Aircraft Aces
2

by Marek J. Murawski 

Kagero

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

Kagero's Aircraft Aces 2 is available online from Squadron.com
 

This is the second in Kagero’s Aces series.  This slim volume covers Josef “Pips” Priller, Hans Waldman and Wolfgang Späte.  Priller is, of course, known for his D-Day strafing run along the beaches of Normandy accompanied only his wing man.  Waldman, by the time of his death in a mid-air collision on March 18, 1945, had flown approximately 530 combat missions and shot down 134 aircraft, 12 of which were shot down on the Eastern Front within five days.  Finally, Späte who was one of the first pilots to fly a combat mission in the Me 163 and nearly engaged two P-47s.  It was the one painted red and coded PK+QL.
 
The author introduces each pilot with a brief and dramatic story of each pilot’s most significant adventure.  This is followed with a thumbnail biography.  If you are looking for an in depth historical account, this is not the book.  But, if all you want to do is get quickly acquainted, then it would probably meet your needs. 

Sometimes the little story can conjure up images which the author may not have intended, due perhaps to the issue of the English translation from the Polish.  In the case of Späte in his Me 163, it seems just at the moment he was about to fire upon the Thunderbolts, his rocket engine cut out and the aircraft began to drop.  All I could picture was Wile E. Coyote at the controls with the code “ACME” on the side.

What will positively have modelers buying this volume is the inclusion of a sheet of decals in three scales, 1/72/ 14/8 and 1/32, for five aircraft flown by the three pilots.  There are no national markings or swastikas, however.  The markings for each ace are as follows:

Priller:

• Fw 190 A-3, W. Nr. 0552, “black double chevron” from StabIII./JG 26, Wavelghem Airfied, August 1942.

• Fw 190 A-8, W. Nr. 170346, “Black 13”, Stab JG 26, Normandy, June 6, 1944. (Note: There is a mask, in three scales, to paint the white outline on the black marking behind the cowl.)

Waldman:

• Bf 109G-2, W. Nr. 13566, “Black <2 + -“, Stab II.?JG 52, Gonschtakowka, September 18, 1942.

• Me 262A-1a, W. Nr. 500097, “Yellow 3”, 3./JG 7, Kaltenkirchen Airfield, March 18, 1945.

Späte:

• Me 163B-0 V-41, PK+QL, Erprobungskomando 16,Bad Zwischenahn Airfield, May 13, 1944.  All red aircraft.

I must suggest that the author or editor made a dull choice in the Me 262.  It would have been more interesting if they had chosen the markings for Waldman’s Bf 109G-4 “Yellow 3”, a photograph of which is in the book, as there is a Dachshund painted on the side at the cockpit.  This was Waldman’s personal emblem and would have made for a more interesting set of markings.

 
The Kagero Aircraft Aces series looks like a very interesting approach to the subject. One can focus on those aces that are of particular interest and get the appropriate decals for that ace’s aircraft. Right now the series is focusing on Luftwaffe aces.  I’m not sure if the Aces of other air forces will be covered.  Recommendation aside, I’m sure that the books in this series will be snapped up not only for the included decals, but also merely for the pleasure of collecting the entire series.

Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2004 by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman
This Page Created on 11 September, 2004
Last updated 19 October, 2004

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