Walk Around F-86 Sabre
By Larry Davis,

Squadron/Signal Publications

by Michael Benolkin

When Squadron first launched their Walk Around series, I was skeptical. Squadron already produces the great 'In Action' series, a good number of specialized titles, and had added Bert Kinzey's series of 'In Detail & Scale' publications to their line-up. I was concerned that that this new series would be a re-hash of previously published materials. Was I ever wrong (and am I glad!). These Walk Around books do more in one publication than we modelers could do pouring through countless books, magazine articles, photos and websites - get a good look at a given modeling subject from numerous perspectives and with the subject in a variety of configurations.

Such is the case with Squadronís latest Walk Around - the North American F-86 Sabre. Printed in the standard 'In Action' and 'Walk Around' format (landscape), the book is softcover and its 79 pages are crammed with color and black & white photos, color profiles and technical drawings. If youíre looking for historical narrative, youíll also need to pick up the F-86 In Action. This book has a great selection of action shots and detail shots to aid in your next Sabre project. While many of these photos have appeared in other books in the past, you wonít find all of them in one handy book at such a great price!

This title focuses on the F-86A, F-86E and F-86F in USAF service during the Korean War as well as these same variants flown by other Air Forces. This particular Walk Around does not cover the Sabre Dogs (F-86D/K/L) or the late model day fighters like the F-86H. This is exactly the book you'll need to tackle the Academy or Hasegawa 1/48 Sabre, or perhaps the Hasegawa 1/32 F-86F. Whatever the reason, this book is classified as a 'must have.'

B-24 Liberator in detail
By Bert Kinzey

Squadron Signal Publications

by Michael Benolkin

The latest installment in the 'In Detail' series is the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. As with Bertí's previous books, this title covers each variant of the Liberator family, with a summary of its development and operational history, and a photo look at what made that variant different from previous B-24s.

This edition is 79 pages crammed with color and black & white photos, technical drawings depicting the unique features of any given B-24 version, and two pages of color profiles. In addition to covering all of the B-24 family from the XB-24 to the XB-24N, it also covers the gunship XB-41, the cargo/passenger C-87, C-109 and C-31 variants, the F-7 reconnaissance aircraft, the RAF Liberator variants, and the USN PB4Y versions.

There is a load of B-24 information at your fingertips here. In addition, the requisite Modelers Summary is also included to briefly outline the various B-24 kits that have been released in each of the major scales. While I miss the in-depth model coverage found in the earlier 'Detail & Scale' series, such information is changing all-too-frequently these days, adds another level of complexity in researching and publishing these books, and also takes away valuable page space that is now being used for the full-scale subject.

With the recent re-releases of the Monogram B-24D and B-24J Liberators in 1/48, as well as the wide variety of B-24 variants available from Academy in 1/72 and 1/144, this book will help you get your next B-24 project off the ground! This book is classified as a 'must have.'

FIAT CR.32/CR.42 In Action
by George Punka

Squadron/Signal Publications

by Bob Pearson

The latest volume in the Squadron/Signal In Action series focuses on the last of the biplane fighters to see frontline service - the Fiat CR.32 and its successor, the Fiat CR.42. Developed from the earlier CR.30, the CR.32 was a refined, smaller version of the earlier design. Both used the same liquid-cooled 12-cylinder FIAT A30 RA engine. The first 50 CR.32s entered service in 1934, and a total of 284 were completed before the improved CR.32bis was introduced, 283 of these were produced, as well as 150 CR.32ter and 337 of the final variant, the CR.32quarter.

Although best known for its use in the Spanish Civil War, the CR.32 was also flown by China where 24 had been ordered from the first production batch, although not all were delivered. Other foreign users were Austria -and after the annexation of Austria, Germany, and Hungary.

Upon Italy's entry into WW2 the CR.32 was the most numerous fighter in its inventory, however by May 1941 it had been relegated to training duties.

In 1938, FIAT attempted to put a radial engine into a new design, the resulting aircraft shared many of the same design features of the CR.32, and ultimately 1768 of the new CR.42 were produced by June 1943. Thje CR.42 served wherever the Regia Aeronautica could be found - from the North African desert, to the skies of England and over Russia. Foreign use was by Hungary, Belgium, Sweden and the Luftwaffe. Those flown by the Luftwaffe were used in the anti-partisan role up to the end of the war. Postwar, two-seat trainers were used until 1950 in Italy.

This volume follows the usual In Action formula of great photos, informative text, general arrangement drawings and colour profiles - this time featuring the work of Don Greer, Richard Hudson and Lori Bashim.

For anyone wanting an inexpensive reference on the last of the biplane fighters, this volume is recommended.

Thanks to Squadron Mail Order for the review sample.