Naval Fighter- Vought SB2U Vindicator

The Vought Vindicator isn't a well remembered aircraft from WWII, but it should be. Marine Corps Captain Richard Fleming won the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Midway while at the controls of a Vindicator, and Capt. Mesny (later to become an Admiral) of AB-1 French Aeronavale utilized the squadron of Vindicators at his command to rack up an impressive score card of destruction against invading German ground forces during the Battle of France. These stories and others are related in this edition of Naval Fighters by Steve Ginter and Joe Weathers Jr. At 249 pages, the tome's the size of a small phone book. However, it's filled with quality content. Loads of pictures go along with each chapter, all of superb quality. There's a walk around gallery in color of the only Vindicator left at NAS Pensacola, Florida; as well as period technical reference pictures from manuals and the field to assist in clarifying any technical questions one may have. Units are covered that used the type, including French and British service. There's also a model kit review section that closes out the book and touches on the majority of the Vindicator kits that have been produced over the years. The book is pricey, but it does deliver. The accounts of so many crews that operated the Vindicator are told, and the aircraft was generally well liked by all those that flew it. Overall, a highly recommended book to any enthusiast of the type. If you're tackling any of the Vindicator kits, especially the Academy offering which I had a rough time with due to the instructions, this book will more than clear things up and assist with the build. A great addition to any modeler or historian's book shelf.