This informative and well-illustrated book covers early US armor from steam-powered units in the late 1800s, early armored cars used in pursuit of Pancho Villa, and armored cars in action during the Great War. Armored cars were abandoned prior to World War II in favor of more lightly armored scout cars and half-track cars that would see extensive use in World War II.

Prolific author Steven J. Zaloga has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over three decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an accent on the US Army in World War II as well as Russia and the former Soviet Union. Illustrator Felipe Rodríguez Náñez works as an architect and computer graphics artist. He combines his experience in CG art and his passion for modelling in his illustrations, where he looks for a good balance between technical detail and craft.

Contents

• Introduction
• The first armoured cars
• World War I armored cars and the Pancho Villa expedition
• The 1920s
• 1930s Developments
• Further Reading
• Index

Some of the more prominent vehicles covered in the book include the Davidson Cadillac armored car, 1915; Locomobile armored car, 1915; Jeffrey armored motorcar, 1916; Holt Steam-Wheel Monitor, 1918; T1 and T3 Pontiac light armored cars; T2E1 armored car, 1931; M1 armored car, 1937; The T11E2 medium armored car, 1936; and the Tucker Tiger Tank, one of the last armored cars in 1938.

Following the Pontiac T1 scout car, the T7 scout car was accepted for service as the M1 scout car in 1935. The book also covers the M3 and M3A1 scout cars of 1940. To help improve cross-country performance, the M3A1 scout car was converted to a half-track configuration as the T14, which was later put into production as the M2 half-track car in 1940. The M3A1 was built in large numbers during World War II, but withdrawn from US Army service in 1943 due to mobility problems and limited firepower.

The book includes many period photographs to illustrate the history of the armored cars and many color profile renderings by illustrator Felipe bay Rodriguez. This is a very interesting book on early US armor and provides modelers with lots of inspiration. The color profile renderings of the more prominent vehicles are accurate and beautifully done.

Thanks to author Steven Zaloga and Osprey for another great reference that will be enjoyed by modelers and history buffs alike.