Terrill Clements

Osprey Publishing 2001

ISBN 1-84176-224-5

Appx. $18.00

Review by Mike Gawell

This book review has to start with an apology to the author. Although this all is almost ancient history, I took the position based upon a few old photos in color from a LIFE magazine, that his findings were wrong. Terrill, you are correct, and I apologize for being such a horse’s patootie.

I was sadly mistaken

I must comment first off, as I sometimes do that this book has taken a great concept, and gone one better. I was hoping when this book came out, so soon after the P-39 book had included a section on colours and markings, that Osprey had seen the light, and ALL the series would include the information such as is in the book here. I LIKE this idea. It makes the series of great use to the modeler.

Terrill Clements is “one of us” a guy with an interest in history, and a guy who happens to belong to an IPMS club in Seattle who also happens to be a great author. He is credentialed by having been able to interview many of the surviving tigers, and also did the work I believe for the Aeromaster sheets on the AVG. In other words; “This guy knows his stuff!!”

The book contains much of the standard and now famously popular Aces format 96 or so pages, a litany of great photos, and the best profiles you can shake a stick at….and in the case of this volume, the stick too! While the aces are mentioned in this volume, and to a degree of complete satisfaction with the Osprey series, Terrill has taken it further, and takes the time to explain the evolution of the markings of the AVG aircraft to include for us that build models…FS color callouts and the origin of the paints. This alone marks this as the very best of the series to date in my opinion.

The volume contains 27 profiles, of AVG aircraft, 2 plane views (top and bottom), close ups of some of the more important artwork, and of the noses of 2 aircraft to illustrate in visual detail the differences in the AVG shark mouths. Then to top it off, he adds a full color section with some of the best of color used to capture the AVG pilots, and surroundings in their Koda-chromed glory.

The numerous characterizations of the aces, and the fliers who made the AVG what it was make these heroes of aviation history come alive once again, and are extremely compelling. The photos which are numerous, and some if I am not mistaken, never before published make it easy to understand the conditions in which the Tigers flew, and this really brought it home to me just in fat that even if these men had shot down only one half the aircraft they did indeed shoot down, they are still heroes in a time when the Allies badly needed someone with, not only fighting spirit, but a dash of daring do to compete against some of the best army aviators in the world at that time.

I give this book my highest recommendation as both a great read, and a great resource on the AVG. I know that when I build my next P-40B, this volume will be right next to the model box.

Review copy courtesy of my own personal hero, my Dad who has just beaten cancer as of the July 2002 writing of this review….thanks Dad…

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