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Distributed by International Business Group |
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Niemieckie Samochody Pancerne 1905-1945 by Mariusz Skotnicki |
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Reviewed By Chad Richmond, #10346 |
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MSRP $22.00 USD Available through Red Star Models (http://www.redstarmodels.com/, 1-888-448-4958) Boy, do I wish I new how to read Polish or had someone close at hand who knew how. This book has a wealth of information in it that the 6 1/2 pages of English text and English photo captions just don’t capture. The title translates to “German Armored Cars, 1905 to 1945”, and that’s just what it covers in great depth in 120 pages containing 171 B&W photos, 9 color photos, 4 color plates with 4-views of two Sd.Kfz 232 (Fu), a 233, and a 234/4. There are 20 pages of scale drawings, most of which are 4-views, some are 5-views. Not all are labeled as being 1/35th scale, but they all appear to be in that scale. There’s a lot of good stuff for some scratch building and conversions. There’s some very fine print that says this book was first published in 2001, but I have never seen it before. I do not remember seeing any of the photos included in this volume, and what makes nearly every one of them unique is that they are taken from an angle that gives good views of markings that you very seldom get to see in such a publication. Normally you get a broad side view, which gives you very little in the way of markings. Rather that being in chronological order of development, the book is organized by numerical type or series designation, so it does a little jumping around. I have always been a fan of the Sd.Kfz 221, 222 and 223, and there are 24 pages devoted to those vehicles. There’s lots of new possibilities contained in those pages. Even though the title of the book indicates the period covered is 1905 to 1945, the English translation says 1921 to 1945, yet starts talking in the next paragraph about the Sd.Kfz 3 produced by Daimler beginning in 1921. So, I’m not really sure about the translation. The English narrative does give a very good analysis of the use of armored cars by Germany in World War II and the shortcomings and advantages each of the armored cars provided. What was really surprising was the relatively small number of each of the types produced. This book is a great addition to the Niemieckie Samochody Pancerne 1921-1945, volume 1 and 2, published in 1993. If you have all three books, you have a wealth of info on German armored cars. If you like World War II German armored cars, this book will be a nice addition to your library. Thanks to Horacio of Red Star Models for the book and to John Noack for allowing me to review it. |
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