Douglas F3D Skyknight
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Authors: José Fernandez and Przemyslaw Skulski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-83-61421-70-2
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 136
The Douglas Skyknight has experienced a nice bit of attention in the modeling world over the last few years, and we now have quality kits in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Following on that have been several useful reference books, and Mushroom Model Publications has added to that library with their latest title. Done in their Yellow Series, the book documents the development and variant differences.
On the latter, I was somewhat surprised by the number of variant options, as I thought there was just the F3D-1 and F3D-2. In fact, there was also the F3D-1M, F3D-2B, F3D-2M, F3D-2Q, F3D-2T, F3D-2T2, and the F3D-3 (which was a planned variant that never went into production). The designations of Navy aircraft changed during the Skyknight's career, so some of these designations changed to EF-10 examples (which are clearly referenced in the text).
In addition to the variant overview and development text, the book also includes some coverage of the wartime exploits of the Skyknight over Korea. While this is the most well-known combat usage of the Skyknight, the plane also saw action during the Vietnam War as an electronic warfare aircraft. This book documents that history as well.
Complementing the text throughout are some outstanding photos, including quite a few great color shots. These cover the early prototypes and test aircraft as well as Korean and Vietnam combat aircraft. Adding to the colors and markings of the Skyknight, the book features several color profile illustrations that span the entire life of the F3D. A set of scale drawings and a photo walkaround round out the comprehensive coverage in this book.
For those looking for a good reference on the Skyknight, this book has just about everything you could hope for. Detailed photo coverage, colorful illustrations, and a nicely written text makes this a great addition to any Navy jet reference library. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.