Kagero Publishing
B-17 Flying Fortress in Combat Over Europe

Book & Decals

by Tomasz Szlagor

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The 92-page book covers the USAAF’s B-17 operations with the 8th and 15th Air Forces in WW2. The first 14 pages provide a synopsis of B-17 operations by these two units, along with some background on the aircraft itself. The text is split on each page between English and Polish, as are the photo captions throughout. The remainder of the book is essentially photo essay format, plus six colour profiles.

The book’s main strength is an interesting collection of photos.

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I struggle to see the relevance of a six colour profiles when decals for only two of them are provided, although their inclusion does no harm. However, the cost of the decals must serve to increase the price of the book, yet you would hardly buy the book just to get the decals, given only a couple of subjects are covered in two disparate scales.

It seems to me that separate decals with more aircraft options, offered in individual 1/72. 1/48 and 1/32 scale packs would make more sense, as the book would also be cheaper. Whilst I may struggle to see the benefit of the decals, Kagero are presumably using a marketing formula that works well for them (and they know a lot more about how to sell books and decals than I do!). The inclusion of 1/32 seems to be to the detriment of 1/48 scale, and must be a pitch at builders of the recently released HK Models B-17 kit.

The decals are superbly printed by Cartograf in 1:32 and 1:72 scales, and are of excellent quality with appealing artwork, although no national insignia are included.

The subject aircraft are:

• B-17G-25-BO; s/n 42-31678, 'Little Patches', coded 'LL-L' of 401st BS / 91st BG, and

• B-17F-50-BO; s/n 42-5360, 'Old Faithful', coded 'VK-N' of 358th BS / 303rd BG.

The first two pages of the book can be viewed by clicking on the link here. However, these only really illustrate the style applicable to the first few pages, so please see the images below for an indication of the predominant photo-essay format, as well as the colour profiles.

This is a good quality, attractively produced publication. Its main appeal lies with its predominantly photo-essay format and its interesting images. The first part of the book gives an easily read historical synopsis, whilst the colour profiles are aesthetically appealing. 

The inclusion of decals for two subjects may appeal to some, but must also serve to increase the price of the book. Personally, I prefer to buy decals separately in optimised packaging that includes more compete multi-view colour scheme information, and is focused on one scale. This said, the decals are of excellent quality, and are of appealing schemes.

I am happy to recommend booklet to anyone with an interest B-1`7 operations over Europe, and those who are looking for some tasty artwork to adorn their B-17 models in 1/72 or 1/32 scale.

Thanks to Casemate UK for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2014 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 6 October, 2014
Last updated 6 October, 2014

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