Concord Publications

LAV & Piranha: The Extended Family (Mini Color Series Number 7521)

by  Gordon Arthur & Steve Hearn

Reviewed By  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $14.95 ISBN: 962-361-167-6 Publisher's website: www.concord-publications.com Distributor's website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Walter Ruf founded the Swiss company Motorwaffenfabrik (MOWAG) in 1950 to manufacture specialized vehicles in the defense industry. The company completed its prototype, the Piranha, in 1972 and to date more than 9,300 Piranhas and Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) have been built. This book examines the Piranha/LAV family of vehicles in service with the many nations around the world. This soft back book is printed on quality paper and measures 8-1/2"X11". It contains 53 pages with 163 crisp color photographs. The Introduction provides a brief history of the vehicle and its evolution into several specialized models based on field input and conditions. The Introduction also contains the technical specifications for the Piranha I, II, III, and IV. The main body of the book is broken down into sections specific to the countries using the LAV/Piranha. Each section discusses the models and sub-varieties of Piranha/LAV used by the particular country. For each country, the authors also provide organization and deployment if applicable. Many color photographs of these countries’ Piranha/LAV are included. The first section discusses Canada’s history and use of the vehicle. Discussion begins with the 6X6 Piranha in its three configurations – the Cougar, Grizzly, and Huskie. Following this is an examination of the 8X8 Bison family of Armored Personnel Carriers, the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle, and the latest LAV in the Canadian inventory, the Gen III. The next section presented is the United States Marine Corps. Here we learn how the LAVs were initially deployed within the organization and how this has evolved since. A brief history and usage of the LAV’s field deployment from Operation Just Cause in Panama to Operation Iraqi Freedom is given. Following the United States are sections discussing "Australasia", Europe, and the Rest of the World. Much of the same type of information provided in the previous sections is provided here. However, because of these countries’ physical size and their lack of deployment on the world stage, not much information is provided for the countries listed in the Rest of the World section. The authors provide us with detail information on vehicle configuration, armament, use, and deployment. The selling point for me, however, is the photography. The photographs are of excellent quality and printed on good quality paper. They provide excellent views of numerous camouflage patterns and paint schemes. They also show the variety of "stuff" that is frequently attached, hung or draped onto the vehicle’s exterior. The photographs alone are enough for me to recommend this book to any armor modeler. My thanks to Dragon Models USA and Concord Publications for graciously submitting this book to IPMS for review and to IPMS for allowing me to review it.