A well researched and well presented photo-compilation of German half tracks used in the second World War. Frank V. DeSisto knows his stuff, and shows it here with extensive captions and over 170 black & white photographs and 16 colour plates, each extensively captioned.
contents
The book begins with a fairly extensive introduction that outlines the various half tracks used by the Germans during World War 2. It introduces us to the Artillery Prime Movers such as the Sd.Kfz 2 'Kettenkraftrad', the Sd.Kfz. 6 (5 ton), Sd.Kfz. 7 (8 ton), Sd.Kfz 8 (12 ton), Sd.Kfz. 9 (18 ton ‘Famo’), Sd.Kfz 10 (1 ton), Sd.Kfz. 11 (3 ton)& 11, with a small paragraph on each, which is by no means intended as an exhaustive treatment, but more to set the stage for the photographs that follow.
There are also paragraphs on each of the main 250 & 251 variants, and the Maultier.
The photographs then begin, of which there are about 68 pages with between 2 and four pictures a page. Few of these are what could be called 'common' or well-known pictures. I believe most of them are from the Author's private collection. Most of them are quite simply superb. They contain an absolute wealth of ideas for dioramas, or even just for stowage ideas, or weathering guidance. Frank V.DeSisto has produced some of the best captions I have ever seen on a book of this type. Study a photograph for as long as you like, then read the caption beneath it. The chances are he will have answered your question....and told you something besides, which you had not thought to ask. I keep going back to it and seeing more every time I study the photographs....it's that sort of book! If you like German halftracks, you will like this book!
In the middle of the book there are 16 full colour plates showing side profiles of the main variants. My only disappointment here was that front profiles would have been useful too.
There are a number of photographs showing knocked out vehicles, which again, can be really useful for modelling such vehicles.
conclusion
That brings me neatly to the purpose of this publication. It is intended as a photographic ‘general’ reference of German half tracks. For those looking for detailed information on each of the various halftracks or internal shots of various vehicles in order to be able to model them....then this book may not be for you. Accept the book for what it is able to provide. Which is some really fantastic ideas for dioramas...and lot’s of them!
I'd like to thank Concord Publications for the review sample.
SUMMARY
A superb book from Concord Publications, covering all major types of German Half Track used during the Second World War, and a good many of the sub types too!
