UNITS #05: JG 2. Jagdgeschwader "Richthofen"
Author: Marek J. Murawski

The fifth volume of the Units series is dedicated to one of the most famous fighter units of the German Luftwaffe during the World War 2 – the JG 2 "Richthofen".

Books of the Units series are being published in the format of 205x275mm what is nearly A4 size and usually takes 28 pages. The general idea of this series is to present general history and campaigns of the title unit, illustrate it with good quality pictures and provide decals with individual markings and insignias for four machines, which were used by this unit. As a reference for painting and decaling publisher provides very attractive and large colour profiles depicting all four planes from both sides. Decals are provided in three most popular scales in plastic kits: 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32.

On 32 pages author presents the history of the unit in a chronological order starting in early 1934 and ending in May of 1945. The story starts at Doberitz on 1st May 1934 and follows unit through Poland in 1939, France and Battle of Britain in 1940, English Channel 1941/42, once again France in late 1942, North Africa in 1943, again France in 1944 and from Normandy through Operation Bodenplatte to the bitter end in May 1945. These campaigns are described in just few sentences focusing on most important events, aces and commanders. On the last pages we will find few tables with Geschwader and particular Gruppen commanders, list of most successful aces and types of aircraft in service of JG 2 and its sub-units during the war.

The story is illustrated with 43 black and white archive photographs of different size and taken in various circumstances, from peacetime silence on the airbase to the sad end of burned-out wreckage after the bombardment. It is supplemented by the colour painting schemes of four chosen planes from JG 2 squadrons. Painting schemes and colour profiles for attached decal sheet presents the following fighters used by JG 2:

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4; W.Nr. 5159, 'White 9', pilot: Oblt. Hermann Reifferscheidt, commander of 1./JG 2, Beaumont-le-Roger airbase, France, October 1940.
  
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2/B; 'Yellow 3', pilot: Uffz. Richard Übelbacher from 6.(Jabo)./JG 2, Abbeville-Drucat airbase, Francje, summer 1941.
  
• Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2; W.Nr. 0120 333, 'White 8', pilot: Lt. Jakob Augustin from 7./JG 2, Théville airbase, Francje, early June 1942.
  
• Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9; W.Nr. 400 271, 'Black 4' z 10./JG 2, Großostheim airbase, Germany, spring 1945.

As it was already mentioned before provided decal sheet consists of marking in three scales. Decal was printed by well known Italian company specialized in decals – Cartograf. I can not find any error or imperfection of print. Very nice colours, great quality of units and personal emblems with lot of details, thin carrier film printed without unnecessary excess. As usual for this producer – top quality.

Although this series of publications is certainly not dedicated to advanced historians of airwar or Luftwaffe it proves to be popular amongst modellers who are always eager for decorating their scale replicas in unpopular or not so often seen schemes. Kagero provides solution for this group giving in their hands a very useful combination of inspiration, historical background and reference and decals to use in the final process of creating a scale miniature. Selection of the airplanes for colour schemes and decals is always very careful so you can be sure you will be able to make an attractive and eye catching airplane model.

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