Review by Felix Bustelo

The USS Texas and her sister-ship USS New York were the first 14-inch gun ships in the United States Navy. Launched in 1912 and commissioned in 1914, the Texas was immediately deployed In support of U.S. occupation forces at Vera Cruz, Mexico during the civil unrest that arose in that country. The Texas was part of the U.S. naval force operating out of Scapa Flow during World War I and was part of the Allied fleet that escorted the German High Seas Fleet to the Firth of Forth for its surrender. During the inter-war years, the Texas underwent modernization and was anchored in Casco Bay, Maine of December 7, 1941. The Texas saw action in the Atlantic during most of World War II doing convoy escort duties and shore bombardment for the invasions of North Africa, Normandy and Southern France. She was transferred to the Pacific in late 1944 and provided shore bombardment support at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Texas is currently preserved as a museum in Texas and is the only surviving battleship from World War I and one of the few from World War II still in existence.

This title is the 4th volume of the popular series of book and it is a beauty. The 56-page soft covered book provides an extensive visual reference of the Texas throughout her career and different fits. There are a total of 48 clear and sharp photos showing various views and details. In most cases, the photos are sized to fit the entire page. The quality of the photographs has become the trademark of the Warship Pictorial series. The front and back covers are adorned with stunning reproductions of color paintings by renowned naval artist Tom W. Freeman.

The book begins with a 3-page history of the Texas and is followed by the series of Photographs. The photos are supplemented with full color 1/350 scale plan and profile drawings showing the Texas in here March 1914 and February 1945 fits. The sharp contrast in her appearance for her original fit to her late-war fit is astounding. A series of 1/700 scale detailed plan views of the deck levels and cabins as they appeared in 1945 provides modelers with the locations of the various anti-aircraft armament and other fittings. Full color profiles and color references are provided for four camouflage schemes worn by the Texas at various points during World War II. As this was not enough, five additional technical drawings of the various weapons and the Kingfisher floatplane fitted on the Texas are sprinkled among the photographs. The book closes with a page of general statistics that summarizes the armament, radars, directors and aircraft fitted on the ship and at which times. This is an enormous help to modelers wishing to build an accurate model.

Whether you are a modeler or a naval enthusiast, I highly recommend adding this book to your library. As is the case with all of the volumes in the Warship Pictorial series, this book is an exceptional value at only $13.95 US. My thanks to Warship Books for providing this review copy.