I have reviewed all of the superb ‘Panzerwrecks’ books in TMMI (five volumes to date, with Volume six on the way) and I’ve found each one to be a fabulous source of information for military modellers, so I was intrigued to see what the publisher’s new book entitled ‘Panzertruppen’ would hold in store. For starters, it’s different to the ‘Wrecks books as it features mostly intact tanks, still in service with the Panzertruppen, or tank troops, which is quite a contrast from the destroyed, abandoned or captured AFVs Lee Archer and William Auerbach are best known for showing us. We begin with some great views of ‘topless’ panzerfahrschule PzIs in action, plus a Panzer I in the very early three colour camouflage scheme - great for making your kit look more interesting than overall grey - a very encouraging start! Things get better and better with some superb full page-width original photographs of Panzer Is in the early-war period, including the kleiner PzI befehlswagen, of which Dragon make a kit.

We move on the Panzer II, and on page seventeen we are treated to a superb shot of an 8th PD PzII A or B which on its own should provide enough inspiration to get out and buy Tamiya’s forthcoming 1:35 kit. Over the page is round-nosed PzII Ausf.A that just shows its grey/brown camouflage scheme. We progress onto further views of PzIIs, and here we do see some wrecked examples - great modelling refs.

The attractive Pz38(t) gets ample coverage in both functional and destroyed states, and as with most of the images in the book, the presentation shows them large ands full of detail - perfect.
Panzer III is next up, and on page 49 we have a diorama in the making, showing a camouflaged and KO’d PzIII Ausf.J at a railyard in Russia alongside an equally destroyed Russian truck, superb inspiration. The plethora of PzIIIs continues, leading into a final collection of detailed and crisp Panzer IV photographs that will have you reaching for your Dragon and Tristar kits with the urge to get building!

To sum up, this new title from the Panzerwrecks people is an utterly unmissable collation of high quality wartime photographs taken by servicemen, so they show the machines as they really looked - mud, dust and damage included. If you fancy some inspiration to build some models of early war Axis hardware, factor in the modest amount of £11.99 ($21.95 US) to your project and get this book, you will not regret it. Highly recommended.

Reproduced by kind permission of Tamiya Model Magazine International (opens in a new window)