introduction

Printed on A4 sized paper Nuts and Bolts Volume 23, written by Heiner F. Duske, includes 120 pages and contains 115 colour photographs, 18 colour plates and 102 B&W photographs. Also included are scale plans, an organizational scheme, Technical Data and a Markings Table. Everything in the book is written in both German and English.

between the covers

The book starts with an introduction, reminding the reader of N&B's previous volume on the Panzerjäger I, Vol #7, which contained considerably fewer, and less detailed shots of the vehicle in its natural setting, but an abundance of shots of museum vehicles. Here, credits are given to;
• John Rue (technical and 3D drawings)
• Laurent Lecocq (camouflage schemes based on original photographs)
• Tony Greenland (model examples)

Panzerjäger as a Branch of Service-Crew-Weapons Systems

This section covers how the term Panzerjäger is used and outlines how the need for Panzerjäger divisions came about. Also this section covers the evolution of the term "Pak", and outlines the poorly armed state the German army was in at the beginning of the Second World War.

Development of the 4.7 cm Pak 9t) (sfl) on Pz.kpfw.I (sd.kfz.101) without Turret

This particularly large section covers the bare bones and origins of the weapons available at the time, and a breakdown of technical data with an in depth comparison. Described as well in this chapter are the rounds that they could take. The downsides of the towed Pak are outlined, and the current build up of Panzer I B's (which were being phased out from frontline service) caused an unusual marriage of chassis and gun. This section provides a large chart showing technical data.

Vehicle Deployment and Unit Organization

This segment basically covers unit organization, and how many vehicles were supplied to each unit. Orders for strengthening the units are also covered, as well as theatres where the Panzerjäger was deployed. The vehicular deployment is also shown in a chart that displays the unit organization.

Colour, Markings and Special Mountings on Vehicles

This section provides in depth information on camouflage schemes, and unit modifications found on the Panzerjäger I. Not only does it cover units once, but twice, depending on the changes of the modifications made in different theatres and timeframes. Markings and vehicle names are outlined in this section also.

Models

Here we have a small section providing information on the available kits and conversions accompanied with a helpful chart.

Acknowledgements

Does what it says on the tin! A comprehensive thank you to the people involved in the research, writing and publishing of this volume, followed by a Bibliography.


The next section is what I was really looking forward to, hard solid information is indeed very useful and tells you what you need to know, but you can’t beat pictorial reference. Here we have around 38 pages of reference pictures of the Panzerjäger I, with approximately 3-4 pictures per page, and all have been carefully selected, there is not a poor shot among them. The pictures range through all campaigns that the Panzerjäger I saw action in, from North Africa to France 1940 to the plains of Soviet Russia. Quite a few pictures will definitely serve as inspiration for all you diorama builders as well. Shown well is the range of camouflage the Panzerjäger I used, and in a lot of the pictures based in North Africa the camouflage is pretty weatherworn. I won’t add anymore to this section, you'll have to buy the book!.

Following the pictures are a set of 1:35 scale line drawings and 3/4 angle drawings of the Panzerjäger I first and second series by John Rue. A wiring diagram for the Funksprechgerat A radio, and what looks to be freehand drawing of the Skoda 47 mm Kanon Kpvv.vz 38 model A5/4.7 com Pak(t) showing gun and mantlet details. Also included is a 1:24 line drawing of the Skoda 4.7com Pak(t) on a wheel mount.

Next up are a fantastic set of colour plates, again from varied theatres, specifically the vehicles and units are;
• 521.Pz.Jg.Abt. France 1940
• 521.Pz.Jg.Abt. Russia 1943
• 521.Pz.Jg.Abt. Russia 1943 winter camo
• 4./Pz.Jg.Ausb.u.ers.abt.13
• 643.Pz.Jg.Abt. Russia 1941
• 643.Pz.Jg.Abt. France 1940
• Unknown unit of a Pz.Jg.Ausb.u.ers.abt Germany 1941(this vehicle features the dual tone grey brown scheme)
• 670.Pz.Jg.Abt. Holland 1940
• Unknown PZ.Jg.Ausbildungs- Und Ersatzeinheit
• 2.Kompanie/Abt.Schonberger, Brigade LSSAH
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt., Tactical no.32, Afrika Korps
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt., Tactical no.? Afrika Korps
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt.,Tactical no.39, Afrika Korps
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt.,Tactical no.?, Afrika Korps
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt.,Tactical no.18, Afrika Korps
• 605.Pz.Jg.Abt.,Tactical no.?, Afrika Korps

There then follows an Ammunition Chart, showing in colour;
• Pz.Gr.Patr 34
• Pz.Gr.Patr 40 with tracer
• Pz.Gr.Patr 40
• Spr.Gr.Patr

Finishing this section is a Markings Chart, showing specific markings, in a clear concise manner with descriptors.

Museum pieces for vehicles that are fairly obscure and/or old can be tricky to find, so the reference vehicle remains the same since the last book by N&B on the Panzerjäger I. In this section, we have colour photographs of a museum piece, which include the standard overall shots, and of course the detail shots. All of the pictures are of a great quality, and cover basically every inch of the vehicle, showing the correct bolt details, rear deck, gun and interior.

The interior shots are good, although the dials are missing from the control panel. Although the pictures of the Panzerjäger are brilliant, the part I can say would most benefit the modeller are the colour shots of the Pak 4.7 I’m fairly sure it’s a pretty accurate representation of the colour scheme, the photos are great for working out what sections should be metallic, and what sections should be wooden. As a bonus, pictures are included of the Pak as a stand-alone towed unit. To be honest, the unit is in a very worn condition, BUT the images here are also brilliant, showing the gun in a basically unchanged state from when it was in combat.

Finally, the book concludes by displaying models of the DML offering, and the Italeri kit form the 90's with Azimuts Panzerjäger I conversion. The kits are built well, but in my opinion, the weathering on the DML kits is a bit over artistic. The Panzerjäger I did get pretty beat up at times but from looking through this book, I can say that none of the examples here were in such a state of visual disrepair so please note if using the built DML kit for reference it would be, as far as my knowledge goes, inaccurate for it to have such a weatherworn paintjob.

conclusion

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge for those interested in early war armour, Panzer I variants or tank destroyers. The format is clear and easy to read, the pictures are perfect, the graphs are informative. Overall, a well rounded, well presented book on the Panzerjäger I.

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