Eagle Editions | Wings of the Allies Volume 2
Reviewed by Kevin Williams
Publisher: Eagle Editions
Author: Mark Proulx
Publishing Date: 2025
ISBN: 978-0-914144-71-5 (Softcover)
Pages: 36
Intro
And here we take a look at Volume Two re: The Allied air war, and again specifically the European theater of operations. Printed on high quality paper, the 36 page booklet includes numerous black and white photographs, most previously unpublished and unavailable. Individual photo credits are not given per se, but there is a summary of thanks at the end acknowledging the various sources.
(On a personal note, I'd like to see this series, or one similar, expanded to include Allied aircraft in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters as well. A series on Axis aircraft in those theaters would also be welcome.)
For Allied aircraft fans, there is much here in the form of variety. Digging deeper into the already establish format, here are quite a few of the "usual suspects"; Mustangs, Lightnings, Thunderbolts, Airacobras, etc., as well as the Russian Pe-2, and a few select British types; Hurricanes, Spitfires, Mosquitos, Wellington, Lancaster and such. Some of the photos are of wrecks but this in no way diminishes the value of their inclusion, it actually enhances it, at least in my opinion. Sundry other subjects are are all here too to varying degrees.
Of particular interest to me are the photos (only port side, unfortunately) of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Outhouse Mouse", supposedly the first allied bomber to encounter and engage the then-new Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet" rocket fighter, and a subject I will be modeling on an upcoming project of my own (the Fortress that is).
Photo Samples
As one can see, the variety is here, and some of the photos are actually quite magnificent.
For the large scale aircraft modeler, much of what is seen in this and the previous volume are available as 1:32 or (occasionally) 1:24 kits, even including several of the twin and 4-engined bombers. While kit quality obviously varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and kit time-frame, a healthy batch of these subjects can at least be modeled, which is a great thing for those of so inclined.
Color Profiles
The above are but 4 of the total of 8 profiles, all of which are done to a very high standard by the illustrator, James Bentley.
The great photos of aircraft, the informative text, and the color profile drawings all make this a very nice addition to any library. For allied aircraft fans, or aviation fans in general, this volume is an excellent source of images of Allied subjects from the WWII time-frame.
I can highly recommend this volume.
Many thanks for my review copy to Judy Crandall from Eagle Editions, seller of fine books, decals and aviation related aftermarket items.
© Kevin Williams 2025
This review was published on Wednesday, November 26 2025; Last modified on Wednesday, November 26 2025