Model Art Co, Ltd

Schwere Jagdpanzer Model Painting Manual

Reviewed By  Mike Howard, IPMS# 30741

MSRP: $44.99 USD Website: www.modelart.jp Model Art magazine, from Japan, is well known throughout the modeling world for their excellent publications. Sometimes the subjects are general and varied, and sometimes they are geared towards a specific subject. This particular book is one that is specialized, in this case, towards painting the German heavy tank destroyers (schwere jagdpanzer) of WW II. The timing on this publication is pleasingly coincidental for me as I had just sprayed a base coat of dark yellow onto a Dragon Jagdtiger and was looking for references to complete a tri-color camo scheme. In this issue, Model Art not only covers the Jagdtiger, but also has schemes for the Elefant and the Jagdpanther. Each type of panzer is shown in multiple profiles, some war time photos and also has several model build examples. For me, the only downside to this fine book is that it is almost entirely written in Japanese. There are summaries at the end of each model/diorama build in English, but there's still so much detail that isn't translated. The first item covered is the Ferdinand Elefant, the first of the production German tank destroyers to carry the vaunted 88mm anti-tank gun. There are twelve pages of color profiles, with unit information in English, followed by two model/diorama builds. The build sections are nice in that they show the kit prior to painting, where you can see the additional photo etch and other aftermarket parts that have been added, and then multiple steps of the paint and weathering processes.

The second tank destroyer covered is the Jagdpanther, one of my all time favorites. For this one, there are eight pages of profiles in various camo choices, ranging from a simpler dark yellow with green overspray, to the complex tri-color tiger stripes schemes. Included too are a few with heavily weathered winter white wash and differing zimmerit patterns. There are three different model builds and again, the nice step-by-step paint and weathering coverage. These kits have some nice battle damage added and look great in their completed forms.

Finally the book closes out with the largest tank destroyer used by the Germans during WWII, the Jagdtiger. This massive 72 ton beast carried the 128mm anti-tank gun that could destroy any allied armor at almost any range. This time there are six pages of profiles, both early and late versions being covered and three kit builds. One of the dioramas shows a very interesting contrast with an abandonded Jagdtiger being passed by an American Stuart (the Stuart can completely go right under the Jagdtiger's gun barrel!). I really wish I could read Japanese as the tutorial for one of the very complex paint schemes would be excellent reading.

The final portion of the book has the historic photos of the covered vehicles. There is a good mix of knocked out tanks, combat shots and some also appear to be the staged propaganda photos where the tanks look new. Overall a great reference for anyone that likes the heavy tank destroyers and highly recommended, especially if you have Japanese language skills. A big thanks to Model Art and IPMS USA for opportunity to review this great publication.