These two titles follow the established format, with text written in both Polish and English. The translation is occasionally a little vague, but it's well worth perservering, because the detailed history combined with personal reminiscences makes fascinating reading.

As usual, the selection of photos is good; many are familiar, but there are plenty taken from personal collections which are new (to me at least). These are backed up with excellent colour artwork and useful notes on the schemes depicted.

Most publishers would be prepared to leave it at that, but Kagero go one better; the books include a "bonus" aimed at modellers. This can be a set of colour chips, a small etched detail set or, as here, a set of Techmod decals for the schemes featured on the colour plates. The decals are printed in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales and the quality is superb.

A good range of subjects is featured on each sheet. The JG26 decals cover 3 x Bf 109 Es and 3 x Bf 109Fs, plus 2 x Fw 190As, while the sheet for JG 301 has markings for 2 x Fw 190Ds, 3 x Ta 152Hs and 2 x Fw 190 As.

Much has been written in the past about the difficulty in applying Techmod decals, because they are both thin and and have a tendency to stick quickly. The agreed technique seems to be to float them into place on a little saliva before blotting them down.

All in all, these are great books. The combination of informative text with excellent artwork and decals makes them really good value for money.