NUTS & BOLTS


Vol.20, Leichter Zugkraftwagen 3-ton and Variants Hanomag/Borgward Sd.Kfz.11. By Dr. Nicolaus Hettler, with illustrations by John Rue and David Parker. Soft covers, A4 size, 144 pages. Contains 131 B&W and 134 color photographs, eight charts, six color plates, 19 pages of 1/35th-scale line drawings, two pages of contemporary drawings and modeler’s section. ISBN: not given.


The Nuts & Bolts team built their reputation by providing references for less well-known German military vehicles and pieces of ordnance, and for providing extremely-detailed portraits of some of the more widely-used types, that, for one reason or another have never been given their due. They have already issued volumes on the heavier Sd.Kfz.8 and Sd.Kfz.9 half-track tractors, which have become the “go-to” source on these massive vehicles. Now, after a number of years in preparation, they have released an absolutely fabulous book on the leichter Zugkraftwagen 3-ton Sd.Kfz.11.


What immediately sets this volume apart from any other available material on this particular vehicle is the exceptional scope of the information presented. Not only are prototypes and early production examples, as well as the more standardized types given coverage, but a number of very unusual variants, some configured as self-propelled guns, are also described. In short, there is a load of information on this type that was previously unknown in the past, which, with dogged research on the part of the author and the N&B “Team”, can now be brought to light.


The text and captions are presented in a parallel fashion in both the German and English languages; the latter reads well with only a minimum of typographical errors. The text begins with information on the manufacturers as well as the initial concept and design of this light tractor, followed up with details on the various types accepted for production. Further information is provided regarding the many body styles and modifications seen during the production run, as well as on “one-off” wartime and post-war vehicles. The text also provides information on the organization of the various principal types of units that fielded these vehicles to include Smoke Generating, Field Artillery, Anti-Tank, Anti-Aircraft and Remote Control (demolition) units. The last two sections of the text describe pre-war and wartime German vehicle painting practices (based on the latest information promulgated by the Panzer Tracts team of Jentz and Doyle) and a basic overview of available kits in some of the popular modeling scales. Various tabular data is inserted here and there to include production figures, vehicle specifications and limited unit listings.


Naturally, the core of this book is the amazing collection of contemporary photographs and drawings, which are complimented by an extensive section devoted to 1/35th-scale line drawings covering virtually every major, and several minor types. Most of the photographs are very well-captioned, but in some cases some very interesting images are provided, but there are no captions at all. This is especially prevalent amongst the photos seen interspersed within the text. There is an extremely interesting wartime color photo on the title page, showing an Sd.Kfz.11 and a truck on a road. The truck mounts a Soviet Quad Maxim machine-gun on its bed, manned by a Luftwaffe gunner. What is most intriguing are the armed men in civilian clothing seen standing around, amongst armed German troops. I’d sure like to know what that was all about!


For the most part, the photos are reproduced quite well, depending of course on the condition of the originals.


The wonderful scale drawings, by John Rue, depict over two-dozen types, with the only major variant missing being the armored version mounting the 2cm FlaK38. These are accompanied by several contemporary line drawings depicting proposals for mounting various guns to the chassis. Also, tucked away early in the book is a set of line drawings depicting the manufacturer’s logos of several of the firms that designed and produced this vehicle. These can be useful elsewhere to modelers by helping to identify various other vehicle types such as field cars and trucks.


The six color plates, by David Parker (of AFV Modeller magazine) depict five Sd.Kfz.11s and a single Sd.Kfz.11/1. All are based on photographs seen elsewhere in the book, which are repeated thumb-nail style, next to each color plate. The variety in color schemes is quite interesting; for the most part the markings are rather drab, except for the tractor that sports a cartoon depicting what appears to be the classic comic actor, Oliver Hardy. Mr. Parker also created the graphic design for the book, and he is to be commended for his fine work.


The final segment of the book consists of detail and “walk-around” photos of several vehicle types seen in various museum collections around the world. These include the Sd.Kfz.11, 11/1, 11/2 and coastal surf-rescue vehicle (talk about unusual!); various body styles are shown including the “einheits” cab/stake body version, and the relatively rare Pionier (pioneer/combat engineers) version. Cockpits, engine compartment, body features, suspension system and various other components are covered in fine fashion, with all given their due using informative captioning.


The final page in the book as well as the insides of the two covers depict several 1/35th-scale models, one based on the recent AFV Club kit of the “einheits” version, by Mario Eens, and the other two based on older Sovereign kits and built by Tony Greenland. They are basically in the form of “showcase” pieces, with no real information regarding the actual construction. Their function is to inspire, and I think they do this in an extraordinary fashion.


I suppose that what’s so remarkable about this book is how it reveals the almost insane variety in the production types and sub-types of a vehicle which saw such relatively wide service. The book’s high production values, particularly as it applies to its graphics content is sure to make this a very valuable reference for the modeler. This book may also prove to be a humbling experience for those of us (myself included!) who may have thought they “knew” this particular subject.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto


Nuts & Bolts books 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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The following was sent in by Heiner Duske from Nuts & Bolts, regarding a production error in the above-reviewed book:


Nuts & Bolts Vol. 20 - Addendum to Scale Drawings

To all who have already received Nuts & Bolts Vol. 20 Sd.Kfz.11 3 ton Zugkraftwagen & variants Hanomag / Borgward:

Unfortunately during the printing process the titles of the following drawings are missing, because the colour green was forgotten. Please excuse this mistake:

p.79 top drawing: Hansa-Lloyd HL kl2 (prototype)
p.79 bottom,page 80 top & center:Hansa-Lloyd HL kl3 (prototype)
p.80 bottom: Sd.Kfz. 11 le.Zgkw auf HL kl5 Fahrgestell
p.98 top: 7,5 cm Pak 42 auf 3 ton Zugmaschine
p.98 center: 7,5 cm Pak L/70 in le.F.H.43 (Hp) Oberlafette auf 3 ton Zugmaschine
p.98 bottom: 8,8 cm Pak 43 auf 3 ton Zugmaschine Entwurf 2
p.99 top: 10,5 cm le.F.H. 18/40 auf 3 ton Zugmaschine

My thanks go to Heiner for sending this information, as well as posting it to the Axis DG. N&B are to be commended for this effort to ensure the transmission of accurate information to its readers.

Frank