One of the newest titles in WWP's "Photo Manual for Modelers" series is this fantastic title on the T-72 main battle tank.
The T-72 is, perhaps, most famous for its less than stellar performance in Iraqi hands during the 1991 and 2003 Gulf Wars,
but its place in history is much greater than that. Developed by the Soviet Union as a low-cost alternative to the high-tech
T-64, the T-72 has become one of the most exported tanks of the postwar era.
Unlike many titles on the T-72, this book does not focus on ex-Iraqi vehicles, but rather tanks that either are or were
in Czech service. It is rather refreshing to look at vehicles that have not been either damaged or abandoned during
their careers, and does give a fresh perspective. The book is broadly broken down into several sections. First
is a walkaround, showing overall views of the vehicles featured in the detail photographs. Then there are sections focusing
on specific areas of the tank, such as the chassis, toolboxes, hull, and turret. These comprise just over one third
of the book. Among the highlights here are some of the best detail photos I have seen of the NSVT machine gun and its
sight (which literally looks like it was taken out of a fighter aircraft). All of these photos show the minutest details
of the tank, and certainly provide more information than just about any modeller would ever need.
Next is approximately 50 pages of interior photos of the T-72, including some shots of a remarkable training simulator
that uses a T-72-shaped open frame with full interior systems fitted. The complexity of this tank really comes home
in these photos, which show every aspect of the tank's interior, including ammunition and the engine.
After that are a number of photos of Czech T-72s in the field, beginning with some amazing photos of a T-72M1 having a
sprocket removed in the field. The muddy conditions that the crew are working in are noteworthy, and provide plenty
of inspiration for dioramas. One of my favourite vehicles shown in the book is a T-72MK command vehicle depicted on
exercise crossing a pontoon bridge. What is noteworthy about the vehicle is the fact that it is fitted with both
rubberized skirts and the earlier gill armour, a configuration that I have never seen before. Some of the tanks in this
section sport exercise markings (for example, the white cross on the turret and hull roof) and all of them are excellent references
for weathering. A few other countries' T-72s show up in this section, including East German and Slovakian ones.
Approximately 15 pages are devoted to the latest Czech version of the T-72, the T-72M4CZ. This tank has an impressive
reactive armour array and rubberized covering to reduce radar signature, plus a new engine and rear hull and fire control
system, including an independent observation and gunnery system in front of the commander's station. This would make
an impressive model.
Finally, there are a dozen pages of coverage of the Czech-built VT-72B recovery vehicle based on the T-72 chassis.
This is a very interesting and complex vehicle that would make a great conversion project.
As well as the many details shown of T-72s, some very interesting camouflage and marking schemes are shown in these photos.
I was particularly interested in the art which appeared on the searchlight covers of some of the Czech tanks, as well as the
three colour camouflage that some of them wore. A pile of great modelling subjects are in here.
The photography in this book is outstanding, as is the reproduction of the photos. I honestly couldn't ask for any
better for these purposes. The authors have a fine eye for picking out details that even somebody crawling on a T-72
might overlook.
This is a spectacular book, certainly one of the most detailed photo references I have seen on a vehicle. If you
have any interest at all in the T-72, this book is a must-have. Highly recommended, if you haven't already figured that
out!
June 28, 2006
