Tempest Books | Messerschmitt Me 309
Reviewed by Kevin Williams
Publisher: Tempest Books
Author: Dan Sharp & Calum E. Douglas
Publishing date: 2024
ISBN: 978-1-911658-96-2 (Hardcover)
Pages: 192
My first impressions of this volume on the Messerschmitt Me 309, were very favorable indeed. Hardcover, good quality paper, excellent photos and illustrations, as well as gobs of technical drawing excerpts and descriptions.
I previously had no idea this aircraft was even designed, so this book seemed quite a natural for me to take a look-see. Designed primarily as an eventual replacement for the '109, and featured many novel and clever improvements, though as was all too typical, too late in the war to make any difference against the industrial might of the west.
This book obviously places its entire emphasis on the Me 309, and contains a pretty cool array of technical information on the design and development of the aircraft, as well as political aspects within Germany that only hindered its production and best purpose implementation, a "bridge too far" as it were. Text is generally informative and interesting.
Photo Samples
Lots of data is offered up here; from initial design concepts and philosophy through derivatives and there were quite a few, but those that did, as well as those that did not ever see production. All in all, it was too little, too late to really be of any consequence to the outcome of the war.
For those of us with a taste for larger scale aircraft models, there are currently no kits of this aircraft in 1:32 (or larger) scale.
For those with a passion for the oddball Luft '46 stuff, I can highly recommend this volume. Buy a copy, you will not be disappointed.
Summation
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this book as a solid 10, no question about it. Topping out at a respectable 192 pages of fascinating Me 309 data, it is highly recommended.
My review copy compliments of Casemate Publishers. Thanks a ton to Casemate, it's truly a wonderful reference book on this intriguing aircraft, really top-notch stuff.
© Kevin Williams 2025
This review was published on Thursday, June 19 2025; Last modified on Thursday, June 19 2025