Takao was the first of four Takao-class heavy cruisers designed to be an improvement over the previous Myōkō-class design. The Myōkō had proved to be unstable and required modifications, which were incorporated into the Takao design.The Takao-class ships were approved under the 1927 fiscal year budget as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's strategy of the Decisive Battle, forming the backbone of a multipurpose long-range strike force. Takao was built by the Yokosuka Naval shipyards, and like her sister ships, was named after a mountain. Launched on 12 May 1930 at the Yokosuka Navy Yard and commissioned on 31 May 1932, she was the lead ship of her class, assigned to the Pacific from the start of the war. In early 1942, Takao operated in the Java Sea in operations culminating in the Battle of the Java Sea in early March, when one of Takao's floatplanes bombed the Dutch merchant ship Enggano. The next night, Takao and Atago overtook the old United States Navy destroyer Pillsbury and sank her with no survivors. Throughout the rest of the war she was involved in various Pacific campaigns against the Allies. About the SeriesThis series focuses on the construction of famous ships – battleships, carriers, cruisers, and submarines. With ground-breaking 3D imagery, each corner, angle, and dimension of the ship is viewable. With various close-up views, and each 3D image based on actual technical scale drawings and photographs, this makes an exceptional reference tool. Information on the design, development and combat history of each vessel is also included, as well as numerous photographs and 1/350th scale drawings.

The book presents the history and combat operations of JG 53 "Pik As" - one of the Luftwaffe's most famous fighter wings. A collection of forty original photographs is supplemented by a list of all JG 53 commanders, details of each of the wing's squadrons and flights and a listing of the unit's equipment used during the war. Full-page, color aircraft profiles will serve as an excellent source of documentation and a welcome addition to a set of decals included with the book. • 28 pages• 41 archive photos• 4 painting schemes• 10 throws of painting schemes• format (sizes): (205x275 mm)• decals with markings in 3 scales• booklet binding

This monograph of the most famous dive bomber of World War II focuses on the design and combat operations of the late marks of the Stuka: the Ju 87D dive bomber and strike aircraft and the Ju 87G tank buster. In addition to the detailed description of the design, the book covers combat operations of the Luftwaffe units equipped with the D and G models, as well as the biographies of the most prominent aircrews who flew those aircraft in combat. The text is supplemented by original photographs and 3D drawings showing details of the design.

The monograph on the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate, WW2 Japanese fighter plane, discusses its origins and development (including subsequent modifications and variants: Ki-106, Ki-113, Ki-116, Ki-84R, Ki-84P and Ki-84N), camouflage and markings and operational history since its combat debut over China in Summer of 1944 till the end of the WW2. Each version is specified and described. The author uncoveres the fates of Ki-84s captured by the Americans and presents an evaluation of the aircraft. The book includes a comprehensive technical description, technical data, a glossary of some Japanese terms and names and lists of the IJAAF units equipped with Ki-84s and the IJAAF ranks.

Included in the latest Mini top colors is a decal sheet was printed by Cartograf. The authors selected the following vehicles:- Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. F of the 1st Ranger Battalion, Tunisia, spring 1943,- Sd.Kfz. 222 of No. 2 ACC, North Africa, 1943,- Jagdpanzer 38(t) „Chwat”, Warsaw, Poland, August 1944,- Pz.

This time the authors focused on the planes used in Europe, choosing the following schemes:- Mustang III FZ111, coded WC-V, usually flown by F/L Mieczysław Gorzula; No. 309 (Polish) Squadron, No. 133 (Polish) Wing, based at RAF Andrews Field, UK, May 1945,- Mustang IV KH663, coded PD-L, usually flown by W/O Leszek Bisanz; No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, 3rd Polish Fighter Wing, based at RAF Hethel, UK, 1946,- Mustang IVA KM112, coded PD-D, assigned to S/L Witold Łokuciewski; No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, 3rd Polish Fighter Wing, based at RAF Hethel, UK, 1946.All planes are presented and described in a 12 page, full-colour guidebook, which also includes five archive photos. One of the aircraft carries attractive nose art applied by the crew. The decals were printed by Cartograf. They include individual and national markings for all three schemes.

The Red Series is back with another issue devoted to the P-51 Mustang. This time the authors focused on the planes used in Europe, choosing the following schemes:- Mustang III FZ111, coded WC-V, usually flown by F/L Mieczysław Gorzula; No. 309 (Polish) Squadron, No. 133 (Polish) Wing, based at RAF Andrews Field, UK, May 1945,- Mustang IV KH663, coded PD-L, usually flown by W/O Leszek Bisanz; No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, 3rd Polish Fighter Wing, based at RAF Hethel, UK, 1946,- Mustang IVA KM112, coded PD-D, assigned to S/L Witold Łokuciewski; No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, 3rd Polish Fighter Wing, based at RAF Hethel, UK, 1946.All planes are presented and described in a 12 page, full-colour guidebook, which also includes five archive photos. One of the aircraft carries attractive nose art applied by the crew. The decals were printed by Cartograf. They include individual and national markings for all three schemes.

