What would this lot’s choices for a decent, well-rounded German armor reference library include?
I have some Osprey titles, Carius’s Tigers in the Mud as well as Jentz’ Tigers at the Front and Schneider’s Tigers in Combat II.
I need/want more photographic/artwork of Pz. I through IV…and their variants.
Thoughts?
Look for Concord titles that suite your interest area, and Squadron’s three volumes of Panzer Colors. They have some errors, but the photos themselves are great references.
I own the book “Der Panzer-Kampwagen PANTHER Und Seine Abarten”
An excellent 280 + page book showing photos and drawings of the hull and all the subsystems ranging from engine, exhaust, cooling, suspension, transmission, electrical, optics in detail, electrical system schematics. Numerous detailed drawings that alone explain a lot about the Panther’s construction.
Unfortunately, the text is im Deutsch.
BUT the pictures alone were worth it.
Don’t know who currently imports it to the USA.
The publisher’s online price shows 19.95 Euros which seems less (equivalent) than what I recall paying > 25 years ago.
You may be able to order direct as any German business will have English speaking staff.
As I purchased my copy >25 years ago, the publisher may have an English version by now.
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Best wishes on your search. Hope this helps.
BTW…a website with nice photos of a recovery Panther…
http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/bergepanther/bp.htm
and a model military vehicle builder website similar to FSM…but in German…
For vehicle photos…click on the Referenzen link on the title page and then the photo marked In Detail …
Walk-Around photos of WWII vehicles are close to the bottom of the webpage.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the input guys, I’ll check out Concord and the Spielberg books.
Any and all of the old Squadron-Signal In Action series you can get your hands on. Is, IIs, IIIs, Stugs, IVs, Panthers, Tigers, variants, etc. These are full of original war time black and white photos.
[:)]
If you’re looking for just photograph-based references, then the Spielberger books aren’t for you. The Spielberger references will only have a couple of photos for each variant or Ausf in a vehicle class and typically goes into much more detail (text) around the development, changes, etc. of the vehicle. They are great information references but are pricey. RZM Imports, www.rzm.com , carries many of the Spielberger volumes and they are a valuable part of my reference library but you should be fully aware of what you’re getting. [;)]
The Panzer Tracts series of references are also useful if you’re looking for in-depth information on a particular type or class of vehicles. These, like the Spielberger books, aren’t going to be photo heavy per se but they will provide photos an info on the lesser-known subjects within a family.
I would also recommend you look for books by Waldemar Trojca, particularly the “At War” series as these are virtually 100% photos (although some of the captions have errors) and are a great visual reference for the $$$.
As with anything in the hobby, specific reference books can quickly empty your wallet. I probably have more $$$ in my reference library than I do in my kit stash! [:D]
Bill already covered the Trojca titles, but I’d add the Achtung Panzer series as well.
It depends on what you want. If it is more technical data, the books you listed probably aren’t the best…If it is history you are after then they are decent…
I don’t mind a heavy dose of dense technical write-ups on each Ausf., but photos that illustrate these changes are more helpful (to me) in seeing what those differences are than a chapter talking about the deletion of the radio operator’s vision slit.
At any rate, technical history is equally as interesting as the battle histories.
I’ll look into some of these additional recommendations, thanks.