36 pages (4 pages in colour) 32 colour, 86 b&w photos fold-out sheet of 1/72 scale plans
This issue detailing the Westland Wyvern TF.Mks.1 & 2, T.Mk.3 and S.Mk.4 is number sixteen in the current 4+ line of aircraft
publications. And an excellent issue it is. The Wyvern was one of the unfortunate aircraft that bridged the gap between the
naval piston engine fighters and the pure jet powered aircraft. Few of these aircraft faired well and most were relegated to
the also ran category. In fact the Wyvern first flew with a piston engine. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Wyvern, having
worked with a chap who actually flew them. I much regret not having dug deeper into Tim’s experiences with the Wyvern, but
then again isn’t that 20/20 hindsight just wonderful? Tim also flew combat with the Swordfish from carriers in the Mediterranean
during WW2, but those are other stories for another time, so back to our Wyvern.
The Wyvern book is in soft cover format with stapled binding. There are thirty-six pages plus the covers and the information contained within these pages make it well worth the suggested retail price of $16.50 US or approximately $21.25 CDN according to the online currency converter at the time of writing. There is a wealth of photographic information with all of the photos presented in a large and exceptionally clear format considering the time frame in which the majority of the photographs were taken.
Colour photographs grace the front and back covers as well as four pages of walk around type photos. The cockpit photos in this section are worthy of note and will be very helpful to any modeller. Feel like scratch building the wing fold mechanism? You will find some excellent shots of that area throughout the book. From looking at photographs you would think that the Wyvern’s undercarriage is a bit spindly. However, take a look at the photo on page twenty-eight and you’ll see that the gear is indeed large and robust. In addition, the men standing under the wing give some perspective to the size of this aircraft. A big brute indeed.
At the beginning of the book there is a description of each of the various marks and in my opinion this is an excellent idea as you don’t have to guess at the characteristics of the aircraft in any photograph you’re viewing. One addition I’d like to see, and I say this for all publications, would be the inclusion of an acronym list.
The 1/72nd drawings are excellent and provide all the detail you could ever want for each mark of the Wyvern. Many scrap drawings of things like the gear, tail hook and canopies are also included. One disappointing item is the mislabelling of some of the cockpit accessories in the otherwise excellent drawing on page twenty-four. I’m sure a short and concentrated proof reading would have picked up these errors as they are quite obvious. All external stores are well illustrated with photographs and drawings as well as a placement illustration on the inside back cover. Colour photographs of some bombs and rockets are also included.
Colour and camouflage information is covered in multiple shaded line drawings with the text describing the colours and markings placement. The majority of the Wyverns were in the standard colour scheme of extra dark sea grey and sky. However, if you would like to add some colour to your Wyvern the yellow and black bands added to the wings and fuselage of the aircraft participating in Operation Musketeer, the Suez Crisis of 1956 should do it for you.
This publication is very highly recommended as a resource for the aviation modeller, enthusiast or historian. Did I miss anyone? If you have even the slightest interest in the Wyvern this book is for you. Not interested by the Wyvern? Get this book and you will change your mind.
The review copy was generously donated by Mark I Ltd., Czech Republic
Reviewed by Jim MacKenzie C2465
The Wyvern book is in soft cover format with stapled binding. There are thirty-six pages plus the covers and the information contained within these pages make it well worth the suggested retail price of $16.50 US or approximately $21.25 CDN according to the online currency converter at the time of writing. There is a wealth of photographic information with all of the photos presented in a large and exceptionally clear format considering the time frame in which the majority of the photographs were taken.
Colour photographs grace the front and back covers as well as four pages of walk around type photos. The cockpit photos in this section are worthy of note and will be very helpful to any modeller. Feel like scratch building the wing fold mechanism? You will find some excellent shots of that area throughout the book. From looking at photographs you would think that the Wyvern’s undercarriage is a bit spindly. However, take a look at the photo on page twenty-eight and you’ll see that the gear is indeed large and robust. In addition, the men standing under the wing give some perspective to the size of this aircraft. A big brute indeed.
At the beginning of the book there is a description of each of the various marks and in my opinion this is an excellent idea as you don’t have to guess at the characteristics of the aircraft in any photograph you’re viewing. One addition I’d like to see, and I say this for all publications, would be the inclusion of an acronym list.
The 1/72nd drawings are excellent and provide all the detail you could ever want for each mark of the Wyvern. Many scrap drawings of things like the gear, tail hook and canopies are also included. One disappointing item is the mislabelling of some of the cockpit accessories in the otherwise excellent drawing on page twenty-four. I’m sure a short and concentrated proof reading would have picked up these errors as they are quite obvious. All external stores are well illustrated with photographs and drawings as well as a placement illustration on the inside back cover. Colour photographs of some bombs and rockets are also included.
Colour and camouflage information is covered in multiple shaded line drawings with the text describing the colours and markings placement. The majority of the Wyverns were in the standard colour scheme of extra dark sea grey and sky. However, if you would like to add some colour to your Wyvern the yellow and black bands added to the wings and fuselage of the aircraft participating in Operation Musketeer, the Suez Crisis of 1956 should do it for you.
This publication is very highly recommended as a resource for the aviation modeller, enthusiast or historian. Did I miss anyone? If you have even the slightest interest in the Wyvern this book is for you. Not interested by the Wyvern? Get this book and you will change your mind.
The review copy was generously donated by Mark I Ltd., Czech Republic
Reviewed by Jim MacKenzie C2465