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Book Review
Panzer Vor! 3

by: Lars Fehse [ TWENTECABLE ]

introduction
The Germans fielded 6 types of Panzers (excluding the types of armour taken over from occupied countries). These types all had numerous variants and were used as platforms for other goals. This book is all about these 6 Panzer types and some of those Beutefahrzeuge.


in depth
It happens to every armour modeller as he develops his hobby. He begins by buying kits, paints etc. Eventually his thoughts turn to reference material.

Concord books provide, as I would call it, general reference. These books always follow the same pattern. They pick a subject; there is a brief introduction (2 to 4 pages) about the subject followed by pages with pictures and captions and some pages of colour plates. These books describe general technical detail; most of these descriptions are related to the pictures the book provides. Reading them will give you an idea of the operational use of the vehicles and men. Most of their publications pick a general subject like a Panzer Division or a period in the war. Some of the books specify on one type of vehicle. This volume is about the 6 Panzer types used by the Germans in WWII. It starts with a four-page introduction on the 6 Panzer types and their variants. After this come the pictures.


picture breakdown
I had the feeling that the content of the book was somewhat unbalanced. Looking at a picture count, one can see I wasn’t wrong. The Panzer I and II types are hopelessly underrepresented. There are not so much Panzer V and VI type pictures and even less of their variants. There is a huge amount of Panzer III and StuG III pictures and also the Panzer IV family is well represented. Now one could argue that these tanks were the backbone of the German armour force but still I personally think that when you make a book about all types there should be a fair balance in the pictures. There are even more pictures of support vehicles (why are they in the book? The introduction isn’t about them) than of the Panzer I and II types. It is also worth mentioning that a lot of pictures are about Bulgarian used German armour (30 pictures in total). This isn’t bad, but why only cover the Bulgarian army? And not also that armour bought by the Finnish, Romanian or Turkish army?
The setup is strange, the Panzer I, II and VI types are depicted together with its variants. The Panzer III and IV are first depicted with pictures of the main battle tank and the variants are depicted after the pictures of the Panzer VI.


in conclusion
I have the feeling the author started with an idea of a book and just couldn’t realize it. The result is a book that feels like it is put together quickly just to release it. It contains some very fuzzy pictures (is it really a Jagdpanzer?) Some pictures are very well known from other publications. In the end there are enough nice pictures to be able to like the book but I have seen better from Concord.
Recommended to starters and those interested in the Bulgarian army.


My thanks to Concord Publications for the review sample.



SUMMARY
A general glance of the german Panzertypes used in WWII. Including some support vehicles.
  PHOTOGRAPHS:60%
  COLOUR PLATES:70%
  VALUE FOR MONEY:70%
Percentage Rating
65%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: 9623611234
  Related Link: Concord Publications
  PUBLISHED: Jul 23, 2006
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 65.00%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.02%

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About Lars Fehse (Twentecable)
FROM: OVERIJSSEL, NETHERLANDS

Copyright ©2021 text by Lars Fehse [ TWENTECABLE ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

I can't comment on this particular title, as I only have volumes one and two (though, given the quality of the first two, volume three is on my "short list"). Mr. DeSisto's captions are the most detailed that I've seen in any of the Concord books. Though far from being a comprehensive reference (they're not intended to be), one can learn an incredible amount by carefully reading this series. Dave
JUL 22, 2006 - 04:03 PM
Hi Dave I have missed the first 2 volumes so I cann't comment them. What I have done is check the build up, judged the pics (I really have seen better but I would like to hear your opinion when you have read this one). I don't say this is a bad book but compared to other concord publictions and other books I own this one is "less".
AUG 10, 2006 - 05:20 PM
   
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