Research Books and Magazines

Intended to replace the proliferation of different small arms fielded by US forces during the American Civil War, the "Trapdoor Springfield" was designed in 1865-66 by Erskine S. Allin. Using metallic cartridges, it could be loaded in a single action, increasing the number of shots per minute as much as fivefold. The new weapon quickly proved its worth in two separate incidents in August 1867: small groups of US soldiers and civilians armed with the trapdoor repulsed numerically superior...

101 CLASSIC TOY TRAINS by Kalmbach HobbyStore item number: KAL64100

Featuring plans from Model Railroader magazine from three decades, each of the 101 track plans has a newly written, informational description of the design. The track plans range in size from simple 4 x 8 foot and smaller layouts to room- and garage-sized showpieces, with the majority focusing on mid-size layouts.Author: From Model RailroaderISBN: 9780890247761Size: 8 1/4 x 5 1/2Pages: 88Illustrations: 101

Easy-to-use plans in every size, shape and scale -- from tiny card-table layouts to giant garage-size railroads. Demonstrates how to design a railroad to fit any space, shows how to convert plans to N, HO, S, and O scales.Author: Linn H. WestcottISBN: 9780890245125Size: 8 1/4 x 11 1/4Pages: 72Illustrations: 118

Features: Advanced (Level 3)68 pagesLayouts HO-31 to HO-36Includes 4 fold out 11 x 17 track plans

Features This book will introduce you to the exciting world of model railroading and Atlas HO True-Track. With prototypical looking plastic roadbed that detaches from premium nickel silver HO Code 83 track. True-Track takes care of your ballasting with its molded gray roadbed.True-Track sections snap together easily so building layouts is quick and easy for everyone!This book contains the following:Blueprints for 10 basic layouts (plus 2 variations)Complete list of Atlas products needed for...

2019 Trains Across US Calender by Kalmbach HobbyStore item number: KAL68191

If you want to see what one of the most famous passenger trains in America was like, here it is! The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the 20th Century Limited, one of the most famous passenger trains in America. This New York-Chicago train was the way to travel between the America's two largest and most important cities in the first half of the 20th Century. The train is well known in many cultural aspects including being the route for celebrities, and it was one of the...

This book contains all-new material from a star-studded roster of Model Railroader authors - Tony Koester, Mont Switzer, Cody Grivno, Jeff Wilson, James McNab, Keith Kohlmann. In 25 Freight Car Projects, modelers will find a wide variety of modeling techniques and ideas. With a focus on HO and N scales, this book provides step-by-step photos and instructions to show readers how to model a range of freight cars.

45 Original Track Plans by Bernard Kempinski from Kalbach Hobby Store Item Number:KAL12496 This book features 45 original track plans created by respected author Bernard Kempinski. None of these track plans have been published before, so modelers will get an exclusive look at all-new material. Plans include: • A variety of scales, including HO, N, S, and O. • A variety of portrayed locations, with many from the east coast of the United States. • Room-sized plans to those...

In the early days of World War I, Germany unveiled a new weapon - the mobile 42cm (16.5 inch) M-Ger-t howitzer. At the time, it was the largest artillery piece of its kind in the world and a closely guarded secret. When war broke out, two of the howitzers were rushed directly from the factory to Liege where they quickly destroyed two forts and compelled the fortress to surrender. After repeat performances at Namur, Maubeuge and Antwerp, German soldiers christened the howitzers -Grosse' or...

57th Fighter Group - First in the Blue by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPAEU39Aviation Elite Units 39Author: Carl MolesworthIllustrator: Jim LaurierAbout this bookOrganized in January 1941, just as the United States was building up military forces for its inevitable entry into World War II, the 57th Fighter Group was the first USAAF fighter unit to go into action in North Africa. It went on to establish a number of other "firsts" during its illustrious combat history in this theatre. Flying...

611 In Steam DVD (Explore the history and 2015 restoration of world famous Norfolk & Western Class J 611) from Kalbach Hobby Store Item Number:KAL15113 Trains magazine explores the history and 2015 restoration of world famous Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611. Join us as we witness the re-birth of this classic 1950 streamlined beauty, acclaimed as the best and most powerful steam passenger locomotive ever built. Approximate running time: 1 hour.

About this Osprey Publishing BookA Fistful of Kung Fu brings the hyper-kinetic, bullet-spraying, demon-slaying, kung-fu-fighting action of Hong Kong movies and Asian cinema to the wargames tabletop. In a modern world walking a precarious line between the advances of next-generation technology and the tradition and mysticism of ancient cultures, Kung Fu schools face off in no-holds-barred tournaments, corporations hire agents and spies to steal each other's secrets, overworked SWAT teams...

