Osprey Air Vanguard Roundup
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Albatros D.III
Air Vanguard #13
Author: James F Miller
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-78200-371-7
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 64
In the constantly changing battle for aerial supremacy over the skies of Europe during the First World War, inevitably it was one plane that would rise to the forefront. Such was the case with the Albatros D.III, which traded maneuverability for speed and firepower. This change made it a lethal aircraft against enemy reconnaissance aircraft, where it could dive down from altitude and quickly dispatch its prey. The plane did have its flaws, though, and the weak wing plagued it throughout its career. Still, many of the biggest names in German aces flew the Albatros D.III, including Richthofen.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Air Vanguard #14
Author: Alexander Mladenov
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-78200-374-8
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 64
The MiG-21 ran counter to Western ideas for frontline fighters. Whereas those Western designs were big, powerful, and featured long range, the MiG-21 was small, nimble, and shorter ranged. The numbers speak for themselves, and with over 10,000 built, the MiG-21 is the world's most-produced supersonic fighter aircraft. Originally designed as a point interceptor for NATO bomber fleets, it has seen combat against other fighters over the Middle East and Asia, as well as in various spots in Africa. It remains in service in quite a few nations, fifty years after the first MiG-21 took to the skies.
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
Air Vanguard #15
Author: Mike Guardia
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-0119-7
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 64
Precision bombing took on many different methods during the Second World War, and one of the more common ideas was that of the dive-bomber. Few are as iconic as the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, with its bent wings and spatted undercarriage. The Ju 87 Stuka was the Luftwaffe's primary dive-bomber and it performed to great effect in the skies over Poland and France. Operating in close concert with ground forces, the Stuka was often thought of as flying artillery, capable of taking out ground targets and opening up paths for German soldiers to push through. By the end of the war, air superiority made flying the slow Stuka risky, but it managed to serve out until the very end.
My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copies.