SQUADRON SIGNAL PUBLICATIONS [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

Book Review
US Liaison Aircraft in Action

by: Mal Mayfield [ HOLDFAST ]

Introduction
Squadron’s Aircraft in action series continues with number 195, US Liaison aircraft. Probably not thought of as having any great appeal, especially when compared to the fighter aircraft of the day. Nevertheless the job they carried out was vital, because their more glamorous cousins couldn’t do the job that they were designed for.

the book
The book is in the usual landscape format, with a nice painting of a Piper L-4H-PI, flying over Omaha beach a few days after the Normandy landings. There are also a couple of nice paintings on the back cover. One depicting a Piper J-4A impressed into RAF service and wearing invasion stripes. Apparently 405 Repair and Salvage Unit traded this aircraft to an RAF Flying Officer for a bottle of Scotch Whisky. The other, a Stinson L-5B-ST, operating in support of US forces in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theatre of operations.

Inside the cover
The five principle types of US liaison aircraft that saw Wartime service are covered in detail within the 49 pages:

  • item1
  • Stinson L1 (O-49) Vigilant
  • item2
  • Tylorcroft L-2 (O-57) Grasshopper;
  • item3
  • Aeronca L-3 (O-58) Grasshopper;
  • item4
  • Piper L-4 (O-59) Grasshopper
  • item5
  • Stinson L-5 (O-62) Sentinel.

    The usual format is followed, with a few introductory paragraphs and lots of interesting period photographs accompanied by informative and interesting captions, for each type. At the beginning of each section there is a non-scaled 3-view drawing with the aircraft specifications. Also within each section are drawings of changes in design and specification, where necessary. The centre pages contain colour profiles of the types covered within the pages. Disappointingly there are few interior pictures and no drawings to give the modeller any insight as to the internal layout of any of the types covered. However the title is “in action” and not “interior” so not too many points deducted for that.

    There are some interesting pictures to inspire the diorama builders. For me the most inspiring of all are the pictures of L-4’s on an improvised flight deck made of PSP (Pierced Steel Planking) attached to an LST. I also like the overhead picture of an L-4 on the aircraft elevator of the Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) during Operation Torch (the Allied invasion of North Africa) in 1942. It finally gives me the information I require to build a US carrier Deck.
    I must admit, though, to having been inspired to look for models of these aircraft. If there are any out there I just hope that they have reasonable interiors, overall another very good title from Squadron.

    Thank you to MMD-Squadron for kindly supplying the review sample.

    Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on ARMORAMA



    SUMMARY
    An interesting selection for number 195 in the Squadron/Signal in action series. By Al Adcock, US Liaison Aircraft in action will fill a void in your aircraft reference library.
      Scale: Other
      Mfg. ID: 1195
      Suggested Retail: $11.95 rrp
      PUBLISHED: Aug 23, 2005
      NATIONALITY: United States
    NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
      THIS REVIEWER: 86.75%
      MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.83%

    About Mal Mayfield (Holdfast)
    FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

    Hi, my name is Mal Mayfield and I have been modelling seriously for about 25 years. My main interest is 1/48 scale second world war. I build all types and all combatants. I have built 1/35 scale "targets" and 1/72 scale modern aircraft, plus a couple of cars. I have also dabbled with figure painting...

    Copyright ©2021 text by Mal Mayfield [ HOLDFAST ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.


       
    ADVERTISEMENT


    Photos
    Click image to enlarge
    • Lias001
    • Lias003
    • Lias002
    • Lias006
    • Lias007
    • Lias005
    • Lias004
    ADVERTISEMENT