French Flying Boats 1924-1939 Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | November 2019 | Title | French Flying Boats 1924-1939 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Marcin Wawrzynkowski | Publisher | Mushroom Model Publications |
| Published | 2019 | ISBN | 9788365958501 |
| Format | 96 pages, softbound | MSRP (GBP) | £18.00 |
Review
Marcin Wawrzynkowski explores French Flying Boats in between-wars Polish service in the 27th “Polish Wings” title from MMP/Stratus.
Spanning 1924-1939, contents commence with notes on Polish Naval Aviation and camouflage & markings. The lavishly illustrated, 96-page survey then recaps seven designs:
- Lioré et Olivier LeO H-13B3,
- LeO H-13E,
- CAMS 30E,
- Latham 43 HB.3,
- Schreck FBA 17 HMT.2,
- Schreck FBA 17 HE.2,
- Lioré et Olivier LeO H-135B3
All left frontline use before Nazi Germany’s 1939 attack. Two surviving Schreck FBA 17s were destroyed in combat early that September. And wreckage of a LeO H-135B3 lost in 1930 still survives, surprisingly, beneath Lake Lapolice west of Gdansk.
Sections recap acquisition, service, and, where known, fates. Anecdotes, tables, and extended, explanatory captions augment accounts.
Reference photos also accompany subjects. And color art includes profile, plan, inset, and detail views. Janusz Swiatlon’s work is excellent.
But good luck finding scale model kits of this title’s flying boats. So start sharpening your conversion and scratch-building skills.
Recommended!
With thanks to MMP for the review copy.