, about this class of ship. My own work as a shipwreck historian, however, is ordinarily based on diveable shipwrecks although the actual research frequently takes me in all sorts of different directions. In addition, I also build the occasional model ship and it is through such interest that I came to this particular series of books - which I rate very highly. In short, even though this book is aimed at the serious model maker, the historic detail and photographs should not be overlooked by others with an interest.

In 1984, I visited the Essex Class carrier USS Intrepid which is moored in Manhattan. My reaction then was to salute the United States for preserving such vessels as museums because, apart from a single WW2 Cruiser (HMS Belfast), none of the Royal Navy's former capital ships remain afloat - anywhere in the world! From this book I learned the USS' Hornet, Lexington and Yorktown of this class are also preserved as museums ships.

As all devotees of precise models are all too aware, it is the minor differences between specific ships which make each replica in miniature an exact science. You cannot simply purchase a kit for, say, the USS Intrepid and, by changing her pennant numbers claim to have a model of another ship altogether. What I particularly like about this book, therefore, is the amount of additional detail which supports the historic photographs. In 1942, for example, the Essex had 5 lattice masts whereas, in November 1943, Intrepid was completed with only four. By 1946, however, the newly completed Princeton had only two lattice masts forward and eight whip aerials aft. Such differences are, therefore, vitally important.

This is another first-rate product from a well established publisher for whom author Steve Backer provides full details of each ship within the class including technical specifications, line drawings and different camouflage schemes. For those intent on pursuing further research, there is also a very useful bibliography and a long list of websites - some of which I found fascinating. Throughout the book, several pages are given over to those kits which are (in some cases "were") available with each product being afforded a most useful review of the plusses and minuses. There are also a number of featured models produced by very competent modellers with descriptions of all aspects of their work. This alone demonstrates to novice and expert alike, exactly what can be achieved.

Fully supported with a plentiful supply of historic photographs in addition to the detailed close-ups of those models, this is a book which will prove to be of equal interest to modeller and historian alike.

NM

If you are or might be interested in building a model of an Essex-class carrier from a plastic kit, this is an excellent volume to have. It contains a lot of information about the ships themselves, as well as an overview of some of the kits and after-market detail parts available for them. It is NOT a "how to" book for the prospective modeller - for that I highly recommend David Griffith's "Ship Models From Kits" (which is also available from Amazon) - but it is a worthwhile starting point. It is lavishly illustrated with high quality photos of the models and the ships themselves, many in color, but other than it's attractive format, it will probably not be of great value to more advanced modellers.

A good technical source for model builders. Not the best source for operational details and employment history.

Anyone thinking of making a model of a World War 2 Essex class carrier absolutely must have this small but important volume. There were many variations within this class and Mr. Backer captures and explains them all with concise text and numerous clear photographs and line drawings by Alan Raven and A.D. Baker III. Color plates of the various camouflage measures used on these ships are also included.

All the various World War 2 Essex-class kits available are briefly reviewed and their respective strengths and weaknesses are fairly pointed out. Many of the accessories for these kits are also described and reviewed.

The history of this large class is integral to the development and modification of the ships and Mr. Backer provides a brief but very informative one. Many of the photographs are new to me are reproduced very well. The tabular data provided are very handy as well.

Finally, the color pictures of the built-up models are simply superb.