Sam Publications Combat Edge

Adie Roberts of In War and Peace reviews

Sam Publications Combat Edge

Warfighters in Detail

1

US Marine Corps AV-8B

Harrier.

After a short conversation with Steve Elliot and Andy Evans of Sam Publications, Andy asked me to have a look at one of their monthly magazines called Model Aircraft Monthly. A few days later they sent me some samples to have a look at for review. Including in this little care package was two months worth of Model Aircraft Monthly their brand new range of books called Combat Edge and the MDF of the Sky Raiders.

So what do you get with this new Combat Edge magazine ? Well 82 pages of high quality photos, colour profiles and a few words. A few words I here you say ! that is because an old saying a picture can speak a thousand words and most of these images literally do that. 

Contents

1.Harrier Origins.

2. The AV-8B

3. The AV-8B (NA)- Night Attack

4. Harrier Walkaround

5. The AV-8B Harrier II Plus

6. Colour Profiles

7. The TAV - 8B

8. Harrier in Scale

Review

So first impressions when opening the pages was 'Oh Wow, I think we got rid of our Harrier fleet way to early especially from the Fleet Air Arm.

 Fantastic close up of an Av-8B 

Origins is as it says and gives you an idea of  how the American version of the AV-8B came about. Keeping it small with large amounts of photos really does work with the first two pages carrying a five high quality photos. In the second chapter some of the history of the advanced Harrier Program where the use of a full scale wind tunnel test. The trials were impressive, going through the full extent of the flight envelope and weapons capacity.

                                                             

 another great picture got to love the shark teeth above

As you read through the chapters one thing remains in an abundance and that is the high quality photos which can only impress you with the whole feel of the book. A great little section on the Desert Storm Harriers was really good touch for Desert Storm modellers, with a great shot of a AV-8B flying past the burning oil fields.

The Av-8B (NA) Night Attack section is a great read telling you about the trials and the space left by the retirement of the A-6 Intruder this became a major reason for the Av-8B. The pictures that go with this whole book really help modelling wise or if you just have an interest in Av-8B / Harrier.

 Harrier Walkarounds is where for a modeller you really get the pictures you need for any adjustments that you may want to make to your modelling or perhaps some scratch building. The number of pictures here is incredible and the quality of these is second to none, there is pictures of Harriers in maintenance and also some in weaponry walkarounds is for me amazing I have not seen weapon walkarounds in many of my walkaround books I have at home.

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They even have a Harrier II Plus " The Black Sheep Shooter"  Av-8B model build at the back of the book.

 The book is an incredible piece of work that is so well thought out and presented giving so many fantastic photos of the subject matter and a superb layout you just cannot fail to be impressed with this new concept from Sam Publications.   

 

Conclusion

This new book from Sam Publications is a completely different concept to the MDF Series a new book style in its own right.

With over 300 high quality photos, colour profiles and text it is aimed at both the modeller and aviation enthusiast alike. It is a clean approach and looks to me to be a winner with a number of titles already lined up I for one cannot wait for Combat edge 2.

Would I recommend this to fellow modellers and friends alike ? I would have to say YES. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam Publications for the review copies.