Ampersand Publications has announced a new addition to their visual history series titled M42 Duster, scheduled for release this month. Written by David Doyle, this book examines the M42 “Duster: mobile anti-aircraft platform. The book is one hundred pages, soft cover with over 260 black and white and color photos. According to the Ampersand website, this volume offers complete coverage of the M42 during its development phase and later during its deployment in Vietnam. Also includes extensive walk around photos.
Book Alert: M42 Duster
May 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Reprints of “Patton” and “Half-Track” by Hunnicutt released
May 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Echo Point Books has released reprints of R. P. Hunnicutt’s books “Patton” and “Half-Track.” Earlier this year they also released reprint editions of “Stuart” and “Sherman” by Hunnicutt. Unlike the Stuart and Sherman books which are priced at $69.95 softcover and 499.95 hardcover, the Patton book is $59.95/$79.95 while the Half-Track book is $39.95/$49.95. Reviews of these reprints have generally been mixed, with purchasers commenting that the paper quality is not the high quality glossy paper found in the original editions. It has also been noted that these reprints appear to be based on scans of the original works. According to ‘The Chieftain” Nicholas Moran, the publisher will be changing their printing mechanism for future print runs.
Book Alert: The History of the Panzerwaffe Volume 1: 1939-1943
May 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Amazon is listing a October 20, 2015 release date for the upcoming book “The History of the Panzerwaffe Volume 1: 1939-1943 by Thomas Anderson. Published by Osprey, the book is listed as having 304 pages and is in hardcover. In regards to books on armor, Osprey is primarily known for their “New Vanguard” series of slender soft cover books. Over the past few years Osprey has published several hardcover books on armor as well, all of them focusing on German WW2 panzers.
Publishers Description:
This is the definitive history of the evolution of the feared German Panzerwaffe, from its earliest beginings to the height of its success. With rare and revealing combat reports and photographs sourced from previously unseen private and archival collections, it uncovers the technical and operational stories of the formidable armored beasts that formed the backbone of the German war machine–tanks such as the Panzer I, II and 38(t).
The Germans transformed armored warfare from a lumbering and ponderous experiment in World War I, into something that could decide the outcome of conflicts. This technical and operational history is the definitive guide to the legendary Panzerwaffe, from its very infancy to the days when it made Europe its garden path at the height of Nazi German power.
Book Alert: Armoured Horseman: With the Bays and Eight Army in North Africa and Italy
May 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Amazon has listed a release date of May 30, 2015 for the book “Armoured Horseman: With the Bays and Eight Army in North Africa and Italy” by Peter Willett. Published by well known military book publisher Pen and Sword Books, the books will be available in both print and electronic editions and is 192 pages.
Publishers Description:
New memoirs by combatants in the Second World War are sadly rare today due to the passage of time. Armoured Horsemen will be warmly welcomed as the author, now into his 90s, fought through with The Bays from Alamein to Tunis and then on up Italy until VE Day. As a young tank troop commander his chances of survival were slim and tragically many of his friends were killed.
Peter Willett, a professional journalist and much published author, is superbly qualified to describe his war and the experiences of his fellow cavalrymen. He tells a moving story with characteristic lightness of touch and modesty.As well as satisfying the military enthusiast, Armoured Horseman will find a ready audience in the racing fraternity. Peter describes equestrian activities in post-war Austria and goes on to summarise his career as a racing journalist, authority on breeding, membership of the Jockey Club and long association with Goodwood.
Book Alert: BTR-60 In Detail
April 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Wings and Wheels publications has announced the upcoming release of a new entry in their Green Series examining the BTR-60 family of APCs. This book covers BTR-60PA, BTR-60PB, BTR-60PB-PU-12 and BTR-60PB-R145BM and contains 385 colour photos and manual drawings on 120 pages. The author of the book is František Kořán, the owner of WWP. The release date for the book is April 24. To order the book, or to see other titles from this series that are available, go to the WWP website at http://wwpbooks.com.
