Supermarine
Walrus & Stranraer
by Roger Wallsgrove & James Kightly
Colour Illustrations by Bob Pearson
Mushroom Model Publications
Yellow series, No. 6113
MSRP: $19.95
Squadron price: $17.96
By Ray Mehlberger
This latest book from MMP (Mushroom Model Publications) is devoted to two classic flying boats. Both of these were designed by Reginald Mitchell, more famous for the Spitfire. The Walrus gained immortality through its role as an Air-Sea Rescue aircraft (one of the few roles it was NOT initially designed for!). The Stranraer was the last in a distinguished line of big Supermarine flying-boats. It was used extensively in Canada during and after WWII, for coastal patrol, surveying and transport.
The development and technical details of both aircraft are described, putting them into their historical context in a long series of Supermarine designs. For the first time the specific details of the wooden-hulled Walrus Mk. II is described and illustrated accurately.
The book is illustrated with 76 black and white photos and 90 color ones approximately. There are two 'firsts' in this new book. The first being that it is authored by two non-Poles: Roger Wallsgrove (the Editor-in-Chief of MMP) is an Englishman, while James Kightly is an ex-pat Canadian/Australian. Previous volumes in this series of aircraft books have all been by Polish authors.
The second 'first' is the addition of a large (24 1/2" x 18") set of black and white line drawings, to 1/72nd scale, of the Walrus and Stranraer. There are several views of each and it is all printed on coated stock. This sheet is folded up and inserted into the book. These line drawings will be of great value to modelers. I hope this practice continues in future books.
The color profiles are by Internet Modeler's Senior Editor Bob Pearson and they are excellent. Readers of Internet Modeler have enjoyed Bob's equally excellent illustrations of various aircraft in past issues of the magazine in the GALLERIA section. There are 27 of these color profile illustrations by him. These are in both military and civilian schemes.
There has been precious little appear previously in print on these two aircraft. This new book will be of great value to both modelers and aircraft buffs alike.
Highly recommended.
I wish to thank Roger Wallsgrove, Editor-in-Chief of MMP for this generous review copy.
This book and others in the series is available from all good book shops in the UK for 9.99 pounds, or direct from the publishers for 11 pounds inc. P & P (UK & Europe only) at:
Mushroom Model Publications
36 Ver Rd.
Redbourn, Herts
AL3 7PE
UK
The North American distributor is:
Australian distributor is:
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Platypus Publications
