Me 262, Volumes 1-4

By J. Richard Smith & Eddie Creek

Classic Publications

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Classic Publications four-volume "Me 262" series by J. Richard Smith & Eddie J. Creek is a magnificent opus covering this famous jet aircraft from conception to post-war evaluation and everything in between.

All four books are impeccably presented in hard cover under this publisher's signature grey dust jacket. The large-format pages are heavyweight and have a pleasing satin finish. Each book contains between 220 and 230 pages packed with more than 300 photos plus beautiful colour artwork by Tom Tullis, technical diagrams and other drawings. The books also feature foldout pages (for large plans and diagrams) and wartime colour photographs.

Despite the sheer bulk of the books, the text is very readable. The narrative is also regularly interspersed with personal accounts, pictures and other diversions. This level of variety is welcome, but does not detract from the story. Indeed, the photographs and artwork have been carefully selected to enhance the text.

The specific areas covered by each book are as follows:

Me 262 Volume One

228 pages with 25 colour artwork illustrations; 50 scale drawings and line illustrations

• Concept

• Design

• Development

• Turbojet engine design

• Erprobungskommando 262 - operational testing

Me 262 Volume Two

228 pages with 30 colour illustrations; 50 scale drawings and line illustrations

• Erprobungskommando 262 - Operational debut

• Kommando Nowotny and Kommando Schenk

• Weapons systems

• Special variants

Me 262 Volume Three

224 pages with 30 + colour profiles; detailed technical drawings; maps and Appendices

• Nightfighter operations

• Nightfighter projects and variants

• War Diary Part One

Me 262 Volume Four

224 pages with 38 colour artwork illustrations; detailed technical drawings; maps and Appendices

• War Diary Part Two

• High speed and swept wing

• Allied Testing
   

If this series has one disadvantage, it is the absence of a common index for all four volumes. I did find that a few aircraft and events were spread across several volumes, and a common index might have simplified the task of cross-referencing.

The 882 large, glossy pages across the four volumes of Classic Publications' "Me 262" are very successful at tackling the whole story of the Messerschmitt Me 262.

I have been through each volume in detail while researching my own book on Me 262 camouflage and markings last year, and they were without doubt the most useful reference source on the Me 262 available.

Each volume stands on its own in terms of chronology and specific subjects, but the four books together represent an unbeatable reference for the history, technology and colours of the Messerschmitt Me 262. The only problem with the series is that it will cost around USD$200 to own all four. Even so, I shudder to imagine what price the full series will fetch at auction when they are out of print!

Whether you consider these books are a financial investment, or an investment in knowledge and insight, Classic Publications' "Me 262" is a spectacular series that should be on the bookshelf of every serious Luftwaffe aficionado.

Highly Recommended.

J. Richard Smith & Eddie J. Creek's "Me 262" series, and other Classic books, may be purchased through specialist bookstores worldwide or from Classic Publications Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 06 March, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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