Book Review: M60A2 Main Battle Tank, Volume 1

Sabot Publications is a relatively new publisher and M60A2 Main Battle Tank Volume 1 In Detail is their third release.  As the title states, this book examines the M60A2, the most short lived and least successful member of the M60 family of tanks..  The format of the book is pretty simple, this is primary a photo reference book.  Their are a couple pages at the beginning of the book giving a history of the M60A2, followed by 120+ pages of photos.  The layout consists primarily of two black and white pictures per page with text descriptions.  The photo captions are well done and contain a good deal of information.

All in all, there are over 250 pictures in this book, primarily showing the M60A2 out in the field.  There are several different individual tanks shown on exercise in Germany in the 1978-1980 period.  People looking for pictures of the M60A2 being recovered from getting immobilized will find quite a few nice examples between these pages.  There are also sections devoted to close up shots of various components, including multiple pictures of the 152mm gun being removed from the vehicle.  A photo of an M60A2 next to a Soviet T-55 gives a nice example of just how tall the M60 family of tanks were compared to their cold war adversary.

M60A2 bookThe book is roughly magazine sized, with card stock thickness covers, a strong binding and nice quality glossy pages.  Total page count is 128 pages.  This book should serve as a very handy reference for model builders who decide to tackle this rather unusual vehicle.  Sabot Publication is planning a second volume looking at the M60A2 which should be available relatively soon.  Other Sabot titles include volumes on the M1A2 SEP Abrams and the M9ACE, and upcoming titles include those looking at the Stryker MGS, Patriot Mobile Missile Defense System, M1 ABV, and the MLRS.  For more information regarding Sabot Publications, be sure to visit their Facebook page.

Book Alert: Sabot Publications

12891003_275409292790884_1564371212859414424_oToday we take a look at Sabot Publications, a new publisher of “walk around” style photo books on armored vehicles. Started earlier this year by Christopher Mrosko and Brett W. Avants, Sabot has released two books so far with two more scheduled for release later this summer.  The first title, released earlier this year is Meng Sabot Publication M1A2 Sep Abrams Main Battle Tank in Detail Book SP001. As the title implies, this book examines the M1A2 SEP Abrams MBT. The book is 104 pages and features full color photos, color plates and scale diagrams. This book was followed by the recently released 126 page volume M9 Ace Armored Combat Earthmover.  As far as we know, this is the most detailed examination of the M9 Ace published to date.  Ampersand Group did a nice review of the M9 ACE book which can be viewed at this link.  The next release slated from Sabot is a two volume set on the M60A2.  The first volume consists of  132 pages of in action photos of M60A2’s in Germany from 1978 – 1980 including photos from gunnery, maneuvers, recoveries, winter, mud and slush, and some maintenance such as turret and gun removals.  Volume 2 consists of about 30 pages of clear color photos of the M60A2 in action in Germany. The other 100 pages are an extensive walkaround of the exterior and interior.  These books are expected to be released in July and August.