Allied Wings No.8
Bolton Paul Defiant

by Phil H. Listemann & Andrew Thomas

Philedition

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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This new publication from Allied Wings is the eighth booklet in this series from this publisher and contains 48 pages of exceptional detail with over 30 photographs and 4 pages of colour artwork. 

The photographs depict the Defiant as a prototype and in service along with the brave aircrew who flew or manned the turret.  The quality of paper, photographs and printing is excellent. 

A brief history of the development of the Defiant as day fighter is included in the first few pages leading into detail of the units that flew the aircraft and its service life.  Although the concept of a turreted day fighter was flawed and proved a failure the blame does not rest solely on the Defiant, the easy way taken by some writers in the past, as other factors contributed to its failure.

The publication details the bases and periods that the Defiant operated from and has a concise list of claimed enemy aircraft destroyed totally approximately 86.66 enemy aircraft.  Surprisingly this includes 23.5 Messerschmitt 109 aircraft. 

The final touch is a complete list of Defiant aircraft lost in action and through accidents and a roll of honor of all aircraft killed in action.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Philedition for the review sample