Blackburn Kangaroo
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Windsock Datafile 137
Author: C A Owers
Publisher: Albatros Publications
ISBN: 978-1-906798-04-8
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 32
Blackburn has never been known for attractive aircraft designs, and their large Kangaroo bomber is no exception. The plane, while not the most attractive of types, still performed well against submarines during the First World War, and had an interesting post-war history as well. This new title in the Windsock Datafile series details the story of the Blackburn Kangaroo, providing aviation historians and modelers with what is easily the most complete reference on this type to date.
The book begins with a short anecdote of a Kangaroo on a sub hunt, with B9983 finding and engaging UC70. The outcome is predictable, with the Kangaroo dropping its bombs over the top of the submerged U-boat. After calling in a surface ship, the aircraft circled and watched the final depth charges finish the submarine off. With a good story like that to kick things off, one would expect the rest of the text to keep the interest high, and it does. From the development to its operational history to its post-war usage, the text remains a great read.
The Datafile series is not just the written word, though, and this book continues that tradition with copious photographs and drawings. The photos provide quite a bit of information, from general markings to details, and as such will be a great use to modelers. Likewise, the center section scale drawings will provide all one would need to scratchbuild a model of the Blackburn Kangaroo.
While an obscure type, this book does an excellent job of covering it, and as such should be an essential reference for anyone interested in the Kangaroo. My thanks to Albatros Publications for the review copy.