Top Drawings
19 total works
First prototypes of German tank destroyer Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) were built in 1937 and based on PzKpfw III Ausf. B tank. Vehicles were armed with short-barelled 75mm gun. From spring, 1942, StuG IIIs were equipped with StuK 40 75mm gun. Self propelled guns StuG III served in separated assault artillery units, and later in self propelled guns brigades. They were also used in support units of armoured divisions.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the backbone of the German Luftwaffe. Versatile, tough and well armoured, this nimble fighter was one of the most advanced aircraft of its era. Yet, even the perfect plane can be improved upon. The G variant was designed with a reinforced wing structure, bullet-proof windscreen and additional light-alloy armour. This gave the plane even greater versatility in combat, so much so it became the favourite of Erich Hartmann, the world’s top scoring fighter ace. Lavishly illustrated and filled with A4 drawings, this booklet is the perfect choice for any aspiring aviation modeller.
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was an advanced fighter developed by Germany to be the successor to the Mersserschmitt. Adapted to a wide variety of combat situations, Focke-Wulf soon began to dominate the skies, allowing Germany to take back their air superiority from Britain and her fearsome Spitfire Mk V. Some of the Luftwaffe’s most successful fighter aces few the Fw 190 and was soon preferred over its older counterpart. Filled with rich drawings that provide an unparalleled display of the fighter, this book is an ideal choice for any modeller which a penchant for recreating Germany’s most acclaimed aircraft.
Drawing sheets A4, 5 colour profiles
Messerschmitt Bf 109 G/K - G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-10, K-4
by Maciej Noszczak
Published 31 December 2018
Drawing sheets A4 and A3, 7 colour profiles
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft.Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status until mid-1944. Compared with Allied fighters of its day, including the jet-powered Gloster Meteor, it was much faster and better armed.
In combat, when properly flown, it proved difficult to counter due to its speed. Me 262 pilots claimed a total of 509 Allied kills against the loss of about 100 Me 262s. The design was pressed into a variety of roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance and even experimental night fighter versions.
About Top Drawings
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers.
In combat, when properly flown, it proved difficult to counter due to its speed. Me 262 pilots claimed a total of 509 Allied kills against the loss of about 100 Me 262s. The design was pressed into a variety of roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance and even experimental night fighter versions.
About Top Drawings
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers.
Chance Vought F4u Corsair a,C,D,P, Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk Iv
by Maciej Noszczak
Published 15 March 2019
The enormous war demand for all kinds of armaments, including fighters, caused the Vought factory to be overloaded with production. Therefore, it was extended to Brewster and Goodyear factories, where the production of F4U fighters began. Ultimately, 12,500 Corsairs were built in 16 different variants.
The first production version of the Corsair – F4U-1 – had a characteristic built-in fairing cabin, so-called birdcage, which also forced to lower the position of the pilot’s seat. There were many visible changes compared to the XF4U-1 prototype. First of all, the cockpit was moved 81 cm to the rear due to the installation of a much larger fuel tank in front of the cabin. The whole fuselage was then extended by 43 cm. Cockpit armor and a bulletproof windshield were also used. To improve visibility from the cabin, a windows behind the pilot’s headboard were added on both sides. The F4U-1 version was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8 twin wasp engine.
Another variant was the F4U-1A, in which more or less from mid to the end of the production a higher and wider canopies were used – very similar to the British Malcolm hood. The pilot’s seat was raised by 18 cm, which in addition with a new canopy and lengthening the tailwheel leg by 15 cm improved the visibility from the cockpit over the enormous nose of the machine. An important improvement was the introduction of much better oil shock absorbers on the main undercarriage, which eliminated the problem of “kangaroos” during landings. This had a considerable impact on Corsair service on board of aircraft carriers.
The first production version of the Corsair – F4U-1 – had a characteristic built-in fairing cabin, so-called birdcage, which also forced to lower the position of the pilot’s seat. There were many visible changes compared to the XF4U-1 prototype. First of all, the cockpit was moved 81 cm to the rear due to the installation of a much larger fuel tank in front of the cabin. The whole fuselage was then extended by 43 cm. Cockpit armor and a bulletproof windshield were also used. To improve visibility from the cabin, a windows behind the pilot’s headboard were added on both sides. The F4U-1 version was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8 twin wasp engine.
Another variant was the F4U-1A, in which more or less from mid to the end of the production a higher and wider canopies were used – very similar to the British Malcolm hood. The pilot’s seat was raised by 18 cm, which in addition with a new canopy and lengthening the tailwheel leg by 15 cm improved the visibility from the cockpit over the enormous nose of the machine. An important improvement was the introduction of much better oil shock absorbers on the main undercarriage, which eliminated the problem of “kangaroos” during landings. This had a considerable impact on Corsair service on board of aircraft carriers.
Before the P-47 Thunderbolt gained a “bubble top” fairing, these fighters had slightly different – some claim to be more racial – figure. In the first versions, the plane had a typical canopy built into the fuselage, which resulted in a slightly hunched line.
The first copies of the P-47B underwent a series of tests at the turn of 1941 and 1942. Initially, they were not very promising. One of the planes was lost because of the tail tearing off during the dive. In addition, at heights above 9144 m, the flaps froze, it was impossible to open the cabin hood, and the forces on the rudders were very big. At high speeds, the paint covering the elevators fell off and the aerodynamic pressure inflated their sheath (they were covered with canvas), causing dangerous tail vibrations. To remedy these problems, metal sheathing was introduced, elevators shape was changed and weight flaps were added. The propulsion of the P-47B version was a 2000 HP R-2800-21 engine. The time to reach the ceiling of 4572 m was 6.7 minutes. The aircraft developed a speed of 690 km/h at an altitude of 8230 m (in horizontal flight), which was a great result.
