Tankograd Militar Fahrzeug’s third volume for the year is in my hands. 60 pages, quality printing, richly illustrated and with a wide variety of topics available:
• Fiat 500A Topolino
• PzH 2000A1 SPH in Afghanistan
• Roaring Lion 84
• Story of a Panzer Company
• HEMTT A4
• Bergepanzer M 74 ARV
• T-27 Tankette
• Armored M110A2
• Belgian Steel
• LKW 15 t mil gl A4 MULTI FSA Truck
• Marder IFV Close Combat Vehicle
• Museum Stammheim
The review
Fiat 500A Topolino was the Italian idea of a People’s car, and it turned quite successful. The car was produced from 1936 to 1955 with over 500,000 examples built by Fiat in Italy, NSU in Germany, Simca in France and in Poland.
The next article discusses the additions, camouflage and use of the 5 Panzerhaubitze 2000, deployed to Afghanistan. Close-up images of the passive armor package are included. An outline of the “Roaring Lion 84” exercise follows, with a complete roster of the opposing forces, comprising a total of 22,500 soldiers, 5,700 wheeled and 1,500 tracked vehicles.
The “true story” of a Wehrmacht tank company from its creation in late 1940 till the surrender to the Red Army is told on 7 pages. 20 photographs illustrate various types of vehicles used.
On page 27 you are greeted by the A4 version of the M977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. There are 17 images of several versions of the HEMMTT, including armored cab equipped machines, deployed overseas.
About 300 Bergepanzer M74 ARV served in the Bundeswehr until 1967, supposedly to help evacuate M47. More often than not often the recovery vehicle itself needed help, and it certainly wasn’t up to the task of pulling the Pattons.
The first part of the article about the T-27 Soviet tankette spans 4 pages. The final part is planned for volume 1 of 2012. Images of an armored M110 203mm SPG and some Belgian armor are tucked-in next.
Pages 46-51 tell the story of the modern 15-ton truck of the Bundeswehr – the MAN A4 MULTI – and its development though the years.
The News are all about the RPG-resistant Close Combat Vehicle – a Marder-based solution with 30mm gun by Rheinmetal. 4 images of the vehicle itself are included.
An introduction to the Museum für Zeitgeschichte (Museum of Contemporary History) in Stammheim and three-page English summary conclude the volume.
SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent images, detailed captions.Lows: English summary too short.Verdict: An excellent publication for military vehicle enthusiast, well worth the price.
Our Thanks to Tankograd Publishing! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Peter Ganchev (pgp000) FROM: GRAD SOFIYA, BULGARIA
I bought and built my first kit in 1989. Since then it's been on and off until about 4 years ago, when modelling became the main stress-relief technique. Starting with 1/72 aviation I've diversified into armor, trucks, artillery and figures, as well as a number of other scales.
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