The Fairey Firefly, A Detailed Guide to the Fleet Air Arm's Versatile Monoplane
By Jacob Russell
Author: Richard A. Franks
Publisher: Valiant Wings Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-912932-28-3
Cover: softcover
Pages: 162
Valiant Wings' new book covers the Fairey Firefly's history and development, including the variants from the F Mk IA through FR Mk 5 plus the Night Fighters, dual cockpit Trainers and drones. This is the 18th volume in the Airframe Album series. The book is divided into 4 Sections, Technical Description, Evolution, Camouflage & Markings and Models. The final section consists of a Steve Evans build of Trumpeter's 1/48th scale Mk.I kit.
The Fairey Firefly was in service with the Fleet Air Arm from December of 1943 through the final delivery in December of 1953. The U Mk. 9 Firefly drone was still in service in Malta as late of 1961. Such a length of service is all the more remarkable given how much airplanes evolved in that span of time.
The book is full of period photographs and Technical Manual drawings of the Firefly's cockpit, fuselage, armament, etc. The pictures and the drawings will be very useful for detailing your model. There are also 3 Appendices. These include a Kit List, an Accessory, Decals & Mask List and a Bibliography.
This is a great all-in-one reference for fans of the Fleet Air Arm's versatile monoplane. There are good kits in the popular 1/72nd and 1/48th scales from AZ Models, Special Hobby and Trumpeter. I recommend this book and I would like to thank Valiant Wings Books for the review sample.