Luftwaffe Im Focus

Edition No. 2
Start, 2003
ISBN 3-9808468-1-4
48 pages, softbound
$14 from Hangar3

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

Publications on the Luftwaffe during the Second World War are probably the most common sight on model shop bookshelves, so it is rare that a new title surprises me. This book does just that, though, and the reason is clearly stated at the top of the cover: unpublished photos. This book is filled with photos never before seen, with the majority being very clear and sharp. While most of the book deals with fighters, the coverage spreads the breadth of the Luftwaffe and includes everything from gliders to bombers. A small number of the photos are in color, and in addition to these there are a handful of color profiles and illustrations of unit badges.

Some examples that you will find in this edition include four photos of a Bf 109E-1, Yellow 11, of I./JG 53 that belly-landed in France. The photos show an impromptu recovery of the plane using a quickly-built wheel & axle arrangement under the nose. There is also a selection of photos surrounding glider operations during a resistance uprising in Yugoslavia in 1943, accompanied by an interesting history of the events. Another interesting photo shows a belly-landed He 111 with temporary black undersurfaces. What makes this photo interesting is the tail-mounted flamethrower, apparently designed to prevent attacks from the rear.

This is well worth the price, and anyone who is even remotely interested in the Luftwaffe during the Second World War should pick this one up. The amount of information presented here in the form of photos is unmatched and is easily worth the $14 price. Very highly recommended.

Be sure to check out Hangar3 for ordering information.