Aircraft Pictorial No.9: Aircraft Painting Guide Vol. 1

This soft-cover book, in color and B&W with "paint chip" references, complements Dana Bell's Air Force Colors, Volumes 1-3. This references focuses principally upon U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Army Air Forcepaint schemes from the 1930s to 1945. As such, it is a good shorthand source. A far more definitive book is USAAF Aircraft Markings and Camouflage, 1941-1947 by Robert D. Archer and Victor G. Archer, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. The product for reviewwas delivered promptly and securely. I recommend it and other publications by Dana Bell.

One day the author will write a comprehensive book on US aircraft colors, he's made several attempts, each getting better in succession. This book contains great, superb, valuable information, however my main two criticisms are as follows: information is not structured according to chronology / aircraft / theater of operations, or whatever order would have made sense rather than just the dumping of gorgeous photographs loosely connecting one section to the next. The other one is: this book is too thin!!!! I was left wanting for more, cockpit colors are not covered in much detail, inner structures like wheel wells, landing gear and fuselage are also rare or missing altogether, though for a book with so few pages it is not surprising, just disappointing.Other than that a gem of a reference book, easily worth the asking price and more. Get it before it goes out of print.

Dana’s booklet is an excellent survey on the production and use of USAAF Olive Drab 41 during WWII, many period color photos are used to show the application, color variation and weathering OD 41 demonstrated. Even the Material Division’s reaction to it’s supposed successor, ANA 613 is addressed.My only complaint is that photo cations are all black text super imposed over the photo reproduction (above or below the main subject, not obscuring it) and in a few cases are against a dark background making the caption almost impossible to read

This book goes a long way in clarifying WWII USAAF aircraft colors, particularly "Dark Olive Drab"; not what the specs say but what really was in the 1940s. For model builders and enthusiasts alike it is 'must buy' book.

This is a great single source reference for USAAF color schemes leading up to and during WWII. It is the result of Dana Bell's continuous research into the field.

Lot of information

Nice collection of WW2 Aircraft with new pictures. Not as many in color, but understand color photography was not very prevalent in those times. Overall I think it is good value for the money.