Steven Zaloga has written a number of articles and reference works about US Tank Destroyers. For his latest modelling guide, he has compiled a number of detailed builds to give readers a sound basis on improving and converting kits of these vehicles.

It's no surprise that most of the subjects are modelled in 1/35 scale, but fans of smaller scales aren't ignored, because one chapter is devoted to a super-detailed 1/72 scale project.

Description

No 13 in the Osprey Modelling Series, softcover 248 x 184mm , with 80 pages. The book starts with a concise history of the US Tank Destroyers - both as a concept and in service. The description of inter-Corps rivalry makes surprising and entertaining reading, while the idea of M18s and M36s serving in Yugoslavia right up to the '1990s opens up masses of diorama potential.

Next, there's a look of the various kits available, from Tamiya's models dating back to the early '1970s, through to the latest Academy and AFV Club releases, along with a summary of after-market sets.

There are four builds featured in the book, as outlined below, aimed at modellers from intermediate to master skill-levels.

Finally, there's a list of recommended reading and a roundup of museums worth visiting, along with a series of colour references.

The Builds

1. Modelling a Winter Tank Destroyer - 1/35 scale - this is an intermediate-level build using the Academy M36 as a basis and adding a number of after market sets. The build is covered in considerable detail, and Steven gives many useful tips on improving kit tools, before explaining how he painted a weathered Winter scheme using the sea-salt technique.

2. Modelling a Small-scale Tank Destroyer - 1/72 scale - this is an advanced-level project, using the Extratech M10. This chapter shows just how much detail can be piled into a small model with some superb scratch-made stowage and tiny crew figures.

3. Modelling the AFV Club M18 76mm GMC - 1/35 scale - another advanced-level build. Steven adds a lot of scratch-built detail to the basic kit and shows in detail how to use epoxy putty for the mantlet cover and bed-rolls etc. This chapter also illustrates some radical surgery on crew figures to change their poses.

4. Converting the AFV Club M18 into the M39 AUV - 1/35 scale - the last of the builds is a master-level conversion. this involves a scratch-built superstructure and interior. The chapter includes scale drawings and a mass of reference photos.

The photography throughout the book is superb, with detailed pictures of each stage of the builds. Importantly, all the project-chapters also include reference photos of full-size vehicles, either reproduced from wartime manuals or taken of preserved vehicles. Their importance in a work of this nature can't be overstated.

Conclusion

This is an excellent book. Including a series of projects for modellers of varying abilities is a great decision and the techniques illustrated will serve as a good grounding for all AFV modelling, ensuring the book will remain of value beyond the immediate builds covered.

Contact details

Osprey Direct
PO Box 140
Wellingborough
Northants, NN8 2FA
United Kingdom

(01933) 443 863

Thank you to Osprey Publishing for kindly supplying the review sample.