Phillip Cavender
Reviews By Author
|
Krupp Protze LorryPublished:
Camera On 22 Krupp Protze Lorry, is number 22 in the “Camera On” series published by MMPBooks/Stratus. The author, Alan Ranger, has written several books in this series with subjects such as “Sd. Kfz.7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 7T Vol.2”, “German Horse Power”, and “The Einheits-Diesel WW2 German Trucks” and numerous others relating to WWII. This A4 format paperback has 80 pages with period photographs from the author’s personal collection not the propaganda ones generally seen. Most are previously unseen and taken by ordinary German soldiers. The book starts with a brief forward and a short history of the Krupp Protze Lorry on two and one-half pages. The author provides in his abridged history of the Krupp Protze Lorry several facts including the number of units produced, and a… more |
|
US Soldier versus German Soldier, Salerno, Anzio, and Omaha Beach, 1943-44Published:
“US Soldier versus German Soldier, Salerno, Anzio, and Omaha Beach, 1943-44”, published May 2020, became number 48 in Osprey’s Combat Series. Osprey’s Combat Series, first published in 2013, describe in detail history’s adversaries pitted against each other using analysis, photographs, maps, and commissioned color plates. Chris McNab, author, and editor has written numerous books for Osprey and more than a hundred books, magazines and newspapers on military history and military technology. Steve Noon has illustrated over 50 books for Osprey. This 80-page, 7.3 x 9.8-inch, book consists of an introduction, 6 chapters, bibliography and index containing 20 color photographs, maps, and illustrations and 45 b/w images. IntroductionThe author’s goal as he… more |
|
Camera On 17 Sd.Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8T Vol. 2Published:
Camera On 17 Sd. Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8T Vol. 2, is number 17 in the “Camera On” series published by MMPBooks/Stratus and is a follow up to volume 1. The author, Alan Ranger, has written several books in this series with subjects such as “German Horse Power”, “The Einheits-Diesel WW2 German Trucks to “No 22 Krupp Proze Lorry”. This A4 format paperback has 80 pages with 140 plus photographs from the author’s personal collection. Most are previously unseen and taken by ordinary German soldiers. The book is comprised of an introduction, a short history of the Sd. Kfz.7 on two pages and the remainder of the book covering a few of the various sub-types.… more |
|
Hitler’s Anti-Tank Weapons 1939-1945Published:
Pen & Sword Books are not new to the plastic modeling industry. The UK based publishing company has been around since 1990 churning out titles covering subjects from military, aviation, maritime and other areas of history. With over 228 books in the “Images of War Series”, Hitler’s Anti-Tank Weapons 1939-1945 is their latest addition published in May 2020. The author Hans Seidler has written other books in the series including, Hitler’s Tank Killers - Sturmgeschutz at War 1939-1945, Luftwaffe Flak Divisions and Hitler’s Boy Soldiers. This 9.5 x 7.5-inch paperback has 128 pages with 250 black and white illustrations. The book is comprised of an Introduction, five chapters with three appendices. Each chapter starts with 1-2 pages of introduction followed by several black and… more |
|
BMW R75 Escaping from the Falaise PocketPublished:
The BookRobert Doepp and AFV Modeller Publications capture for its readers a comprehensive detailed construction of a BMW R75 in 1:9th scale. Inspiration for this 112-page softbound book, “BMW R75 Escaping from the Falaise Pocket” comes from a rare black and white WWII image found in, Pallud, Jean-Paul. Ruckmarsch! The German Retreat from Normandy: Then and Now. Battle of Britain Internat., 2007. The German wartime image depicts a crew of 4 German paratroopers retreating on a BMW R75 with a sidecar attached. Before this undertaking, several model magazines have showcased Robert Doepp’s work including Tamiya Model Magazine, Model Time, Dioramag and Steel Art. As well as being a contributor to… more |
|
Tru-Color Weathering PigmentsPublished:
IntroductionThese Matte acrylic solvent-based sprayable paints are designed to be sprayed right from the bottle without the need for thinning. When researching the chemistry of Tru-Color Paints, I found on their website the following description:
These paints have a small amount of acetone as the solvent, but Tru-Color does not recommend thinning with acetone as additional acetone may interfere with the drying process thus leading… more |
|
M60A2 Patton Early TypePublished:
IntroductionWithout giving a lengthy history of the M60 Patton the following is a short summary of the M60A2. The M60A2 nicknamed the “Starship” grew out of the development of the M60A1 with a CVWS (Combat Vehicle Weapons System) turret firing a 152mm conventional round. Planning began in the late 1950s. These were initially named the M60A1E2 then later standardized to the designation M60A2. Production was ended in 1975 with a total production run of 526 vehicles. In the advertising literature AFV Club states this new kit features:
|
|
M-67 Flamethrower TankPublished:
IntroductionDragon’s product website states that “Building further on the success of its line-up of 1/35 scale kits of the famous M48 Patton medium tank, Dragon has produced the interesting M67 flamethrower used by the US military. Nicknamed the “Zippo”, it was originally based on an M48A1 tank hull, with the usual 90mm gun replaced with an M6 flame gun connected to an M7A1-6 fuel and pressure unit. The 48-ton M67 was disguised somewhat with its flame gun hidden inside a dummy gun tube. The first M67 was completed in 1955 and a total of 109 units were manufactured for US Marine Corps and US Army service. They were fielded until 1974, which meant they saw combat in Vietnam”. Let me preface my review by stating that as modelers we do not always follow… more |
|
AFV Valentine Mk.III w/RotatrailerPublished:
IntroductionI won’t go into the history of the Valentine Tank because each modeler, I’m sure, does his own research before beginning the build. But, what I found interesting was the different opinions as to how the Valentine got its name. One reference implies that the name came from the middle name of Sir John Carden, the designer of the A9 and A10 which were prototypes of the Valentine. Another reference article states that the name came from an acronym of the designer. (Vickers Armstrong Limited Engineers Newcastle-upon-Tyne). Even other references imply that the name came from the date it was introduced to the Army of which was Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1938. Whatever the reason for the name, the Valentine and its variations continued to be used. As to accuracy of… more |
|
Luzon 1945 The Final Liberation of the PhilippinesPublished:
Note: This book is also available in two other formats, eBook (Pub) and eBook (PDF) both priced at $12.99 Mention the phrase Luzon 1945 and what immediately comes to mind is Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s pledge to return to the Philippines after his defeat in 1942. Osprey Publishing in their Military History Series and Clayton K.S. Chun, along with illustrations by Giuseppe Rava, have published an excellent book on Luzon 1945, The final liberation of the Philippines. Clayton K. S. Chun, Ph.D., is on the faculty at the U.S. Army War College and served in the U.S. Air Force, has published several books in the fields of economics, national security and military history. What you get is a softcover book covering 96 pages with high resolution black and white glossy, detailed… more |