NAS Seattle
by Chris Banyai-Riepl

Warchive Photo Series, Vol. 1

Reviewed by John Miller

Many years ago I was approached by Chris Banyai-Riepl about doing a build article on one of my 1/72 aircraft models. I had never written a build article. Most importantly, I had never been faced with the challenge of taking photographs of sufficient quality for online publishing.

Chris assumed the role of instructor-mentor and patiently walked me through the particulars of how to configure the camera (shutter speed, F-stop etc) as well as how to build a simple light-box.

After multiple failures, I started to get a hand on the basics and began producing photographs that were at least usable. Without Chris’ help, I would have foundered badly. Moreover, this experience came in very handy a few years later when I started Model Paint Solutions and producing publishable photographs became a necessity. For this reason it’s a real pleasure to review Chris’s first book based on a selection of awesome photographs taken by his father Will A. Riepl.

Beautiful work, Chris!

Background

Naval Station Puget Sound is a former United States Naval station located on Sand Point in Seattle, Washington. In 1922 the U.S. Navy began construction on the site, which it was leasing from the county, and in 1926 the Navy was deeded the 413-acre (1.67 km-squared) field outright. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce—a commercial entity—had done the same thing for the Army 28 years before with Fort Lawton, much of which is now Discovery Park.

During its years of operation, Naval Station Puget Sound was used as a facility to train naval aviators. Several trainer aircraft were forced to ditch in Lake Washington over the years due to pilot error or aircraft malfunction. The wrecks of these aircraft still remain submerged near present-day Magnuson Park, where they are often visited by local divers.
Text edited from Wikipedia.

Chris Banyai-Riepl has previously published books on the North American F-86D/L Sabre Dog and the U.S Navy Centennial (1911-2011) so he’s no stranger to producing quality texts on aviation subjects. This NAS Seattle book is the first volume of his new Warchive Photo Series. The photographs presented are beautifully done and feature a lot of in-service shots that serve as great references for weathering and super-detailing.

The book starts with pictures of NAS Seattle in it’s early stages and compares what the area look like now.

Of particular note to Skyraider fans, is the second chapter which features numerous photographs of AD-5’s in their element. If you’re looking for pictures working Skyraider’s, this is the book for you. Numerous photographs are provided that clearly show the exhaust patterns that appeared on the sides of AD-5’s; very cool.

Other aircraft covered include the C-119 Boxcar, T-28 Trojan, S-2 Tracker and PV-2 Harpoon. In addition to weathering and detail pictures, there are more than a few pics that will serve as inspiration for diorama builders.

This is a nice book. In addition to providing good documentation of the aircraft types that served out of NAS Seattle, there are numerous pictures that capture the appearance of working aircraft. As such, this book will serve as a great reference for replicating weathering and exhaust staining.

Highly Recommended.

Keep ‘em coming, Chris!! 

For more on this review visit ModelPaintSolutions.com.

Text by and Images by John Miller / Model Paint Solutionr
Page Created 17 June, 2025
Last updated 18 June, 2025

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