Introduction

This introduction is as supplied by Tankograd:
In previous volumes of this series the various legendary Unimog truck variants in Bundeswehr service were covered in great detail, including the U1300L, U4000, U5000 and Unimog S. This publication now closes the gaps on specialised Unimog variants, including aircraft tugs, small emplacement excavators, road-rail vehicles, snow-clearing vehicles, the maintenance vehicle for helicopters and the directing staff vehicle for live-fire training, with many hitherto unpublished photographs.

Review

The UNIMOG has been tackled in several issues from Tankograd and each time different aspects have been examined; on this occasion it is the Specialised UNIMOG that comes under their gaze. The author of this particular title is Ralf Maile. This is a soft backed book having a robust card cover and containing 64 pages. This offering from Tankograd is one of their duel language offerings having German text on the left and English on the right side of each page and that aspect also includes the captions that accompany each photograph.

The contents of this title are broken down in the following sections:
Introduction
Aircraft Tugs
Small Emplacement Excavator
Road-Rail Vehicles
Snow Clearing Vehicles
Maintenance Vehicle for Helicopters
Directing Staff Vehicle

The section listed as ‘aircraft tugs’ covers a wide area and I have to say that I never realised that the UNIMOG performed such a varied role around the aircraft of the German Military. The title covers the UNIMOG in both its original format and the later offering put into service. The UNIMOG also has attachments for snow clearing and cleaning duties making a truly universal aid on the runway. At the end of this title the book even provides a look at a helicopter maintenance vehicle.

The UNIMOG really is an all purpose vehicle with vehicles fitted with bore hole excavator ability that makes for an interesting look. The version with the digger arm fitted in the bed of UNIMOG also provides an interesting look for the scratch builders out there. The snow blowing versions are a great look that just keeps showing that the UNIMOG will keep going come rain, come snow, by road and by rail. I am wondering if they can put a set of wings on it.

Conclusion

Another title looking at the abilities of the UNIMOG from being used for shunting duties on rail lines to keeping the runway clear with snow blowers and plows. This offering from Tankograd Publishing covers a surprising number of roles that with attachments the UNIMOG is more than up to. For those interested in the UNIMOG generally and the oddities thta book should have a lot of appeal for you.