Military Model Scene

Title: Bf 109 Jabo Units in the West
Author: Malcolm V Lowe
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5445-2

Number 149 in the Combat Aircraft series from Osprey. A 96-page soft-cover book.
While the basic fighter variant of the Bf 109 is so well known, it was also used as a fighter-bomber, or Jabo (Jagdbomber). The introduction starts off with the background, and how during the Spanish Civil War, as the Heinkel He 51 fighter was outclassed by newer Russian designs, they found a new role as a Jabo. In WW2, after initial success with the Bf 109E, they came up against British Spitfires and Hurricanes while the likes of the Stuka and the Me 110 were also unable to fulfil their intended role as they were too slow, so the Me 109 provided a faster option. Modifications to the 109Es already made, plus some new build examples, and to the Bf 109 proved a capable alternative, fitted with bomb racks under the centreline, or smaller weapons on underwing racks. Two more chapters take us through the story of the various units, and many of the pilots, and the experience in Combat, from mid-1940 through to 1942. There were changes over time, as they attacked priority targets in the UK and anti-shipping operations, even a couple of examples where aircraft were shot down. One was used in a fund raising tour of the USA and one of the later Bf 109F was repaired for flight testing. The final chapter looks at the 'Grand Finale', when they were used in Operation Bodenplatte in late 1944, the air assault on allied airfields in support of 'Wacht am Rhein', the assault on the Ardennes in December 1944.
As well as the interesting story, there are plenty of archive photos throughout the book as we would expect, along with a 12-page block are first class full colour profiles, with the details of each illustration contained in an appendix at the back of the book. A slightly different take on the operation of the famous Me Bf 198, but outside of the basic fighter role for which it is so famous. Aviation historians will enjoy this one, while modellers will like the colour profiles and some of the detail to be seen in the photos.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin