Book Description: 80 pages with 99 black and white pictures as well as 10 drawings of parts of the ship including hull line drawings. There is a fold out set of plans for the modeller of the ship which are admirably clear. The book also includes the carrier squadron aircraft history along with all tail markings as well as five different WW2 paint profiles for the carrier and the class.

Opinion: As a modeller, I have read and seen many different books on aircraft carriers and feel that this book is brilliant. With the release of the upcoming 1/350 kit of the Essex, this book is a must have. The book will come in handy when it comes time to detail the model as the photos and drawings in this book are not to be missed. The photos used by Mr Arnold, are as far as I am aware, previously unpublished in any book relating to this magnificent carrier.

The drawings and plans will definitely help with those areas on the model that require more detail. In a nut shell this book is very comprehensive and is a must for lovers of WW2 US carriers. Published with the modeller firmly in mind, I give the author two thumbs up and I look forward to seeing more of Mr Arnold's work. I got my copy of this great book from SANDLE Hobbies.

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