Sherman Tanks Of The British Army And Royal Marines

“One neat book full of markings for British Shermans. It will greatly appeal to both modelers and AFV enthusiasts and historians.”—AMPS Indianapolis With production in excess of 55,000, the Sherman tank was eventually in service with most Allied armies of the Second World War and by the time of the Normandy landings was the mainstay of Britain’s armored battalions. In his second book in the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses wartime photos and extensively researched, exquisitely presented color illustrations to cover the Sherman tanks used by the units of the Royal Armoured Corps and the Royal Marines during the fighting in northern France. As with all the books in the TankCraft series, a large part of this work showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also explained as is the complex system of markings employed by British armored regiments. This book will give the modeler all the information and knowledge required to recreate an authentic miniature representation of the tanks that fought from the beaches of Normandy, through the battles for Caen and on to killing fields of Falaise. “Provides a clear overview of the Sherman tank in British service during the Normandy Campaign. This will appeal to anyone with an interest in armoured warfare and the period covered. Much Recommended.”—Firetrench “A good-value reference for any Sherman fan, but particularly those new to the subject and who favour ‘Blighty’s’ armour.”—Airfix Model World

“An excellent resource for one just starting out trying to model one of these beasts . . . great background information.” —AMPS Designed with the hard lessons of the North African campaign in mind, including the adoption of a dual-purpose gun capable of firing high-explosive and anti-tank rounds, the Cromwell was one of the most successful of the British cruiser tanks produced during the Second World War. The lack of heavy armor was made up for by the tank’s high speed, provided by a Rolls-Royce Meteor engine. The Centaur was externally almost identical to the Cromwell, the major difference being the installation of the less powerful Liberty engine. While the Centaur equipped the Royal Marines during the Normandy battles, the Cromwell served until the end of the war and formed the basis for the Comet. In his fifth book in the TankCraft series, author and illustrator Dennis Oliver uses official wartime photographs and comprehensively researched, exquisitely presented color profiles to tell the story of the penultimate British cruiser tank. As with all the titles in the TankCraft series, the large full-color section features available model kits and accessories as well as aftermarket products. In addition to the color profiles, there is a gallery of expertly constructed and painted models. A separate section explains technical details and modifications made during production and in the field, giving the modeler all the information required to create an authentic replica of one of the tanks that served from the Normandy beaches to the final battles in Germany.

This fully illustrated study of these iconic WWII tanks will be “of great interest to history buffs and an inspirational aid to modelers” (Toy Soldier & Model Figure). Designed as a heavily armored tank which could accompany infantry formations, the Churchill Tank’s ability to cross rough ground and climb seemingly unassailable hills became legendary. The tank first saw action in 1942 and the basic design was constantly reworked and up-gunned, culminating in the Mark VII version which was capable of taking on the heaviest German tanks. In this volume of the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses archive photographs and thoroughly researched, vividly presented color profiles to tell the story of these fearsome British tanks. A full color section features available model kits and accessories as well as aftermarket products. In addition to the color profiles there is a gallery of expertly constructed and painted models. A separate section explains technical details and production modifications giving the modeler all the information and knowledge required to recreate an authentic reproduction of one of the tanks that contributed so much to the British effort in the battles for Normandy and the liberation of Europe.

A modeler’s guide to one of the most powerful tanks operating today: “Highly recommended.” —AMPS Indianapolis When the Leopard 2, a third-generation main battle tank, first entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1979, at the height of the Cold War, it was indisputably the most advanced and potent tank in the world. Over four decades it has undergone numerous upgrades and modifications to ensure it remains one of the most powerful tanks operating today. It currently serves with the armies of seventeen nations, from Canada to Turkey and many European states. The Leopard 2 is also a popular subject for modelers, which is why David Grummitt’s highly illustrated expert guide is so valuable. As well as describing in detail the Leopard 2’s design, development, and combat history, he gives a full account of the wide range of modeling kits and accessories available in all the popular scales. Included is a modeling gallery, which features six builds covering a range of Leopard 2s serving with different nations and a section of large-scale color profiles which provide both reference and inspiration for modelers and military enthusiasts alike.