Operation Torch Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | October 2012 | Title | Operation Torch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Neil Robinson | Publisher | AIRfile |
| Published | 2012 | ISBN | 978-0956980267 |
| Format | 72 pages, softbound | MSRP (BP) | £17.99 |
Review
Operation Torch – World War II's first large-scale Anglo-American amphibious action – remains one of aviation history's most colorful chapters. And the latest installment from AIRfile Publications brilliantly – and literally – illustrates this.
Operation Torch – The Invasion of French North Africa November to December 1942 expertly traces all apposite aerial operations.
Author Robinson smoothly moves from a useful overview through sections on Vichy French, Fleet Air Arm, U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and USAAF assets to concluding Axis coverage – German and Italian.
The amply illustrated effort sports dozens of color profiles in large, softbound format. Each caption details aircraft type, serial, unit, location, date and comments. All prove inspirational – and some downright gaudy!
But unlike the publisher's evocative RAF Trainers Volume 1 — 1918-1945, captions lack helpful photo reference citations. I also preferred more specific markings detail – like insignia and code sizes. Fact-check those Macchi C. 202 "smoke ring" and Savoia-Marchetti S.84 schemes. And the aspect ratio of those Vichy Hawk 75 profiles looks somewhat suspicious.
But I quibble. AIRlife's latest packs plenty into one handy, helpful tome. Consider it a terrific springboard for further study, project planning, "theme" builds and group activities. Operation Torch certainly roused my modeling muse!
Robustly recommended.
My sincere thanks to AIRfile Publications for this review sample!