Reference, Nuts & Bolts Volume 24, Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.D/E and Variants

NUTS & BOLTS

Volume 24, Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.D/E and Variants (Flamm-Pz.II, Marder II & More). By Joachim Baschin, with illustrations by John Rue and Laurent Lecocq. Soft covers, 8.25 x 11.75-inches, 160 pages. Contains 249 B&W photos, 34 color photos, 14 pages of color plates, 18 pages of 1/35th-scale drawings, 14 sets of detail line drawings, eight organization charts, one family tree chart, 41 tables, modelers section and bibliography. ISBN not applicable.

This reviewer always looks forward to the release of a new title from the Nuts & Bolts team. Aside from the high production values exhibited, the series usually covers a less well-known German AFV, or a more widely-known type in intimate detail. In the case of the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.D and E, there is very little information readily available on the standard gun tank; conversely, the flamethrower and anti tank variants are relatively well-documented. As this book covers all the above mentioned variants, it can be considered the current definitive word on the subject.

In the now standard style, the text is in a parallel English and German format, as are all captions and tabulated data. In this book, the well-written text covers a wide range of areas regarding the gun tank, including development and production, armament sub-systems, and the physical attributes of the chassis, turret and superstructure, engine, transmission and suspension system. Unit allocations and the brief combat career of the gun tank are also discussed. Then its on to a similar treatment of the flame tank and SP anti-tank versions. All of this is ably supported by a large number of organization charts and data tables, as well as a chart that graphically shows a family tree of the Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.D/E and its offspring; this is really quite handy for a rapid understanding of the relationship of the entire series of vehicles.

There are a relatively large numbers of organization charts (K.St.N.) for the various units that used the gun tank, flame tank, SP anti-tank gun and even driver training tanks. Some of the charts are more graphic, featuring vehicle silhouettes, while others simply list vehicle types, their quantity, and their distribution within sub-units. Taken together, they are very, very useful. Other charts list unit allocations and vehicle technical specifications.

The photographic content is simply outstanding. There are no other publications on the market today that will have as many archival photographs of the short-lived gun tank, compared to this book. This alone may be worth the price of admission. There are also several images taken from period tech manuals, as well as detail images of some preserved common vehicle components (tools and weapons), seen on other vehicle types. Add a fine selection of operational images of flame tanks, SP anti-tank guns, rare bridge-laying tanks and driver training tanks, and the books value to the modeler and student of technology is unsurpassed. About the only shortcoming here is that the usual color images of museum-held vehicles is not included. This is no fault of the author, as apparently, none exist. To make up for this, a small number of color photographs of preserved machine-gun armed turrets from the flame tank, mounted on concrete emplacements (Ringstände) in Norway, are provided.

Next in line are several sets of 1/35th-scale line drawings showing all major versions, some of their production differences, and rarities such as the driver training tank and bridge-layer. The major versions are also depicted as perspective drawings as well. There are a number of non-scale line drawings that depict such details as the radio component and wiring layout, suspension system, hull/chassis layout, internal and external components, armor layouts, turret and concrete emplacements. These are all ably-presented by N&B team member John Rue. Color profiles of 27 different vehicles, a separate page devoted to markings details and two more sections on 2cm and 7.5cm ammunition, are also presented by Laurent Lecocq. These are all properly researched and beautifully-rendered, but this reviewer must admit to being biased in that regard. Mr. Lecocq works with him on his Concord books!

The modeling section features all three main vehicle sub-types, all presumably modeled by Tony Greenland; his name is not directly listed as the contributor to this section, but it is on the cover as he is a part of the N&B team. They are all competently done, as one would expect from a man of his status. The only caveat would be that the modeler should not use the markings (and one paint scheme) applied to any of the models as historic references; they are mostly quite notional. In addition, there is a listing of available kits and accessories in various scales. It has a glitch or two, since it does not list Model Kasten items mentioned in the photo captions, and improperly lists Friulmodel products as Model Kasten items. This is no great headache, but could confuse some.

When all is said and done though, this is an excellent reference source on many levels. It well-serves both the modeler and the student of military history and technology, which probably includes all who are reading this review.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

Nuts & Bolts publications are available at retail and mail order shops and from the publisher Heiner F. Duske at: Nikolaus-Otto-Strasse 10, 24536 Neumünster, Germany. E-mail: hfd.duske@t-online.de.

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