RE: Warbird Reference Books
Being one of those plastic's guy that has seen the light and moved into RC I typically have used these three sources
Squadron In Action series - have some colour profiles of significantly marked or historically significant planes or squadrons this one is usaully the most cost effective.
For more Detail and colour work and photo's \there is the Walk Around Series, it has more details and more pictures than the squadron in actions and is a few buck
s more. If you want to count rivets Then you are looing for the Detail and Scale Series by Burt Kinzey.
Based on what you are looing for I think that the In Action Series is what you are looking for. Or Chad has a point and look for plastic scale model decal sheets. Ihave heard good things about the il 2 game but can't speak to it.
Good luck,
Cheers