Book Alert: Hunnicutt’s Sherman and Stuart reprinted
April 9, 2015 by 1 Comment
As of March 26, Richard Hunnicutt’s books “Stuart” and “Sherman” have been reprinted are and available in both hardcover and softcover. These books have long been out of print and are highly prized by fans of American armor history. Prices on the original editions range from 200-300 dollars so while this reprint edition is not cheap, it is a welcome alternative to the rather pricey original copies. These editions have been published by Echo Point Books & Media, an outfit probably unfamiliar to most tank book readers. According to their website, Echo Point Books specializes in republishing out of print books.
Publisher’s Description for “Sherman”:
Book Alert: General Lesley J. McNair: Unsung Architect of the U.S. Army
April 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Amazon has posted at April 7 release date for the book “General Lesley J. McNair: Unsung Architect of the U.S. Army” by Mark Calhoun. McNair was chief of staff, General Headquarters from 1940-42 and then commander, Army Ground Forces from 1942-1944. In that capacity, he had a great deal of influence on the formation, doctrine and policies of the US Army, including the Armor and Tank Destroyer branches. It is not uncommon to find his name mentioned in online discussions about US WW2 armor, particularly when it comes to the debate over the late introduction of the M26 Pershing tank into the ETO. Often, McNair is presented as the villain in such discussions, a characterization that is most likely unfair. While it is probable that the issues concerning tank deployment and development that so fascinate tank aficionados will only comprise a small part of this book, hopefully there will be much of value here for those interested in the development of the US Armor force in WW2.
Publisher’s Description:
Book Alert: The Armored Forces of the Bulgarian Army 1936-45
March 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Earlier this month Helion Publishing released a new hardcover book on “The Armored forces of the Bulgarian Army 1936-45.” Written by Kaloyan Matev, this volume comes in at a hefty 504 pages. It is probably fair to say this is the most in-depth book that has been written on the topic of the Bulgarian armored forces.
Publishers description: This book provides a detailed history of motor vehicles and armored fighting vehicles in the Bulgarian Army from 1936, during the last years of peace, until the end of the Second World War in 1945.
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Book Alert: IHS Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms AFVs
March 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment
For the tank enthusiast who really wants to impress his friends and has far too much disposable income, allow us to suggest the IHS Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles Yearbook. Written by Christopher Foss, this book provides descriptions and technical data for over 430 land warfare platforms from over 60 countries and the newest edition will be released on July 10, 2015. All for the low low price of $1025.00! If that is not enough to impress your friends, then may we recommend also getting the Land Warfare Platforms Yearbook set, which includes the AFV Yearbook, the Artillery & Air defense Yearbook, the Logistics, Support & Unmanned Vehicles Yearbook and the System Upgrades Yearbook. The 2013-2014 edition will only set you back a mere $3123.75.
Obviously, these books are typically only purchased by government and industry and are well outside the price range of the typical armor enthusiast. However, since these books are published annually, older copies can sometimes be found for reasonable prices online. While not up to date, these older editions still contain a great deal of information that will interest tank and AFV enthusiasts. Here at Tank and AFV News.com, our copy of 1992-1993 AFV Retrofit Systems gets thumbed through regularly for information. Early 90’s copies of the AFV Retrofit Systems book can be found for as little as $15.99. Jane’s also publishes a Tank Recognition Guide written by Christopher Foss intended for the general public.
Book Alert: Magach Tanks of the IDF Volume 2
March 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
SabIngaMartin Publications has announced the release of the latest volume in their series of books on Israeli Defense Force armor, Magach Tanks of the IDF volume 2 by Dr. Robert Manasherob. This volume contains detailed descriptions of the combat, operations and history of M48 Magach tanks during the Six Day War.
80 pages – including 30 in full color- More than 170 black and white and color photos
- Dozens of unique and previously unpublished photos
- Crew photos
- Parade photos
- In-action photos
- Walk-around photos
- 1/35 scale line drawings
- Newly discovered, unique markings
- Tactical markings
- Detailed color profiles
Tank and AFV News 