Military Model Scene

Title: Lockheed C-130
Author: Ben Skipper
Publisher: FlightCraft
ISBN: 978-1-39908-037-8

For FlightCraft number 32, publishers Pen & Sword, along with author Ben Skipper, have turned their attention to the iconic post-war transport aircraft the Hercules. A 96-page soft-cover book in the now established style for this series.
Aimed at both the aircraft enthusiast and especially the aircraft modeller, there are 2 distinct elements to this one, with the first 62-pages devoted to the real thing, and the remaining 32-pages firmly focussed on the models. The Introduction sets the scene for the story of this incredible medium transport aircraft. It has been in both service and production for over 70 years now. The main story then starts with the Design & Development behind the design, which soon after the Korean war emerged as the C-130. The first examples had Alison engines with 3-bladed propellers and a much smoother/smaller nose. It goes on through the changed shape of the nose, the change to a 4-bladed propeller and in the latest versions, the C-130J, using 6-bladed units. Very cable of operating in a complete range of conditions, from the desert to the arctic, it has even proved capable of landing on an aircraft carrier. These points and more are covered in the section on the main Production Models. In Service & In Action illustrates the many and varied uses that the C-130 has been adapted for, in service with over 70 nations around the world, and does include the civilian versions (L100 etc). An undercarriage capable to operating on rough ground, or even equipped with skis to fly from snowbound surfaces. They operate as heavily armed gunships, as weather monitors, search & rescue, coast guard, aerial refuelling tankers and so many more, as well as the basic cargo or troop carrier and many are covered in a section o C-130 variants before getting to an 8-page section of colour profile artwork which illustrates the wide variety of colours and marking worn by these aircraft over its long career.
That leaves the final element of the book focussing on the models and extra detailing accessories which are available for it, there are 3 showcase builds of some expertly made models, all using 1/72 kits. An Italeri C-130 J C5 in RAF markings, a Zvezda C-130 J30 of the Royal Australian Air Force and finally an AC-130J gunship, Ghostrider.
Well illustrated throughout with plenty of excellent colour photographs of all sorts of Hercules variants, in use by many operators around the world. From the drab greys of many modern examples, to the bright colours of 'Fat Albert', famously used to support the Blue Angels display team. The C-130 is one of only a very small number of types to remain in service with US forces for over 50 years, and there is no immediate end in sight for it just yet. With such an incredible story, I feel that author Ben has done a really good job of fitting it all in to the constraints of this book series, and the models I am sure will inspire plenty of modellers to build their own examples.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin