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Mushroom Model Publications |
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Boulton Paul Defiant by Mark Ansell |
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Reviewed By Paul Bradley, #35554 |
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MSRP: $22.95 USD This latest in MMP’s Yellow Series on aircraft is about the RAF’s last turret fighter, the Boulton Paul Defiant. Although basically a sound aircraft, the Defiant suffered from being designed to fulfill an outmoded concept, that of the turret-armed bomber destroyer. Despite some initial successes, it was soon shown to be very vulnerable to the latest fighters. From late 1940, it was relegated to the night fighter role, a role in which the Defiant was an excellent stop-gap until purpose designed aircraft took the role. The Defiant saw out its days in the important but far from glamorous roles of target tug and air-sea rescue craft. Mark Ansell is well-versed in the Defiant, being an active member of the Boulton Paul Association which is responsible, amongst other things, for creating a full scale replica of the Defiant. As such, he has been able to draw from their archives many new photos and crew reminisces. He divides his book into three sections. The first section is a liberally-illustrated short history and description of the type and its service in all roles. This is interspersed with a comprehensive set of plans to 1/72 scale. Of particular use to modelers is a section describing and illustrating the turret, the raison d’etre of the Defiant. The meat of the book is the second section, a thorough selection of close up photos of the sole remaining Defiant, N1671, which is on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon. Last, but by no means least, the third section is a 21-page selection of well-produced color profiles that are sure to whet the appetite of Defiant modelers. These include a profile of a Defiant in American service – quite a rarity – and a selection of machines operated by Polish squadrons of the RAF. This is not a comprehensive history of the Defiant, nor is it intended to be. But for the modeler, this book contains just about all you’ll need to know to create and improve your MPM, Pavla or Classic Airframes kits. Defiant books are as rare as hen’s teeth, so it is useful to know that this book really is a one-stop modeler’s reference for the Defiant. As such, I can highly recommend this book. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review sample. Their website is www.mmpbooks.biz. MMP books are available in the US from Squadron. |
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