Introduction

Nuts & Bolts continues to add to its line of great reference books, and Volume 29 Raupenschlepper Ost is no different. This book covers the development and use of the RSO utility vehicle during World War 2. The vehicle was a work horse for the German Army, and in some cases replaced the horse. The RSO was a fully tracked vehicle that was used mostly for transporting cargo over terrain that trucks could not go and was the base for some interesting prototypes, like mounting a 7.5cm anti-tank and even anti-aircraft.

Content

By Volker Andorfer, Anthony J. Greenland
177 pages
375 photos
50 blueprints
16 camouflage scheme and markings

The book is soft covered and through its 177 pages and 375 photographs describes and shows the development and use of the RSO. The book contains text in both German and English, and is very well written. It is printed on glossy paper in an 11.75” x 8.25” format.

Inside the book there is a great description on the development and production of the RSO including some prototype and CAD images. Nuts & Bolts have done a great job describing the features of the RSO including the component to include the running gear, fuel system, engine, loading platform, and more. There is a table that shows the technical data of the different versions and production runs.

Volume 29 Raudenschlepper Ost then goes into to describing the use of the RSO in active duty throughout the Wehrmacht. This includes tables showing operation deployment as well as a table listing license plate numbers showing where the vehicle served. A small section in the book talks about paint schemes and camouflage patterns used on the RSO.

Also included in the book is a section on modelling the RSO, including a table of various kits and updates available. This section ties the reference of the RSO together for the modeller, and is a great bonus to the book.

The heart of the book is the larger number of photographs, blue prints, and color templates. These provide an excellent reference for the RSO. The majority of the photographs are in black and white and show the RSO in active duty. Not only do they provide a great resource showing the use of the RSO, but for some may provide some good ideas for modelling ideas or diorama ideas.

The included blueprints are in 1/35 scale, providing an excellent resource for measurements and dimensions of the vehicle. And with the addition of the colored plates, showing various paint schemes and markings, make the book a great reference for the modeller.

The book also includes photographs of museum and restored vehicles with close up images of some of the various components of the RSO. Again a great reference for the different details found on the vehicle.

The book finishes with a couple pages of photographs of completed models of the RSO, showing what can be achieved by modellers.

Conclusion

Overall, Nuts & Bolts Volume 29 Raupenschlepper Ost is a great reference book, not just for modellers, but for those who have interest the RSO. The combination of the descriptive text, photographs, and images bring the RSO to live for the reader. I highly recommend this book.