A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom 2008-14 from Osprey Publishing Item Number:OSPCOM111 Combat Aircraft Series: Each Combat Aircraft book concentrates on one of the greatest aircraft in aviation history, the technology behind it and the men who flew it. Examining the design, development and deployment of the aircraft throughout history, from World War II and Korea through to current actions in the Gulf and Afghanistan, each book features up to 30 aircraft profiles, pages...

About this Osprey Publishing BookThe Douglas A-3 Skywarrior, though something of a cult favourite, remains a largely unremarked classic of Naval Aviation. Built for nuclear weapon delivery, the A-3 made its name in Vietnam as a conventional bomber, tanker and Electronic Warfare platform. It was the largest aircraft ever regularly operated from the decks of aircraft carriers, earning it the fleet-wide nickname -Whale'. It excelled in every mission area assigned to it and operated in the US Navy...

Author: Philip J Birtles200096 Pages

About this Osprey Publishing BookThe 325th FG was activated under General Order number 50 on 30 July 1942 and set up training operations at Theodore F Greene Field in Providence, Rhode Island. By mid-December 1942 the group was considered ready for combat and the alert for overseas duty arrived on 2 January 1943. The pilots and their P-40s departed on the carrier USS Ranger on 8 January and flew their aircraft off the vessel into Cazes airfield, near Casablanca, on 19 January 1943. After the...

Aces of Jagdgeschwader Nr III from Osprey Publishing Item Number:OSPACE128 Author: Greg VanWyngarden Illustrator: Harry Dempsey, Mark Postlethwaite Short code: ACE 128 Publication Date: 20 Jan 2016 Number of Pages: 96 About this Osprey Publishing Book Royal Prussian Jagdgeschwader Nr III was the third of Germany's vaunted fighter wings to be formed during World War 1. Commanded by the Pour le M-rite winner and well-respected ace Hauptmann Bruno Loerzer for its entire existence, it was composed...

About this Osprey Publishing BookInitially formed to assist in the defence of the city of Metz against French bombing raids, Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 17 would go on to become one of the most distinguish German fighter units of World War 1. Its first victory was scored by the pilot whose story is inextricably interwoven with that of his unit - the -Blue Max' recipient Julius Buckler. He was largely responsible for inspiring the unit's unique Esprit de Corps, expressed in its famous and unique...

The ace pilots of the Republic of China Air Force have long been shrouded in mystery and obscurity, as their retreat to Taiwan in 1949 and blanket martial law made records of the RoCAF all but impossible to access. Now, for the first time, the colourful story of these aces can finally be told. Using the latest research based on released archival information and full-colour illustrations, this book charts the history of the top scoring pilots of the RoCAF from the beginning of the gruelling,...

Across A Deadly Field - Regimental Rules for Civil War Battles from Osprey Publishing Item Number:OSPACW1 American Civil War Series Across A Deadly Field – The War in the East : Written by: John Hill Illustrated by: Mark Stacey The American Civil War was a turning point in the history of warfare, as Napoleonic tactics met deadly new technology. Cannons and rifles had become more accurate at longer ranges, rapid-fire pistols gave cavalry a new weapon, and the telegraph and railroad...

The Douglas AD Skyraider is considered the most effective naval aircraft of the Korean War despite the emergence of new jet fighters that captured public imagination. Built to replace the World War 2 workhorses like the Dauntless, Helldiver and Avenger diveand torpedo-bombers, the Skyraider operated numerous combat missions from carrier decks and from US Marine Corps land bases throughout the conflict. Drawing from personal interviews with AD pilots, the authors paint a harrowing picture of...

About half a million African Americans served overseas during World War II, almost all in segregated second-line units. This artificially limited their potential contribution, but their work - especially along the logistic lifelines of the fighting divisions - was vital. This book summarizes the service of these men and women; and it also focuses on the small proportion who, remarkably, overcame prejudicial barriers to reach the battlefields in combat units of the US forces and Coast Guard....

Drendel. All new book covering Allied airpower in the war to topple Saddam Hussein. Full color and b/w photos of fighters, bombers, transports, helicopters, and the people who fly and maintain them. Also includes US CENTCOM - Air Forces and Navies Air Order of Battles. Illustrated with 100 b/w and 117 color photos; 64 pages.

