Augsburg's Last Eagles Eagle Files EF#3 by  Brett Green   Eagle Editions

Reviewed by Floyd Werner 

When Brett Green mentioned that he was writing a book on late war Messerschmitt Bf 109 colors and variants I quickly volunteered to review it. After all, he couldn't review his own book could he? As many of HyperScale visitors might already know, I love late war 109s. Augsburg's Last Eagles definitely fits this idiosyncrasy perfectly.

Augsburg's Last Eagles (Eagle Files EF#3) is a softbound book consisting of approximately 80 pages. The pages include many color photos of the Treloar Bf 109G-6, approximately 10 Tom Tullis profiles, some beautiful line drawings, plenty of black and white photos, many never before published as far as I know, and some of the Evergreen Bf 109G-10 undergoing restoration.

For visitors to HyperScale, this is a culmination of various articles that have been posted throughout the years. As Brett's first literary effort, this book is definitely recommended reading for anyone with an interest in late war Luftwaffe colors and especially the Bf 109. It is obvious that Brett has a passion for this type of aircraft and shares it with us. The text and conclusions are very informative and logical. The book is nicely written and a breeze to read. I read it in one sitting and loved every minute of it.

One thing I found very interesting is the line drawings showing the difference between the different type cowlings. This is the first time that this has been covered in an English text outside the Luftwaffe Verband. Model makers and builders will find this book a valuable addition to any library. There are plenty of close-up photos of the Treloar and the Evergreen 109s that just lends itself to detailed scratch building.

Thomas Tullis must be the best aviation artist for this type of book. His interpretations are wonderfully rendered and are the most accurate looking profiles. There are many great looking aircraft that will undoubtedly motivate modelers to try the different types of camouflage schemes. Every type of camouflage is depicted from overall RLM 76 to mid-war grays, to the complete gambit of late war greens.

Tullis represents the Reichsverteidigung Bands, Tactical and Identification Markings wonderfully in full color for all units that operated 109s. I would love to see someone show a complete aircraft from each of these Gruppes complete with bands.

Because Brett is also a modeler, no review would be complete without a mention of the EagleCals accompanying decal sheet. I feel that when you publish such a great book as Augburg's Last Eagles it would be a shame to tease the modeler by not producing the decals to replicate the aircraft shown in the book. Eagle Editions approach of releasing a decal sheet (sometimes more than one) is a great idea. 

The decals are available in both 1/72nd and 1/48th scale. They are perfectly in register with some very interesting stencil markings not available on other sheets. On EagleCal #26, four aircraft are depicted. Two aircraft that have not been available before and two have been updated. The decals are printed by Microscale so you know they are high quality decals and will respond well to setting solutions.

Some might ask if we don't already have enough decals for the Bf 109 on the market already. To them I can only say that there were over 30,000 produced (not counting rebuilt and post war versions) there can never be enough Bf 109 anything. If you make it, I will buy it.

With that said, go out buy this book and decals then enjoy them. I look forward to more from Brett and Eagle Editions. Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review copy.

Buy it now!

Recommended.

Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review sample.

Augsburg's Last Eagles is available direct from Eagle Editions website or specialist bookstores

"Augsburg's Last Eagles" is also available at Squadron.com
 
 

Review Copyright © 2001 by Floyd Werner
This Page Created on 04 April, 2001
 

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