Bent Throttles
Journal of the Racing & Record Aircraft
Special Interest Group of IPMS-UK No. 25,
January 2003

Reviewed by Jim Schubert

There are two features of great personal interest to me in this 18 page issue. the first is on the Cobra I and II of the Jack Woolams and Tex Johnston modified P-39 racers - Tex won the 1946 Thompson Trophy in Cobra II. As most avaition enthusiasts know, Tex was later Director of Engineering Flight Test at Boeing and is famous (infamous?) for twice barrel rolling the 367-80 prototype of the 707 over Seafair crowds in Seattle in 1955. I was fortunate to be a witness to that event. 1:72 scale drawings are provided by SIG leader Anders Bruun of both Cobras to accompany Keith Davidson's article. Anders has also included the graphics needed for you to copy the markings and print them on decal stock with your computer/printer.

The second article of great interest to me is on the Me.209 V1 welt rekord airplane of 1939. Friedhelm Wegner has written a history of the Me.209 V1 illustrated with seven B & W photos and the best drawings of this plane that I've ever seen provided by Günter Sengfelder and Ferdinand Käsmann. The Me.209 coverage includes a build-review of the Huma 1:72 scale kit, an in-the-box review of the 1:48 scale Replicast kit and a couple of photos of Günter Sengfelder's 1:15 scale scratchbuilt model.

Other contents include kit and book reviews, 1:48 scale drawings of Formula I racer "Shoestring" and general SIG news. This journal is alway interesting containing many useful drawings and photos.

Contact SIG leader Anders Bruun for membership details. He accepts US dollars cash! If you like racers or speed or distance recod airplanes you ought to join this SIG. IPMS membership is recommended but not required.