INTRODUCTION

This soft bound 96 page book is a compilation of six booklets (comic books?) covering the World Tank Museum's (Company name - not an actual museum) collection of World War II 1:144 models. (Think Matchbox cars)

BOOK CONTENTS

This company produced 'comic book' style booklets filled with trivia and information, packaged it with candy and 1:144 scale models for sale presumably to Japanese youth. This Collector book covers six of these 'booklets'

World Tank Museum Series 01, covering the Tiger I (late), M4A1/76 Sherman, 88mm flak (all fronts), Panzer IV, T-34/85, Elephant, secret weapon-Michael Wittmann

World Tank Museum Series 02, covering the KV-1A, Jagdpanther, Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G (late), JS-2m, Hetzer, Tiger II, secret weapon-red tiger

World Tank Museum Series 03, covering the Firefly, Panzer Kampfwagen II Ausf. F, Feisler Storch, Kubelwagen, T-34/76 (1941), Panther Ausf.G, Secret weapon- Storch special mission

World Tank Museum Series 05, Tiger I (early), Porsche Tiger, Tiger II, Jagdtiger, Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D, M3 half track, JSU-152, secret weapon-Michael Wittmann (special tank markings)

World Tank Museum Series 07, Panzer Kampfwagen III Ausf.J (late), SPG ‘Nashorn’, Panther Ausf.D, T-34/76 (1942), SU-122, Tiger I (early), set of anti tank guns-7.5cm Pak, 76.2 ZIS-3, 6 pound gun, secret weapon- Otto Carius Tiger I (mid-production)

World Tank Museum Series IRC, Tiger II (Kampfgruppe Peiper), Tiger II (SS 101st Heavy Tank Battalion), Tiger II (503rd Heavy Tank Battalion), Jagdtiger (512th Heavy Tank Hunter Battalion), Panther Ausf.G (2nd Tank Division), Panther Ausf.G (106th Tank Brigade), Panther Ausf. F

World Tank Museum Series 04 had to do with Japanese Defense Force vehicles Series 06 covered the M1A1 series and thus were not included in this book which covers WWII vehicles exclusively.

The book is heavily illustrated with many interesting bits of information peppered throughout. Each subject tank has a 1:144 scale photographic counterpart in appropriate (if not generic) paint scheme.

Conclusion

This is a “fun” book with neat illustrations and interesting observations and trivia from the artist. I’m sure if you were a youthful collector of the original booklets this “Collector’s Edition” would be more meaningful. As is, this is not a serious reference book but more an interesting collection of comic book style illustrations peppered with facts, observations and trivia about the subject matter. If you collect WTM models, this book will be more meaningful. To the average model builder, there’s not a whole lot of reference or new information. If you are into comic books and that style of illustration this book may be of interest.