SAAB 29 Flygande Tunnan (Yellow Series)

This is the 37th book in MMP's Yellow Series. It's a square bound card cover of 192 pages but retreats to the European B5 size (6-1/2" x 9"). It seems that MMP was confused about which series to put the book in. On the cover there is No 8117, which is an Orange series number, but MMP's website says No 6137, which is the proper Yellow series number.The subject of the book is the Saab J 29/A 29/S 29. This is a welcome subject as the only reference I have of this aircraft is in the Saab Putnam book of 25-30 years ago. The Saab 29 is a rotund but surprisingly elegant design, pleasing to the eye like a plus sized fashion model who carries the weight well. The "Flygande Tunnan" in the book title translates to "flying barrel" which is a nickname as inevitable as it is appropriate.The book is well organized and generally well written. The reader is taken through the background, design, development, testing of the prototypes, the various models, the service history, and eventual retirement. Along the way we get the insights into its combat service in the Congo, Austrian service, and service as a target tug. This is all supplemented with some recollections of Saab 29 pilots. There is also a full technical description and walk around close up photos of a preserved example. There are also tables which detail the service history of each airframe.Graphically, there are the usual color profiles and line drawings but unlike most Yellow series books they are scattered throughout the text. The line drawings are in 1/72nd scale.The book has the feel of a manuscript that was shoehorned to fit the Yellow series format. On the other hand the author also wrote MMP's book on the Saab 21 series. In any event, the book is highly recommended. I hope the rest of the Saab jets get this treatment.

A couple of minor quibbles,1. I don't expect this binding to have a long life time.2. I would have liked an illustration or photograph of the engine intake installation as I've never heard of a centrifugal installation having enough power to suck someone into the intake.(MiG-15,same problem?)3. Some illustrations aren't very sharp. But, in my opinion this does not impact overall quality of the book.Overall?This is my second purchase of a MMP Books publication. The first, Japanese Aero-Engines 1910-1945 was enough to make me look at this book on the Tunnan. The next will be on the Fairey Barracuda. MMP is hitting the oddball or lesser known subjects and thus far in my opinion is knocking the ball out of the park. (Especially at their price point.)At 6.4 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches and around 190 pages, it's not a large volume. However, it is indeed a book and not a monograph. All I can say is wow!There is good coverage of development and service and for the S/N hounds there is a list including disposition of every SAAB 29 built. The technical coverage is excellent and the book is lavishly illustrated with profiles, photographs and technical illustrations. There are a few typo's, and I say who cares? This is a product of multi-national team and their efforts resulted in an outstanding volume at any price. To say that I am pleased is an understatement. If you have an interest in aircraft of this era, I unequivocally and strongly recommend this book without any reservations.

What's not to like about this publishers books: many and relative photographs, with great colour profiles and interesting content. Must buy for anyone contemplating constructing the subject as a model kit, or just interested in aviation history.

This is a great book dealing with a much understood even relatively unknown Swedish aircraft. Excellent photos and line drawings/colour profiles. Text deals with design, history of development and importantly the UN operations in the Congo and the Austrian Air Force export version. Great addition to collection and well written by Mikael Forslund.

Fabulously well written and pictorial coverage of a little know Swedish Air Force gem.Highly recommend to any keen modelling enthusiast.

A quite excellent book on a very much neglected but innovative and technically important aircraft. The photographs are very interesting and worth buying the book for alone.

Bella iniziativa della casa editrice in quanto sul Tunnan olnon c'è poi molto. Oltre la storia, la tecnica e operatività vi sono decine di ottime foto b/n e colori anche molto dettagliate. La presenza di alcune parti dei manuali tecnici con disegni risulta utilissima al modellista. Presenti piani in scala (72) e sezioni di fusoliera ma il fornato (A5) non è di molto aiuto. Probabilmente l'editore conta di vendere a parte i disegni, che di solito vengono redatti in fogli A3 piegati in due; se il costo non sarà eccessivo può valerne la pena. In definitiva un acquisto valido e consigliabile.