 Modellers
Datafile 9
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 – Part 1:
Prototype to “E” Variants: Lynn Ritger,
SAM Publications, UK, 2005,
ISBN 0-9551858-0-7
WOW! I’m impressed and I’m not even a 109
fan. This is a great book for aviation enthusiasts and modelers. On my
initial flip-through upon receipt, I was immediately disappointed that
it did not address the “V” (Versuchs – test/prototype)
series in much depth. When, however, I sat down and seriously read the
book, I found its many other virtues completely outweighed my initial
misgivings.
The main feature of Lynn Ritger’s presentation that so impresses
me is the thorough historical context into which he inserts his tale of
the early Bf 109s. He starts with the political and economic fallout of
WWI; explaining the naïve unpreparedness and unawareness of France,
Britain, Belgium, Holland, Norway and Denmark to the real world in which
they lived in proximity to an angered, humiliated, strong Germany eager
for revenge and expansion. This gives the reader the historical setting
for the emergence of the Bf 109 and its classical adversaries. This book
is not just a techie’s coverage of the nuts and bolts of an airplane
type; although it is that too. It is the whole story. I have four others
of SAM’s Modellers Datafiles: the two Spitfire volumes, the Hurricane
and the Mosquito. This volume is far and away the best of the lot. The
only quibbles I have with Mr. Ritger’s work is the already mentioned
slighting of the V series and that the photos, almost all in color, in
the walkaround section are all too small.
Everything a serious modeler needs, not only to build but, to understand
the early 109s is in this book. The section that will become most quickly
dated, however, relates to build reviews of 12 current kits of the 109.
Apart from the outstanding quality of the contents, here – by
the numbers – is what you get for your money:
· 176 pages well printed on good quality, glossy paper bound
in stout paper covers,
· 303 black & white photos,
· 276 color photos,
· 63 drawings,
· 45 color profiles,
· 16 tables of deployments and losses,
· Two color CGI renderings on the covers and
· A quadruple foldout with 29 general arrangement and detail
drawings.
My library is a little light on 109 stuff but I do have the Airfix book,
the two Aero Details, Russ Snadden’s book on Black 6 and Warpaint
Special No. 2 illustrated and written by our own Publisher Chris Banyai-Riepl.
This volume from SAM is far better than any of those. I shall buy Part
2 immediately it is offered.
It is, indeed, a single source reference. Buy one.
I paid about US$31.00 plus shipping directly from the publisher.
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