Reference, Wings and Wheels, G 020, PT-76 Family in Detail
October 13 2008 at 5:55 PM
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WINGS & WHEELS PUBLICATIONS
G 020, PT-76 Family in Detail. By Frantisek Koran, David Perry and Jan-Willem de Boer, with color plates by Stepanek. Soft covers, 8.75 x 9.5-inches, 144 pages. Contains 409 color photos, 21 technical manual illustrations and six color plates. ISBN 978-80-86416-72-4.
The Soviet-designed PT-76 amphibious reconnaissance tank has seen wide service since its inception into service in the early 1950s. It has spawned several variants, while China and Czechoslovakia have also constructed their own versions of the basic tank and APC respectively. Likewise, user nations have heavily modified some vehicles, while (notably) Israel has used captured examples with more local modifications. What this adds up to for modelers is a wealth of subjects and conflicts to depict.
In 1/35th-sacle, Scotland’s Accurate Armour kitted a PT-76 back in the early 1990s, while Eastern Express also had a styrene rendition some years ago. Recently, Trumpeter released a PT-76 and a PT-76B; they have also listed a Polish variant which had a modified hatch lid layout on the turret roof as well as a 12.7mm machine-gun fitted there. Traditionally, there was virtually nothing (save the classic AFV Profile) on the subject of use to modelers who wished to detail their latest replica. So, this latest WWP title will go a long way towards filling an important gap in available references.
The main variants given photographic coverage include the following:
The only major variant not covered is the ASU-85, while other distantly-related vehicles, such as the ZSU-23/4, SP artillery and SAM systems are rightly the subject for a completely different book.
Each type is covered with a detailed text, which tells of development, modifications and deployment of the subject in question. The many small differences between the PT-76 and the PT-76B are shown clearly in the photographs; even better, the differences are described in the text as well. This should serve to thoroughly de-confuse the reader, as well as the modeler who may have been wondering which Trumpeter kit to purchase. The English-language text is also lucid and properly translated; this amounts to a less “bumpy” read-through than is sometimes the case. To supplement the text, specification tables are given for the four main variants covered: PT-76B, BTR-50PK, OT-62 and FROG-3.
All of this sets the stage for viewing the extraordinary collection of color photographs spread between these covers. Each of the above-listed variations is covered in greater or lesser detail, depending on where the vehicle was photographed by the tri-national team who put this book together. Where possible, there is full internal coverage as well as coverage of the vehicle’s power pack and its compartment. The quality of the photos and their reproduction on glossy coated paper stock is exceptional. Many of the overall views take up an entire half-page, while the detail images are in various sizes, depending on the book’s layout and what the photos depict. One way or another, all should prove to be of use to those modelers wanting to super-detail their replicas. The captions that are given are informative, after a fashion. In many cases a single paragraph will suffice to describe two facing pages. In many other instances, there is so much information in the photos, which is not adequately detailed in the captions. In a few cases, the captions are downright inadequate.
The color photos are complimented by a number of excerpts from vehicle technical manuals. These will help clarify some details seen in a more “confused way” in the photos. They are especially useful for the internal views of the driver’s compartment, the turret and fighting compartment. Drawings also cover the main gun, secondary weapons and instrument panels. For those wishing to detail the relatively large interiors (these tanks were overly large in comparison to their weight in order to provide enough internal volume to float), these sections will prove to be invaluable.
The final bit in the book consists of a two-page spread that gives six color plates, profiling three PT-76s and three BTR-50s. They are well-rendered by an un-credited artist (presumably a “Mr.” Stepanek), but have been ill-served by whoever was responsible for the book’s production. Each color plate has been “stretched” lengthwise (Photoshop should be handled with care!) with no regard for such things as round wheels. Despite this, they are still useful, since they offer a good variety of colors, markings, users and time periods.
On balance, this title is a splendid visual resource for modelers; it should definitely be on the book shelves of modelers who like modern Soviet/Warsaw Pact equipment.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
Wings and Wheels books are available from mail order and retail outlets. They can also be acquired direct through their web site at: www.wwpbooks.com.
