Tankcraft books

[Rodders]

Hi,

I'm going to try to do some 35th Dragon kits(Panzer 2a with interior and Panzer 4d 3 in one kit) but have not got much reference. I was looking at the Tankcraft books but have never seen one in the flesh so to speak. Just wondered what people's views are on Tankcraft books or indeed can anyone suggest good references for said armour.

Thanks for any help.

Cheers,

Rodders

[Stef N.]

I have their book on the T-54/55 and it is ok. A fair few photos and looks at relevant kits. Not the most in depth book but it wasn't expensive so I got what I paid for.

If you want technical then Nuts and Bolts and Panzer Tracts are not too expensive, have a good range and worth looking at.

Book by David Doyle tend to have plenty of photos for inspiration.

[Seahawk]

I have fifteen, mostly bought at below cover price (Blackwells of Oxford were doing them about 25% off, P&P free at one stage).  If you haven't got much of a reference library, they are good one-stop- shop primers.  They used be split about 2/3 history of user units/chronology of technical detail changes over time to 1/3 photos of built-up models and available kits/accessories.  Somewhere along the line (in the mid 30s?) they changed the balance so the history and technical detail section became very perfunctory (in fact pretty useless) and the space devoted to photos of built models, available kits and accessories was expanded.  I have limited interest in other people's models and Hannants' catalogue is a much cheaper way of finding out what kits and accessories are available, so I haven't bought a single one since the formula changed.  From memory the Panzer IV one was issued before The Change but the Panzer I/II is after: I know I looked at it at a show and put it back because the content was so thin.

 

So, early ones not bad, later ones marginal IMHO.  And, if you are seriously interested about the subject, there are probably other books that would give better value for money.  Either way, it's not too difficult to get hold of them at less that cover price.