B-25J “Mitchell” in Combat over Europe (MTO)

by Marek Katarzynski

Kagero Publishing

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

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The sixth volume in Kagero’s SMI Library series, “B-25J “Mitchell” in Combat over Europe (MTO)” is a photographic study of the glass-nosed B-25Js flown by the 42nd and 57th Bomb Wings of the USAAF Twelfth Air Force in 1944-45.  As the title suggests these units were assigned to the Mediterranean Theatre:  based in Corsica until the last days of the war, they operated primarily over Italy and the Balkans.  Many of the B-25s wore nose art, and Kagero provides 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 decals for three noteworthy examples.

The book is organised by unit, beginning with the 57th BW.  Each of the wing’s three Bomb Groups – the 340th, 321st and 310th – is presented in turn, commencing with a description of group and squadron identification markings before moving to photos of unit aircraft.  The 319th BG of the 42nd BW is dealt with in similar fashion.

Text is in English and Polish.  I can’t vouch for the Polish text, but the English translation is succinct and informative.  Each photo is accompanied by a caption that describes (where known) the B-25’s serial number, crew, markings, operational history and fate.  A number of the featured aircraft were subsequently lost on operations.

The photos focus mainly, but not exclusively, on B-25 nose art.  In many cases a close up of the nose art and a middle distance shot of the same aircraft is provided, which is useful from a modelling perspective.  There are also a number of photos of B-25s in flight.

The photographs have been well chosen.  They are almost all of good quality, and where this isn’t the case it’s because the photo is necessary to illustrate a key point of camouflage or markings.  The variety of nose art is fascinating, ranging from simple and in some cases crude to elaborate masterpieces.  Most of the illustrations are in black and white, but there is also a seven-page colour gallery that will be invaluable to modellers.  This is followed by a one page ‘nose “pin-up” art section’, which reproduces 11 examples of nose art from featured aircraft, and a collection of 340th, 321st and 319th BG insignia and patches (also one page).

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Thumbnail panels:

Rounding out the book are full colour drawings of the following four B-25Js:

• B-25J-2, “MMR”/43-27751, flown by Lt. W.C. Morton of the 447th BS, 321st BG and based at Solenzara, Corsica.  According to Kagero’s caption this and the following aircraft were delivered to the squadron in overall natural metal, with the upper surface Olive Drab camouflage applied later in May 1944.  The fronts of the engine nacelles were blue, and the tips of the vertical stabilisers red.

• B-25J-2, “Paper Doll”/43-27473, flown by Lt. J.W. Yerger of the 447th BS, 321st BG and based at Solenzara, Corsica.  Propeller hubs are blue and tips of the vertical stabilisers are red.

• B-25J-2, “She’s Engaged”/43-27559, flown by Lt. John W. Allen of the 380th BS, 310th BG and based at Ghisonaccia, Corsica.  This overall natural metal B-25 had blue propeller hubs and blue and yellow stripes on the vertical stabilisers.

• B-25J-2, “My Naked Ass!”/43-27704, flown by Lt. W.W. Holmes of the 487th BS, 340th BG and based at Alesani, Corsica.  As with the first two aircraft, “My Naked Ass!” was delivered unpainted before receiving OD upper surface camouflage in May 1944.  The front of the port engine nacelle is blue, while the equivalent part on the starboard engine is unpainted.

 
Each B-25 is illustrated with port and starboard profiles, an overhead plan view, and scrap drawings of the lower outer wings, forward port fuselage, nose art and other details.  Used in conjunction with the photographs earlier in the book, the illustrations are an excellent guide for anyone wishing to model these aircraft – which of course is Kagero’s intention, because decals for three of the illustrated machines are included.  The one that missed out is “She’s Engaged”, which is a shame because its nose art is great – but the other three are also excellent, so I shouldn’t complain.

The decals are provided in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales, and contained on one A4 sheet and another very small sheet that provides an additional tail serial for “MMR” (why I’m not sure because it seems identical to the two included on the main sheet).  The printing by Cartograf is top notch, with crisp demarcations and finely rendered nose art.  No spares are provided for the latter, so be careful!

As with the SMI Library volume on the P-47 Thunderbolt that I reviewed recently, no national markings are included on the decal sheet – these will need to be sourced from kit or other aftermarket decals.

Its title notwithstanding, “B-25J “Mitchell” in Combat over Europe (MTO)” is not a history of B-25 operations in the Mediterranean theatre – although reading it will give you a good idea of the intensity and danger of these operations. 

The book is however an excellent volume for anyone interested in B-25 livery, with author Marek Katarzynski assembling a great collection of photographs that offers plenty of modelling inspiration.  So do the well-presented illustrations and associated high quality decals; until now I’d never really found a scheme in which I wanted to complete my 1/48 Monogram B-25J, but that is no longer a problem! 

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Casemate UK for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2014 by Brad Fallen
This Page Created on 23 September, 2014
Last updated 23 September, 2014

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