On July 3rd, 1866, a Prussian army overwhelmed and defeated an Austrian army near the fortress city of Königgrätz in a bloody battle that lasted all day. The foremost power in Germany and central Europe had been reduced to a second rate player. The event caused alarm in the rest of the Western world. How was a country like Prussia able to upset the balance of power in Europe, when only sixteen years earlier Austria’s treaty of Olmützit had put it in its place? Its performance as an Austrian ally had been less than stellar in the 2nd Schleswig War of 1864. Yet within five years a Prussian-led army would humble France and a Prussian King would be crowned Emperor of a united Germany. The history of the world would be changed forever.The story of this army is the subject of The Armies of Bismarck’s Wars, a new book by acclaimed military author and artist, Bruce Bassett-Powell. He chronicles its growth from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the reforms of the 1860s, as well as giving a full account of the wars against Denmark and Austria, showing how the confluence of the lives of Kaiser Wilhelm I, Helmuth von Molkte and Otto von Bismarck provided the ingredients that created such an irresistible force.This lavishly illustrated book describes the history and battles of the Prussian army, as well as lesser known details concerning its rise to prominence. The growth and influence of the General Staff is also examined, along with the recruitment and training of officers and men. The author fully describes the organisation of Prussia’s army and its fledgling navy, as well as the weapons with which they fought, in particular giving a detailed account of their dress and accoutrements, accompanied by 24 full-page colour illustrations of over 70 uniforms.

A brief history of one of the most famous fighter units of the Luftwaffe, JG 2 "Richthofen". The book includes a decal sheet printed by Cartograf, which contains 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 individual markings of the following planes:- Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4; W.Nr. 5159, 'White 9', flown by Oblt. Hermann Reifferscheidt, Kapitän of 1./JG 2, Beaumont-le-Roger airfield, France, October 1940,- Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2/B; 'Yellow 3', flown by Uffz. Richard Übelbacher of 6.(Jabo)/JG 2, Abbeville-Drucat airfield, France, summer 1941,- Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2; W.

Luftwaffe versus USAAF 8th Air Force Vol. I – Another remarkable book in Air Battles series gives its readers exceptional chance to follow the history of relentless combat fought between Luftwaffe and USAF in the skies over Europe. The story begins with the first Flying Fortresses air raid against targets in France on August 17, 1942 and continues till the last day of April 1943. Precise air clashes descriptions complemented by pilots’ personal stories are one of the unique features of this book which also includes 109 archival photos and 8 colour profiles of described aircrafts.

• The Secret Garden Sd.Kfz. 234/3 - Hasegawa 1/72• In enemy hands KV-2 - Trumpeter 1/35• BT-7 - Tamiya 1/35• On a Green Island - M3 Lee - Mirage 1/72

Super Model International presents the best modellers from around the world profiling their great models, with hints and tips, step-by-step instructions for building, reports from model kit shows and modelling competitions.With hundreds of colour photos, including archival shots and current museum pieces, supporting colour profile artwork.It is a fantastic series which will prove an invaluable reference tool for all modellers.

Included in this richly illustrated work by Daniel Blanchard are over 50 portfolios of American soldiers, ranging from paratroopers, pilots, infantrymen, tank specialists, plus many more. Blanchard retraces the history of American military units via their uniforms and equipment brought back by the GIs. French Language

This fantastic series Super Model International presents the best modellers from around the world profiling their great models, with hints and tips, step-by-step instructions for building, reports from model kit shows and modelling competitions.With hundreds of colour photos, including archival shots and current museum pieces, supporting colour profile artwork, and in this first volume, two DVDs with accompanying modelling advice on those models presented here. It is a fantastic new series which will prove an invaluable reference tool for all modellers.

This new book covers the Sino-French Naval War 1884-1885, a little-known part of late 19th century naval history. The background, operations and outcomes are described in detail. All the ships involved, both French and Chinese, are described and illustrated with full technical specifications. Profusely illustrated with scale drawings and photos.

The Mirage 2000N program was launched in 1978 to accomplish intercept missions and medium-range air to surface nuclear attacks in order to eventually replace the Mirage IVP which was terminated in 1990. Based off of the Mirage 2000B, it is equipped with a weapons system organised around an Antilope radar system, enabling automatic navigation and field monitoring, all while maintaining its in-flight auto-defense capabilities. While the first models were only capable of carrying nuclear missiles, beginning with the 2000N-K2, the aircraft is now able to undertake conventional ground attack missions, with a large array of traditional bombs. The line of Mirage 2000N aircraft are a key element at the very heart of the French Strategic Air Command.French Language