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International Air Power Review

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

Volume 3
Airtime Publishing, ©2001, 2002
ISBN 1-880588-36-6
184 Pages, Softbound, $19.95
Also available in hardbound

This quarterly publication is the latest from Airtime Publishing and replaces both Wings of Fame and World Air Power Journal. Combining the subject matter of both of those titles, the new International Air Power Review offers current aviation news as well as historical articles and type overviews.

Volume 3 offers up some interesting material. Starting at the beginning there's an overview of the Djibouti Air Force, the Mitsubishi/Sikorsky SH-60K, the Eurocopter 'Aussie Tiger' and the MiG-29K/KUB/M/M2/OVT. Following this comes a pair of photo features, one on Turkish fast-jet training and the other on Argentina's Fighter School, Grupo Aereo 4 de Caza. Both of these features have plenty of color photos of some interesting aircraft not often seen outside of their respective countries.

Following this comes an Air Power Analysis of Belgium covering the current force and structure of the Belgian Air Force. This is complete with photos of examples of several plane types flown by the Belgian Air Force as well as squadron and wing information, including a map showing the locations of all the air bases. There is also an overview of what the Belgian Air Force has done worldwide after the Second World War.

There are five aircraft type articles in this book with the focus aircraft being the F-14 Tomcat. Photos and drawings cover this plane completely and there is a comprehensive listing of Tomcat operators. The second aircraft type article is a variant briefing of the AS 332, AS 532 and EC 725 Super Puma & Cougar helicopter, complete with drawings showing the differences. The next two planes covered are the IAR-93 Orao and the CP-107 Argus, both aircraft being types not often covered, while the final type is that of the famous World War Two fighter, the Fw 190.

For some very interesting reading and a glimpse into the dark world of high-altitude reconnaissance, there is a short article on the obscure Senior Bowl program. For those not familiar with the Senior Bowl name this program was the code name for the D-21 drone, first flown aloft on the back of an A-12 and later used operationally from B-52Hs. Just as interesting but not quite as obscure, the final article in the book covers combat operations of the F-82 Twin Mustang in Korea.

If you haven't seen this new series you really need to track them down. The amount of information and quality presentation is excellent, with enough interesting reading material to keep you busy for a while.

Subscription information and back issue ordering can be obtained by calling 800-359-3003 or by e-mailing airpower@airtimepublishing.com.