Description

Wings of the Black Cross Number Twelve provides sixty-two captioned photos, many published here for the first time. Most of the images reside in the author’s personal collection, though some have been contributed by select individuals. Types include He 123, Bf 109 E, F, F Trop, G-14, the Fw 190 F-8, F and A-7; the Ju 87, Bf 110, He 219, He 115, Fi 156, He 177, Do 17, and Do 217.  The format is maintained with eight colour profiles provided at the end. The contents are printed on thirty-six, high quality gloss pages, a standard used throughout the series.

Two areas in the book provide the reader with further study. First, there is a detailed photographic examination of the camouflage and markings of the Fw 190 F-8s of I./SG 151. There is also a slight departure from earlier titles which focused entirely on aircraft. In this issue, the author broadens the narrative by taking a brief look at a German airfield located at Zeltweg, Austria. It was used by the Luftwaffe for the duration of the war in various capacities. Select photos show some of the hangars and derelict aircraft discovered there in 1945, including Ju 87, Ju 88, Do 217 and Bf 110.

Additionally, several Luftwaffe aircraft are presented in RAF markings such as Fw 190, Ta 152, He 177, Ju 88, Bf 109 G-14, Bf 110, Do 335 and Ju 87.

Mark Proulx continues his successful collaboration with colour illustrator, James Bentley. As with other titles in the series, eight colour profiles are provided based on interpretations of black and white photos, also included. The profiles are the result of hours of study and debate as Bentley strives to provide the most accurate colour profiles possible.