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REVIEW
Model Centrum Valentine Part 2
c5flies
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Posted: Monday, February 28, 2011 - 03:18 PM UTC
Alan McNeilly takes a look at British Infantry Tank Mk III - Valentine Part 2 from Model Centrum Publishing, authored by Dick Taylor.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
AlanL
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Posted: Saturday, March 05, 2011 - 04:28 AM UTC
Bump,

With all these MiniArt Valentines in the pipe line I've bumped this one up again.

Al
Dutchy3RTR
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Posted: Saturday, March 05, 2011 - 04:46 AM UTC
Nice timely review Alan. Thanks.
SdAufKla
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Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 12:21 AM UTC
I recently got both parts 1 and 2 of the Valentine books - both are excellent IMO. In fact, I really love this entire series of books, so I enthusiactically endorse Alan's review and highly recommend both books to any fan of Commonwealth armor (armour?!).

BTW: If anyone has a copy of part 1 for the M4A2, please let me know. I'd love to find one. This has got to be the main problem with this publisher - all of their books seem to be limited run printings and and are very quickly OOP and generally unavailable. I would very much like to see them re-print most of their titles and make them available once again. I'm sure books like the Firefly Mk Vc title would be enduring good sellers.

So, if you have any interest in getting the Valentine books, I'd suggest that you don't wait too long!
csmanning
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Posted: Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 08:45 AM UTC
Alan - Excellent review! Since I've been waiting for the release of Part 2 I wanetd to hear what a detailed review showed for content and you've given me enough reason to purchase both Parts. Thanks!

Some general questions - Based on your review it appears as though both parts are laid out to cover the overal all technical development of each Mark of Valentine tank. Is this a fair assumption? Remember I don't have the book yet...

You mentioned that they show numerous photos of Valentines in service with respective owners (Russians, Brits, Commonwealth, etc). Do either of the books cover the Valentine's deployment history in any detail? Also - do they cover their deployment in respect to different countries? Just curious... Being a Canuck, Valentines were in service with the Canadian Forces during WW2 but it's hard to find any information on that subject in the form of a reference book such as these.

Last question - any rumours regarding a Part 3, or do these two books cover off the Valentine tank??

Thanks in advance!

Carmen
AlanL
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Posted: Friday, March 25, 2011 - 03:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Alan - Excellent review! Since I've been waiting for the release of Part 2 I wanetd to hear what a detailed review showed for content and you've given me enough reason to purchase both Parts. Thanks!

Some general questions - Based on your review it appears as though both parts are laid out to cover the overal all technical development of each Mark of Valentine tank. Is this a fair assumption? Remember I don't have the book yet...

You mentioned that they show numerous photos of Valentines in service with respective owners (Russians, Brits, Commonwealth, etc). Do either of the books cover the Valentine's deployment history in any detail? Also - do they cover their deployment in respect to different countries? Just curious... Being a Canuck, Valentines were in service with the Canadian Forces during WW2 but it's hard to find any information on that subject in the form of a reference book such as these.

Last question - any rumours regarding a Part 3, or do these two books cover off the Valentine tank??

Thanks in advance!

Carmen


Hi Carmen,

I suppose the value of any book is determined by how much prior knowledge you already have.

in answer to your Questions;

1. Yes

2. Yes and no Deployment is by theatre of operations as opposed to specific units although these are commented on where the data is known. Vol 1 also covers post war British Use.

On Canadian Use there is a section on Canadian Production. The main countries covered are British, Polish, Russian and New Zealand. With out checking each Brigade/Regiment mentioned I can't say off hand on the Canadians. The Canadian Archer jets some coverage in Vol 2

3. I believe Part 1 and 2 cover everything, unless Dick plans a further volume concentrating on Post War vehicles, but I am not aware of that.

Hope that helps.

Al

PS: If you look on the net for Bellona Series 34 Military Vehicle Prints and Series 38 you'll also get some good data there. I picked them up on a free download but can't remember where now. Originally published by Model and Allied Publications Ltd back in 72/74 .
csmanning
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Posted: Friday, March 25, 2011 - 03:50 AM UTC
Thanks Alan! Much appreciated!
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