Concord Publications have just announced a long-awaited book which will be very welcome for U.S ./ Allied Armor modellers...

The term 'Funnie' was an adjective applied to special use vehicles in WW2. Many problems had to be resolved, for example - mine-clearing, recovery of damaged vehicles and rapid replacement of damaged bridges. Rather than begin constructing new vehicle chassis' to mount all this specialized equipment, existing vehicle hulls were adapted and converted to use this engieering equipment. The British equipment of the 79th Armored Division - 'Hobart's Funnies' is fairly-well documented, however, the U.S. vehicles not as well... This new book may well help 'close' some of the gaps in this fascinating area:

(7052) U.S. Armored Funnies: U.S. Specialized Armored Vehicles in the ETO in World War II is written by Steve Zaloga. The book is cataloged as ISBN 962-361-085-8

The book follow the established format established by Concord Publications with 72 pages, 192 photos and 16 color plates. Amongst the subjects covered are:

M31 and M32 tank recovery vehicles;

M33 and M35 prime movers;

Shermans fitted with dozer blades; DD amphibious tanks

Shermans fitted with wading stacks.

A very welcome itle indeed, it can be hoped that this will run to (at least) another volume with consideration being gven to a companion book covering their British counterparts...