Information from the Publisher

The Tiger I tank, probably the most famous German armoured vehicle of the Second World War, might have been a war-winning, break-through weapon if it had been produced in sufficient numbers and if it had been introduced earlier on the Eastern Front, before the balance of strength had tipped towards the Soviet Union. At the Battle of Kursk there were not enough Tigers to make a decisive difference and thereafter the Tiger was forced to play a mainly defensive role as the Wehrmacht struggled to withstand the advances of the Red Army. And it is this period in the Tiger tank’s short history that Dennis Oliver concentrates on in this, his third book on the Tiger in the TankCraft series.

He uses archive photos and extensively researched colour illustrations to examine the tanks and units of the German army’s heavy panzer battalions. A large part of the book showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of the Tigers of 1943.

Features

• Detailed design and construction history of the Tiger I on the Eastern Front in 1943.
• Focuses on the vital role played by the Tiger in the Battle of Kursk.
• Details of variants and field and manufacturer's modifications .
• Color references for markings and paint schemes.
• Gallery of photographs of scale models.
• Sources for additional information from other publications and websites.

Contents

• Pages 1 through 16 address vehicle history, maps, historical chronology of battles and unit organizarions. Several black and white images are included.
• Pages 17-26 show color side views, both left and right side, of several variants. Accompanying text provides additional vehicle detail information.
• Pages 27 through 42 are the Modelers' Showcase, featuring work by Ralph Riese, Naomasa Dairaku, and Luciano Rodriguez. The color photos in this section are well worth the price of admission for the details provided. Excellent modeling reference.
• Pages 42 though 45 provides information on the various manufacturers of scale Tiger I models. Several of the most popular scales are noted along with samples of build-up models and box art.
• Pages 49 through 60 address Tiger units on the Eastern Front.
• Pages 61 through 64 provides Technical details and factory and field modifications.
• And finally pages 64 provides information for Product contact list and acknowledgements.

Conclusion

This is a fantastic publication for any armor fan. The black and white images and the colors pictures make this a valuable reference and inspiration source for scale modelers and those interested in military history. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Casemate Publications, Pen and Sword Military and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this publication.