Krajci, Milan Messerschmitt Bf 109E. Units in the Battle of Britain. Part 1: JG2, JG3, JG26

This book is the first of three in the "Wingleader Photo Archive" series devoted to Bf 109 Units in the Battle of Britain. This is a project that the authors were actually working on some years ago but which stalled through the lack of decent photographs. With the launch of the "Wingleader" series, they saw a way of revitalising the project using all the profiles that had been prepared, and introducing a lot of newly discovered 109 photos. The result is slightly different to the "Spitfire" Mk I book in that this one concentrates on the units rather than the history of the aircraft itself. The great thing is that each "Staffel" has a specially commissioned profile by renowned digital artist Piotr Forkasiewicz, (39 in this book alone and 8 extra pages because of it), making it a remarkably colourful read in every way. The aim of this book is to help the reader identify and understand the various styles of camouflage and markings used by the Bf 109 units during the Battle. Some had large numerals, some small, some had heavily mottled sides, others pale blue. Most had emblems and some carried both the Gruppe and Staffel emblems at the same time. The colours of the markings were also significant of course, and again this book explains the system behind them.

For each of the fighter squadrons covered here (JG 2, JG 3 and JG 26) there are specially commissioned aircraft profiles by renowned digital artist Piotr Forkasiewicz. The aim of this book is to help the reader identify and understand the different paint schemes and marking styles used by the Bf 109 units during the battle. Some had large numerals, some small, some heavily stained sides, others were simply light blue. Most had emblems and some wore the group and squadron emblems at the same time. Of course, the colours of the markings were also important, which is also explained in this book.