Howdy Patnas,
I was workin’ away on my Phantom’s paint job( I already have F-4 Books) when I realized i needed more refrence books. Modern planes, WWII planes, I DON"T CARE. All I need is a publisher, author, title, ect. Another thing, Pictures in color…PLEASE!!!
Sincerely,
Airman RA30
If you can find them, Airtime Publishing had a 16-volume (maybe more, I had to stop buying at 16 due to depoyment issues) set called “Wings of Fame-The Journal of Classic Combat Aircraft”… It’s far and away one of the most comprehensive periodicals ever published, for aircraft refs… Every issue had dozens of color photos, as well as many, many B & W photos I’d never seen anywhere before (and I’ve seen a LOT)…
It also would feature one aircraft per isuue with an eye-popping fold-out “centerfold” of the plane starring in the issue, as well as numerous color-plates and profiles of the plane in various camouflage schemes, and other countries’ markings, as well as period and current color photos of restored aircraft, both flying and static, and also had “Unit Heritage” and “Variant Briefins” in every issue…
Articles like, “Felix Rules, Baby!”, that focused on the US Navy Squadrons that carried our favorite little black cat on the the aircraft, from biplanes to Tomcats, or “F-94 Variants”, which showed every variant of the Starfire, and “Fighter Combat Over Korea” which chronicaled every kill scored by USAF, USN, and USMC fighter pilot in the Korean War…
The set’s one of my all-time best reference books and I’ve been searching for the issues I missed after volume 16, high & low…
But still, even though I love reference boks and have dozens of them, I gotta admit that the internet and “Google Image” is the ref I use the most… Finding complete unit histories, with photographs from unit members private collections are the best ones…
Barnes & Noble, Borders and most of the other major chains offer a fairly good selection of coffee table books with good images in them. I occasionally pick them up when they are on sale. Nothing better than getting a $50 book for under $20.
Google is also your friend…learn how to righ click to save images [;)]
For basic research, use Wikipedia as a start, and then go to the bottom of the article for the bibliography references for more info of which much is online. Also, don’t forget your own local and college library collections. My own local library, for example, has a bunch of the Warbird Tech books on hand.
[dto:] I always go to the bargain book section first. I’ve gotten great deals on some awsome books.
I always cross-check anything from Wiki… If it’s your only sorce, and accuracy is important to you, never take what Wiki says at face-value…
I will second what the Hammer says regarding Airtime Publishing, I have their set “International Air Power Review” & a few special - they are excellent.
Ftom time to time you will see their publications on Ebay & you can often find single volumes of I.A.P.R. going for a song, they are available in both hard & soft back.
Google Image Search is my best friend. Amazing what you can find on the internet (though searching for PBJ images throws back some interesting results at times!)
Mmm now I have a taste for a PBnJ sandwich… lol Thanks Matt
Flaps up,
Mike
Rangers Lead The Way
For modeling support, I like the SAM Publications Modeller’s Datafile series the best. It is published in UK and a bit more expensive than US books. See a sample book review of the one on Hawker Hunter.
A good balance among development history, aircraft details and modeling tips. Very enjoyable reading even if you are building that airplane.
[dto:] I have the F-14 Tomcat and the Air Force Spec Ops Aircraft book from SAM Publications and they’re great. I want to get more of them.
I would too only if they were not so expensive. It is over $100 for the 3 books set on the Phantoms. I got mine on the BAE Lightning and the Hunter before the price really went sky rocketing.
I started out collecting the Squadron “In Action” books back in the '70’s, then the Detail & Scale books as they came out. I’ve also got a lot of the Osprey publications books.
I primarily model Navy carrier aircraft and find The Hook magazine, the quarterly journal of The Tailhook Association to be very helpful. It has lots of great historical articles and photos.
Without a doubt the absolute best reference book I’ve run across on the Phantom is DACO Publications’ Uncovering the US Navy Q/F-4B/J/N/S Phantom II. A bit pricey at around $60, but well worth it if you’re a serious modeler. I’ve also got their volumes covering the F-14 and the legacy F/A-18, both excellent also.
Mark
I want to get the DACO books as well, but like you said, they’re very pricey.
MY books are on the USN, USMC, and USAF phantoms. I found it at B&N(Barnes and Noble). Published by Historee & Collections (Yes Historee). It includes full color pics, squadrons, amd some background info. Pretty cool. Look for it in the military history section.