Ian K. Baker's Aviation History
Colouring Book No's 36 & 37
IJN Aircraft Colour Schemes
Camouflage & Markings 1937-1945
(Pt's 1 & 2)

Published by the author
Ian K Baker
31A Mercer St
Queenscliff
Vic, 3225
Australia

issue 36 - ISSN number 1322-0217
issue 37 - ISSN number 1322-0217

$8.00 AUD

Reviewed by David Muir

This latest pair of Ian Baker's series on aircraft colours is broadly similar in style to his previous works in containing black/white drawings and line drawings, but differs slighty in having the bulk of the text in one volume (No 36) with illustrations in the other. As a relative neophyte to the world of IJN colours, the two volumes are simply and logically laid out and give a thorough overview of the topic. As always the illustrations, in the author/publisher's idiosyncratic style, are commendably clear and show a wide range of types.

Some of the material is speculative (and is noted as such) but most appears to be solidly based on sound research; I particularly liked the colour notes being referenced to British and Federal (ie US) Standards as well as the Methuen and Pantone colour classification systems. It would be interesting to develop mixes for each using the common modelling paint ranges... but then again most are probably available and now we have an authoritative reference to check them against

The works certainly meet their stated aim of summarising the state of our current knowledge of IJN colours and are an excellent first primer on the topic. Given their price they are outstanding value: buy one and tell your friends!

In addition to the publisher, these books are also available from Aviation Usk.

Thanks to the Australian Plastic Modellers Association for the review copy.