Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr

Wings of the Black Cross Number Six is available online from Squadron.com

This is the sixth in the series of books put out by Eagle Editions.  Typical of the series this softbound book contains 36 pages of large photographs, mostly black and white but with a color photo on the back cover.

Perennial favorites such as the Bf 109 and Fw 190 are covered.  A few of the 109 photos have been seen before but never as clear as they are here.  They look like first generation repoductions.  So there are 109s.  There are always 109s, but some of these are special.  I found the two photos of a very light G-4 from Malta interesting.  The Fw 190A-9 is a unique airplane that wasn’t photographed very much but this book contains three new photos of two airplanes.  A Fw 190A-5/U3 marked as “Yellow B” is interesting.

Some new Me 262 and Do 335 photos are shown.  What I like about these books is the photos are large enough and clear enough to be useable by the modeler and historian.  A really well worn He-111 has some unique markings from the late war period.  Other late war aircraft such as the Ar 234 and the Ju 188 are shown.  The Ju 188 has a really unique story included in the caption.  Another series of photos show a very uniquely camouflaged Ju 188A-2.  I can see myself modeling this aircraft in the future.  The earlier Ju 88s are also seen, especially interesting are the wave camouflage.

Helicopters are not forgotten in this book.  Both the Fa 223 and Fl 282 are both seen in clear photos at Wright Field.  Another unique aircraft is a series of photos of the BV 222.  A minesweeping Ju 52/3M (MS) would make a unique modeling subject.  The back cover color photo is of a Bf 109 G-10/R2 photo recon aircraft is the best exposed and clear   

Any Eagle Edition book wouldn’t be complete without some great color profiles and this one does not disappoint.  Eight profiles are included, one Bf 109 G-6, two Me 262, three Fw 190, a He-111 and the uniquely camouflaged Ju 188.  These are really motivating to me.  Sometimes just the profiles alone are enough to make me break out a model.

Most of the photos have never before been published and they offer a wealth of knowledge, especially of late war aircraft.  They are large and very clear.  The color profiles are beautiful.  These books are a really nice and give you a great overall look at multiple types of aircraft.  These books are a great addition to any library.  I can’t wait to see what is in the next one.

Thanks to Aeroplane Books for the review copy.  You can get your copy at www.aeroplanebooks.com .  Let them know you heard about it here. 

Thanks to Aeroplane Books for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2009 by Floyd S. Werner Jr
This Page Created on 3 February, 2009
Last updated 3 February, 2009

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