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Concord Armor at War Series 7036
Price approx. $21.95 CDN
This follow-on to the earlier Sherman volume in Concord's excellent-value Armor at War series (7001) by US armour
guru Steve Zaloga is an excellent modelers' reference, being chock-full of excellent, mostly hitherto unseen, photos of Shermans
and their kin in action in North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe.
The photos in this book are outstanding.
I had only seen perhaps 10% of them previously, and the selection of interesting subjects is great. As always, Zaloga
writes informative captions, although there are times when he does not mention interesting features (that's what's fun about
looking at these books yourself, though). I learned a great deal while perusing this book, such as the fact that the
US Army used Composite Hull M4s in Europe (I had previously thought they were only used by the US in the Pacific), that at
least a few M4A3 76(W)s were fitted for bulldozer blades (see the photo on p. 58), and that field telephones were often fitted
to the hull rear of Shermans inside of .30 calibre ammo boxes. Finding out new information is a sure sign that a book
is a good investment.
Some of my favourite photos: the captured M4A3 (76)W, complete with muzzle brake, knocked out in a duel with M36s; American
Shermans with British Crocodiles (notice the trailer wheel visible behind the Churchill) in January 1945; two photos of Creighton
Abrams' Thunderbolt VII, looking much the worse for wear (note that the rubber has come off of the first roadwheel); and the
M4A3 76(W) HVSS, with split loader's hatch and M1A1C gun without muzzle brake. I was also struck by the number of camouflaged
Shermans present in these photos. The camouflage, combined with the huge amounts of stowage and supplemental armour,
make for some wonderfully varied modeling subject within these pages.
The colour plates are well-executed, although I would like to see more scrap views of the front, rear, and/or tops
of these vehicles, in order to give modellers a clearer picture of the complete markings and camouflage patterns of the subjects.
Some of the subjects, such as the M4A3E2s, may be familiar to readers of Military Modelling, but I will not begrudge
the book that. Anyways, where's the book compendium of Zaloga's great articles for that magazine?
As usual, this
Concord book is a great inspiration for modelling and diorama projects. It has provided me with the inspiration to finish
off my M4A1 76(W), and for that alone it was worthwhile. Seriously, this is a superb book.
A real winner.
Highly recommended for anybody interested in American World War II armour.
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