The first copies of the P-47B underwent a series of tests at the turn of 1941 and 1942. Initially, they were not very promising. One of the planes was lost because of the tail tearing off during the dive. In addition, at heights above 9144 m, the flaps froze, it was impossible to open the cabin hood, and the forces on the rudders were very big. At high speeds, the paint covering the elevators fell off and the aerodynamic pressure inflated their sheath (they were covered with canvas), causing dangerous tail vibrations. To remedy these problems, metal sheathing was introduced, elevators shape was changed and weight flaps were added. The propulsion of the P-47B version was a 2000 HP R-2800-21 engine. The time to reach the ceiling of 4572 m was 6.7 minutes. The aircraft developed a speed of 690 km/h at an altitude of 8230 m (in horizontal flight), which was a great result.
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' Junkers company in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early operational roles, but became one of the most versatile combat aircraft of the war. Known as "The Maid of all Work", the Ju 88 proved to be suited to almost any role.
This is a detailed technical guide to this formidable early variant, and provides exceptional reference for any modeller or enthusiast.
About the Series
This series of highly illustrated books presents detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers, with extras such as free decals, masking foil and photo-etched brass.
This is a detailed technical guide to this formidable early variant, and provides exceptional reference for any modeller or enthusiast.
About the Series
This series of highly illustrated books presents detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers, with extras such as free decals, masking foil and photo-etched brass.
The Ilyushin Il-2 was a World War II ground-attack aircraft, produced by the Soviet Union in very large numbers. In combination with its successor, the Ilyushin Il-10, over 40,000 were built, making it the single most produced military aircraft design in all of aviation history, as well as one of the most produced piloted aircraft in history. Regarded as the best ground attack aircraft of World War II, it was a prominent aircraft for tank killing with its accuracy in dive bombing and its 37mm guns penetrating their thin back armour.
To Il-2 pilots, the aircraft was simply the diminutive"Ilyusha". To the soldiers on the ground, it was the "Hunchback," the "Flying Tank" or the "Flying Infantryman".
The Il-2 aircraft played a crucial role on the Eastern Front, and in Soviet opinion it was the most decisive aircraft in the history of modern land warfare. Joseph Stalin said of them that"They are as essential to the Red Army as air and bread."
About Top Drawings
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers.
To Il-2 pilots, the aircraft was simply the diminutive"Ilyusha". To the soldiers on the ground, it was the "Hunchback," the "Flying Tank" or the "Flying Infantryman".
The Il-2 aircraft played a crucial role on the Eastern Front, and in Soviet opinion it was the most decisive aircraft in the history of modern land warfare. Joseph Stalin said of them that"They are as essential to the Red Army as air and bread."
About Top Drawings
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers.
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
The Bf 110's lack of agility in the air was its primary weakness. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110 equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. The Bf 110 enjoyed a successful period following the Battle of Britain as an air superiority fighter and strike aircraft in other theatres.
A highly detailed selection of drawings and full colour profiles illustrating the Bf 110G 'Gustav' and its sub-variants in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale, also with assorted profiles in larger scales. Also includes pull-out drawings in 1/32 and 1/48 scales, 4 pages of full-color profiles and decals representing selected profiles in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales.
About the Series
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers, with extras such as free decals, masking foil and photo-etched brass.
The Bf 110's lack of agility in the air was its primary weakness. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110 equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. The Bf 110 enjoyed a successful period following the Battle of Britain as an air superiority fighter and strike aircraft in other theatres.
A highly detailed selection of drawings and full colour profiles illustrating the Bf 110G 'Gustav' and its sub-variants in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale, also with assorted profiles in larger scales. Also includes pull-out drawings in 1/32 and 1/48 scales, 4 pages of full-color profiles and decals representing selected profiles in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales.
About the Series
This series of highly illustrated books present detailed scale drawings of aircraft and vehicles, with supporting colour profile artwork. With detailed captions on the history, combat action and development of each machine, each volume is an exceptional reference tool for modellers, with extras such as free decals, masking foil and photo-etched brass.
Junkers Ju 88 was an extremely versatile and universal bomber. Among its many variants, there were also night versions. Initially, all Ju 88 night fighter versions were based on Ju 88 A frames, in which various specialized equipment was assembled. The situation changed after the introduction of the Ju 88 G, which from the very beginning was designed as a night fighter. The fuselage of the aircraft was deprived of the lower gondola under the nose, which reduced the weight of the aircraft and improved its aerodynamics. Another visual change was the use of a square-shaped vertical stabilizer and a rudder, which was taken from Ju 188.
In 1916, the command of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) urgently needed a fighter that could successfully oppose the new German fighter planes: Albatros D.III and Fokker D.VII. The Royal Aircraft Factory in Farnborough was ordered to design and build a fighter that would match the armament, performance and engine power of its adversaries. An important requirement was also the ease of piloting, so that new pilots could gain combat value as soon as possible. The order was dealt with by a construction team headed by two constructors: H.P. Folland and J. Kenworthy. In the summer of 1916, a prototype of a new biplane was ready. The plane had a truss construction with a rectangular fuselage (with a rounded top). It was powered by a 150 HP Hispano-Suiza HS-8 in-line 8-cylinder engine. The wings had a rectangular shape, and their chamber was stiffened with double steel wires, four struts and additional strands. Ailerons were mounted on each wing. The engine had metal cowling, while the rest of the airframe was covered with canvas. The aircraft was designated S.E.5 (Scout Experimental). The prototype took off in November 1916.