MMP’s recent book on USAF aircraft in Vietnam does much more than document their colours, says CHRIS CLIFFORD.
The Vietnam War is a perennial favourite for modellers, especially those building the flying machines involved. One reason for exploring this theme is the variety and choice on the American side alone, besides the aircraft flown by the Communist opposition.
This new weighty hardback from Mushroom Model Publishing (MMP) has the USAF’s aircraft as its focus and, with the title US Combat Aircraft Colours Over Vietnam 1964-75, you’d think this would delve into the various forms of camouflage and markings employed… and ostensibly it does, although ‘delve’ is too strong a word, because there is only so much information you can impart about the handful of shades used.
To fill this impressive 312-page tome, MMP’s approach is to discuss various USAF types in turn; the bulk of the narrative covers each in a general sense first, followed by their entry into the Southeast Asia theatre and subsequent missions (and capabilities). All this is done in workmanlike detail, with regard to dates, types, units and even actual aircrew.
At the end of each chapter there is a Paint scheme sub-heading and following content, whereby the…
