P-47 Thunderbolt In Action Book Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | July 2014 | Title | P-47 Thunderbolt In Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | David Doyle | Publisher | Squadron/Signal Publications |
| Published | 2014 | ISBN | 978-0-89747-749-9 |
| Format | 88 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $18.95 |
Review
Squadron/Signal has released a new In Action covering the P-47 Thunderbolt in all of its variants from author David Doyle. This is produced in Squadron's updated format which has far more color photos and profiles throughout the title versus the old-school 'In Actions' with the only color being in the centerfold and covers. As you can imagine, there is far more information (photos, drawings, diagrams, history, etc.) on this subject than can be covered in 88 pages, but the author provides some great information using many images not previously released in past 'In Actions'.
What is especially noteworthy is that many of those rare full-color wartime photographs can be presented in color in these titles. You can see some of those interesting color schemes worn by the 56th Fighter Group in color and with the improved printing technology used, see the affects of wear and tear on the ANA colors as well as the 'borrowed' RAF colors on some aircraft.
From initial prototypes to the P-47N, the author does a great job walking you through the Thunderbolt in training and in combat as well as some good post-war shots before the fledgling Air Force decided it was better to use the liquid-cooled P-51 Mustang in air-to-ground combat in Korea rather than the built-for-purpose Jug.
The title is an excellent resource for modeler and historian alike. I'd love to see the author develop an in-depth study of the Thunderbolt as he did with the DUKW and GMC truck titles. This is the third P-47 Thunderbolt In Action title from Squadron/Signal Publications, each one taking a different look at the breadth of information out there. What would be nice in a more comprehensive title is to consolidate the knowledge from the earlier In Actions on the P-47 such as the first (number 18) that is one of the few resources for decoding the group and squadron colors and markings for P-47s in Europe and in the Pacific.
If you've been collecting these titles for a while, this latest In Action will compliment the previous two P-47 Thunderbolt In Action titles and if you haven't, you'll at least want to find number 18 (1018) as well as number 1067 to bolster your library on this great subject.
My sincere thanks to Squadron/Signal Publications for this review sample!