Arado Ar 234 Blitz, Vol. I Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

This account of the world’s first operational jet bomber begins with a legendary reconnaissance mission.

That’s how Kagero launches the first volume of Arado Ar 234 Blitz – 61st installment in its popular “3D” monographs range.

In June 1944, the seventh “trolley & skid” configured prototype photographed Normandy invasion sites – and, for the first time, accurately revealed the colossal scope of the Allied assault on Nazi German defenders.

From that event, authors Marek Murawski and Marek Rys, in the first part of their book, detail Ar 234 B and C design and development. Coverage competently and chronologically courses through both operational and proposed variants – including some that remained drawing board concepts.

Here, Kagero’s lavishly illustrated study sports dozens of lip-smacking detail shots – especially cockpit, armament and cowling iterations.

With exceptional maneuverability – reportedly better, in fact, than the Me 262’s – Arado’s compact combatant also helped pioneer jet-propulsion innovations. These included rocket-assist take-off and parachute braking. Murawski recaps these, too.

But this monograph really turns meaty for modelers in its second part.

That’s where you’ll find 65 pages of Ar 234 3D general and detail drawings – the hallmark of Kagero’s amazing series. Four more pages of color close-ups spotlight NASM’s restored B-2. And ten profiles sample Blitz schemes.

Wow. Add line drawings to 1:32, 1:48 and 1:72 scales. And this superb study certainly provides plenty of potent project support. Looking to super-accuratize that Hasegawa kit? Upgrade that Hobbycraft Blitz? Look here.

Roundly recommended!

My sincere thanks to Casemate for this review sample!