Airbrush Technique Skinner DVD by Kalmbach HobbyStore item number: KAL15347

Airbrushing for Scale Modelers by Aaron Skinner from Kalbach Hobby Store Item Number:KAL12485 In this book, popular author Aaron Skinner provides a comprehensive guide to airbrushing. Inside this indispensable tool, scale modelers will find: • Advice for modeling armor, aircraft, automobiles, figures, ships, and more. • 600+ step-by-step photos. • Practical techniques every scale modeler should know. Author: Aaron Skinner ISBN: 9780890249574 Size: 8.25 x 10.75 Pages: 128...

Alamo Texan War Independence 1835-36 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPMAA173In 1823 Texas was opened to American settlement; over the next 12 years thousands took advantage of the opportunity. During this time the corrupt Santa Anna rose to power. A dishonest and ruthless politician, thief, compulsive gambler, opium addict and liar, he nevetheless gained a measure of popular support and set about destroying federalism. Conflict with the American settlers ('Texians') became inevitable, a...

About this Osprey Publishing BookIn 1916 German aerial domination, once held sway by rotary-engined Fokker and Pfalz E-type wing-warping monoplanes, had been lost to the more nimble French Nieuports and British DH 2s which not only out-flew the German fighters but were present in greater numbers. Born-from-experience calls from German fighter pilots requested that, rather than compete with the maneuverability of these adversaries, new single-engine machines should be equipped with higher...

About this Osprey Publishing BookIn 52 BC Caesar's continued strategy of annihilation had engendered a spirit of desperation, which detonated into a revolt of Gallic tribes under the leadership of the charismatic young Arvernian noble Vercingetorix. Major engagements were fought at Noviodunum, Avaricum, and Gergovia, with the last action being the most serious reverse that Caesar faced in the whole of the Gallic War. However, Vercingetorix soon realized that he was unable to match the Romans...

Fighting in the Aleutians was uniquely brutal. It is a barren, rugged archipelago of icy mountains and thick bogs, with a climate of constant snow, freezing rains and windstorms. These geographic conditions tended to neutralize traditional American strengths such as air power, radar, naval bombardment and logistics. The campaign to recapture the islands required extensive combined-ops planning, and inflicted on the United States its second highest casualty rate in the Pacific theatre....

Alexander The Great 334-323bc by OspreyItem Number: OSPCAM7Campaign 7Author: John WarryAbout this bookAlexander of Macedonia was undoubtedly one of the greatest generals of all time. This book, by John Warry, an expert on the warfare of the Classical world, examines the principle battles of Alexander's campaigns in detail. The battles of the Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela, Hydaspes and the difficult siege of Tyre are all discussed at length. These careful studies shed light on Macedonian tactics:...

Allied fighter pilots began encountering German jets - principally the outstanding Me 262 fighter - from the autumn of 1944. Stunned by the aircraft's speed and rate of climb, it took USAAF and RAF units time to work out how to combat this deadly threat as the Luftwaffe targeted the medium and heavy bombers attacking targets across the Reich. A number of high-scoring aces from the Eighth Air Force (Drew, Glover, Meyer, Norley and Yeager, to name but a few) succeeded in claiming Me 262s, Me 163...

Allied WW-II Sabotage Devices by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPELI184Elite 184Author: Gordon L RottmanIllustrator: Peter DennisAbout this bookFollowing Churchill"s directive to 'set occupied Europe ablaze,' the SOE and later its American sister organization, the OSS, were deployed across the continent. Outnumbered, surrounded and in great peril, these brave agents were armed with a wide variety of devices to help them achieve their objectives, including numerous pieces of sabotage equipment...

About this Osprey Publishing BookWhile the introduction of the Merlin engine did improve the Mustang's performance and produce the bubble-canopied fighters with which we associate the name, credit must be given to the Allison-engined variants that preceded it. From its inception in early 1940, the Mustang's development was extraordinarily rapid - such was the need for a fighter at the time, and the confidence in its design. By early January 1942, the Mustang was in service with the RAF, flying...

About this Osprey Publishing BookThe Japanese High Command realised that the loss of Okinawa would give the Americans a base for the invasion of Japan. Its desperate response was to unleash the full force of the Special Attack Units, known in the west as the Kamikaze (-Divine Wind'). In a series of mass attacks in between April and June 1945, more than 900 Kamikaze aeroplanes were shot down. Conventional fighters and bombers accompanied the Special Attack Units as escorts, and to add their own...

