Introduction:

The FROG-7 (9K52 Luna), the final version of the FROG ("Free Rocket Over Ground") family, is an unguided, spin-stabilized, short-range, battlefield support artillery rocket.

The 9M21 rockets are mounted on a wheeled 9P113 transporter erector launcher (TEL) based on the ZIL-135 8x8 army truck. The 9M21 has a range up to 70 km and a CEP (circular error probable) between 500 m and 700 m. The road mobile rocket has a 550 kg warhead and is capable of delivering high explosive, nuclear, or chemical warheads.

Review:

Trumpeter released the Soviet 9P113 TEL w/9M21 Rocket of 9K52 Luna-M (FROG-7) in 1/35 scale in 2016. The kit received positive reviews throughout the modeling community but, as always, modelers were eager for a good reference material on the system in order to super-detail their models. Wings & Wheels Publications (WWP) is well known for publishing superb reference photo manuals and their latest title FROG-7 in Detail (Luna-M Tactical Missile on ZiL-135 Carrier) provides exactly what modelers are asking for… a ton of large, high-res images showing the vehicle in detail, inside and out. But let’s start at the beginning…

Here are the basic facts on the book:

Title: FROG-7 in Detail (Luna-M Tactical Missile on ZiL-135 Carrier)
Publisher: Wings & Wheels Publications
Code: G055
Authors: Jan Horák & František Kořán
Format: softcover (22x24 cm)
Pages: 108
Color: full color
Language: English
ISBN: 978-80-87509-56-2
Retail Price: $33 (€27)

As with all WWP titles I reviewed so far, at first glance the book looks really good; it is printed on a high-quality paper with eye-catching layout and format following that of previous WWP titles. The most prominent feature of WWP books are large high-resolution photographs… this particular title is packed with 380 color photos and 10 manual drawings, showing restored FROG-7 in Army Museums throughout Europe. The book is organized in 4 chapters:

• Introduction (002-005)
• 9P113 Launcher (006-071)
• 9M21 Rockets (072-075)
• ZiL-135 Truck (076-107)

The Introduction is kept short and concise, describing the origins and providing technical information on the FROG-7 system. The walkaround starts with 9P113 Launcher, showing crew cab exterior and comparing early, mid-production and late version vehicles. Cab interior is also covered in detail, offering a perfect resource for anyone wanting to display their model open. 9P113 vehicle exterior is displayed next, with detailed photos of petrol generator, various toolboxes and crane for reloading rockets, as well as vehicle support legs, launcher rail and arms, etc. This chapter spans through 66 pages and I'm sure it would make even the most demanding modeler and vehicle enthusiast really happy. Next up is the chapter on 9M21 Rockets, only 4 pages long, but covering all the specific features of the rocket body. Finally, a chapter on ZiL-135 Truck shows engine compartment and gearbox in great detail, as well as frame, chassis and wheels.

Conclusion:

After taking the time to study the book from cover to cover, I have to say FROG-7 in Detail (Luna-M Tactical Missile on ZiL-135 Carrier) from WWP provides a fantastic reference material for anyone interested in this ballistic missile system. It covers the system really well, offering a good combination of detailed images and image captions describing the key elements shown.

Although I have reviewed many titles from WWP so far, their new publications can still impress me very much. Well done WWP!