Authors: Marek Jaszczołt, Sławomir Zajączkowski
Series: miniTOPCOLORS #36

Introduction

miniTOPCOLORS seems to be pretty popular series as the titles of this line are one of the most often released by Kagero Publishing. To say in just a few words this series is based on a 20 page booklet with the 16 painting schemes of particular vehicle or airplane type. Profiles are supported by usually big decal sheet containing necessary markings, enabling modeller to finish his scale replica in the painting option selected from this book. Decals are provided in the three most popular scales for AFV modelling: 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35. After a number covering airplanes the latest issue of this series is dedicated exclusively for the builders of German AFV's (but of course it does not mean airplane-builders can not use it).

Vehicles covered

There are 16 vehicles presented on the colour profiles amongst which are 8 Pz.Kpfw. III tanks and 8 StuG III's. Selection of the painting options available in this issue contains following machines.
Pz.Kpfw. III (Funk) Ausf. J „Strolch II” from Versuchskommando (F.L.) Tropen., North Africa, September 1942
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. F/8 “A”, named „Henni” from an unidentified unit, late 1942
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J “100” from 1./Pz.Abt.18, Vielikiye Luki area, winter 1942/1943
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G “02” from Pz.Komp. (Fkl.) 314, Battle of Kursk, Russia, July 1943
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. N “R14“, from staff of Pz.Rgt.25 from 7th Panzer Division, Battle of Kursk, Russia, July 1943
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M “24” from staff Pz.Rgt. Groβdeutschland, Eastern Front, summer 1943
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. F/8 “35” from III./Pz.Rgt. HG of Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1. Hermann Göring, Sicili, July-August 1943
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J/L from 2./Pz.Rgt.33 Prinz Eugen of 9th Panzer Division, August 1943
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G “943” from 9./Pz.Rgt.24, northern Italy, September 1943
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G from Stug.Abt.237 attached to the 18th Panzergrenadier Division, commander of 1 Battery: Hptm. Bodo Spranz, Yelnya, Russia, October 1943
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. N “301” of the Co of Panzer-Sicherungs-Kompanie 3, Slovenia – Croatia, October/November 1943
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G from StuG.Abt.270 attached to Ski.Jag.Brig.1, Germany, inter 1943/1944.
Panzerbeobachtungswagen III Ausf. F/G “2701” from an unidentified unit, Eastern Front 1944
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. N “211” from Pz. Abt.208, northern Italy, August 1944
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. F/8 “001” from Pz.Jg.Abt.61, 11th Panzer Division, France, September 1944
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G “223” “Elsa/Nelly” from Pz.Jg.Abt.346, 346th Infantry Division, Netherlands, May1945

review

The selection of painting schemes for our scale replicas is absolutely enough for me. Sixteen vehicles based on the Panzer III in different variants is more than many of us can have in our collection so I bet you will find something interesting from your point of view. Next to profiles authors also provide other fragments of information on the vehicle, like from/back armour plate or turret sides, showing placement of some inscriptions or emblems which are not visible on the profiles. Kagero Publishing also keeps the high standard of the publications quality. Paper used for this series is gloss for covers and semi-gloss for pages.

Descriptions of the vehicles are bi-lingual: Polish and English. Authors provide not only the number of the unit (if it is possible) but also share their knowledge about crew members names, interesting stories related to presented machines, stories of the unit and most often details about colours, painting schemes and characteristic features of presented machine. Due to the lack of space these descriptions are kept rather in the style of short soldier reports rather than a novel with nostalgic descriptions of the landscape, but this makes them very essential. Those who need some more detailed information or historic background can use a bibliography type books and internet websites published on the first page of the title.

The large sheet of decals was printed by the Italian company – Cartograf. On the decal sheet we will find every marking we need for the vehicles listed above. There are unit emblems, tactical markings, German national markings or individual vehicles names or numbers. Cartograf have a solid reputation on the market so there's no use in me repeating it once again. Also this Italian company maintains the high standards of their products. I am sure you will not be disappointed with the quality of the decals.

Conclusion

With the interesting selection of very attractive painting schemes and plenty of model kits of German armoured vehicles in many scales on the market you will have plenty to keep occupied in the autumn and winter evenings.

ISBN: 978-83-62878-66-6
Price: $17.90; €14.1; £11.28
Pz. Kpfw. III family Live links