American Civil War Mississippin Fortifications & River Forts, Part 3 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPFOR68The Mississippi River played a decisive role in the American Civil War. The Confederate fortifications that controlled the lower Mississippi valley were put to the test in the lengthy Federal campaign of 1862-63. Vicksburg was a fortress city, known as the 'Gibraltar of the Confederacy', whose capture was seen as the key to victory in the war. This book explores the fortifications of...

American Heavy Frigates 1794- by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG79By 1805 the 44-gun frigate was probably viewed as a failed experiment whilst the 38-gun frigate was viewed as the vessel of the future. Ten years later every navy was building 44-gun frigates and today it is viewed as the symbol of the Napoleonic-era cruiser. This remarkable transformation resulted from the performance of three ships - the Constitution, United States, and President - 44-gun frigates built for the United...

American Light & Med Frigates by OspreyItem Number: OSPNVG147New Vanguard 147Author: Mark LardasIllustrators: Tony Bryan Giuseppe RavaAbout this bookThe 'Original Six' frigates were commissioned by the new-born US Navy at a staggering cost of nearly $700,000. Designed to be light and fast, these warships enabled America to project its power across the globe. Among the ships Mark Lardas examines is USS Constellation: the first ship to be commissioned by the United States Navy. Alongside...

Author: Ren_ ChartrandIllustrators: Gerry Embleton Sam EmbletonAbout this bookTo celebrate the 450th titlein the Men-at-Arms series,this book examines in muchmore depth than previouslythe units and the uniforms of a still-controversialarmy: the many thousandsof American colonists who chose to fight for King George during the Revolution. As wellas the better-known corps fromthe Atlantic seaboard, theauthor covers the units raised for service against the Spanish in the Floridas, the...

American Privateers of the Revoltionary by Osprey Publishing Item Number: OSPNVG279During the American War of Independence (1775-83), Congress issued almost 800 letters of marque, as a way of combating Britain's overwhelming naval and mercantile superiority. At first, it was only fishermen and the skippers of small merchant ships who turned to privateering, with mixed results. Eventually though, American shipyards began to turn out specially-converted ships, while later still, the first...

Formidable and sophisticated, triremes were the deadliest battleships of the ancient world and at the height of their success the Athenians were the dominant exponents of their devastating power. Primarily galleys designed to fight under oar power, their main weapon was a bronze-plated ram situated at the prow. This book offers a complete analysis of the most potent battleship of its time; the weapon by which Athens achieved, maintained and ultimately lost its power and prosperity.

About this Osprey Publishing BookFrom an internationally renowned expert on US history, this highly illustrated title details the curtain-closing campaign of the American Civil War in the East. Ulysses S Grant's Army of the Potomac and Robert E Lee's Army of Northern Virginia faced up to one another one last time, resulting in Lee conducting a desperate series of withdrawals and retreats down the line of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, hoping to join forces with General Joseph E....

About this Osprey Publishing BookThe MiG-21 provided the backbone of frontline Arab air combat strength for many years and remained the Arabs' only real hope of challenging Israeli air supremacy. This book provides a detailed history of the MiG-21 in Egyptian, Syrian and Iraqi service. It includes numerous photographs, most of which have not been seen outside the Arab world and a large proportion of which have never previously been published anywhere. The material is drawn from official...

Most studies of medieval warfare in the late 14th and 15th centuries concentrate on the Hundred Years' War between England and France and the Wars of the Roses. But meanwhile, on the Iberian peninsula, the foundations of Spain's military -Golden Age' were being laid as the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon under the Trastamara dynasty grew in power, ambition and success. Featuring spectacular full-colour artwork, and rare manuscript illustrations, this book depicts the fighting men whose skill...

Immediately following the end of World War I, amid the collapse of the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires, bitter fighting broke out in the Baltic region as Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania struggled for their independence, and Red and White Russian armies began their civil war. There were also German forces still active in what had been the northern end of Germany's Eastern Front. This book offers a concise but detailed introduction to this whole theatre of war,...

Armies Of Ivan The Terrible 1505-1700 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPMAA427It is generally assumed that the military reforms which propelled Russia into the modern world were due solely to the genius of Peter the Great. In fact, his reforms were built upon changes that had taken place during the previous 200 years, since the creation in 1550 of Russia-s first full-time military force - the streltsi - by Ivan IV the Terrible. This account traces Russia-s armies from that beginning, through...

Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state. This is the history of its army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The development of their uniforms, which combined traditional Indian and British...