introduction

The subject of Nuts & Bolts Volume 5 is the Saurer RK-7 (Sd.Kfz. 254), an oddball vehicle incorporating a wheel-cum-track system. This volume was originally published in 1996 and contained 42 pages. This revised version adds 60 pages for a total of 102, features 242 pictures, a table of known license plates and allocation of the Sd.Kfz. 254, new scale drawings, an updated color walkaround of the sole survivor, and a master model by Tony Greenland. Both the original and updated version of volume 5 are authored by John L. Rue and Heiner F. Duske. The complete text is covered in both English and German.

overview

In the typical fashion of N&B updated versions, this volume adds the addendum smack dab in the middle of the book. This may seem odd at first, although it makes sense from a publishing point of view. As a reader it also keeps the old and new information separate, so in the long run, to me anyway, it flows more smoothly.

The book begins with a short history of the development of the RK-7, technical data and color/markings. Period photos follow, typically 2 to 3 per page, and have informative captions for each. The original volume consisted of 5 pages of period photos and adds 27 more in the addendum. Technical drawings by John L. Rue are in 1:35 scale, along with un-scaled 3/4 view illustrations. This section went from a single page in the original release to a total of 12 pages in the new volume and includes a few versions of the RK-7. The walkaround photos are B&W in the original volume, and color for the addendum...all are excellent. Unfortunately, due to monetary reasons, the restoration of this vehicle has not progressed much over the past 16 years. Newer volumes of N&B feature a modeling section, so in this addendum Tony Greenland shows what it's like to model a master that he created for Armour Accessories nearly sixteen years ago.

conclusion

In my humble opinion, Nuts & Bolts publish one of the (if not THE) finest modeling reference books available. I have not been disappointed in any of the volumes I have, and this one is no exception. The photos and captions are excellent, both period and present day, the scale drawings are superb, and the history/tables are informative in a modeling perspective.

One thing missing in this volume are the color plates, which I always enjoy. I also would have liked to see the HobbyBoss kit (#82491) built for this issue.

Nuts & Bolts may be purchased from Nuts & Bolts direct at [email protected] or from various vendors such as RZM Imports and DragonUSA.