Reference, Nuts & Bolts 23, Panzerjäger I 4.7cm PaK(t) auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B ohne Turm (Sd.

NUTS & BOLTS


Volume 23, Panzerjäger I 4.7cm PaK(t) auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B ohne Turm (Sd.Kfz.101) Ente. By Heiner F. Duske, with illustrations by John Rue and Laurent Lecocq. Soft covers, 8.25 x 11.5-inches, 120 pages. Contains 106 B&W and 113 color photos, eight pages of scale line drawings, 12 pages of color art, four charts and tables, plus bibliography. ISBN not given.


It is always a treat when a new book appears for review from the Nuts & Bolts team. Their well-earned reputation for relatively complete coverage of some of the more unusual German AFVs of World War Two goes back some years. In fact, their original book on the subject of the Panzerjäger I, which was released almost twelve years ago, still stands the test of time. If the modeler already owns a copy (Vol.7) he should consider himself to be fortunate. If the modeler has an interest in the new DML kit, this reviewer strongly urges him to get a copy of this latest volume (Vol.23) to flesh out his coverage, even if the older book still resides in his library.


Essentially, this book as almost completely new. It includes dozens of archival images of the Panzerjäger I as well as over 100 color photos of a surviving example held in Germany. All of the color plates are completely new, as are the CAD-generated 1/35th-scale plans and perspective views. In addition, new information regarding colors and markings has been incorporated into the book. Along with a modelers section head-lined by Tony Greenlands classic Italeri kit and the new DML kit, this book is as up-to-date and information-packed as can be.


All text and captions are in the dual-language German/English format. The text lays out the development of the Panzerjäger I as well as its deployment history and unit organization. It is complimented by technical specification tables, a chart showing the organization of a typical Panzerjäger-Abteilung and an organogram of a typical Panzerjäger-Kompanie. The text discusses all known user units, and the fates of captured and restored Panzerjäger Is are described. The final bit of text is devoted to modeling the Panzerjäger I and includes a kit and accessory list.


Of course the real meat in a Nuts & Bolts book has to be the photographic content. The author has made quite an effort to come up with new archival material and he has succeeded rather well. Note that the image in the center of page 53 is improperly-captioned; the halftrack is an Sd.Kfz.8 12-tonner, not an Sd.Kfz.7 as described. The photos of the restored Panzerjäger I are now in full-color as opposed to B&W as seen in the original book. They appear to be mostly the same images and are served by call-out letters superimposed over the image, which are then keyed to specific passages in the captions. That these are the same images are reinforced in the captions, which are repetitions of those in the original book.


The CAD-generated scale plans by John Rue are all completely new. Five full 1/35th-scale views are provided for each of the early and late types, while each is further complimented by four perspective views. A page is devoted to the gun on its field carriage, while another page has scratch-views of the gun and shield as mounted on the SP chassis. Finally, a diagram of the radio wiring is provided as a schematic.


The color plates, by my colleague Laurent Lecocq, well represent his usual attention to detail. Part of one page and all of another is devoted to unit markings, Tac signs and numbers, vehicle names and national insignia. Again, these have been revised to incorporate new information, notably related to the use of the Panzerjäger I by the Waffen-SS in the Soviet Union. Several vehicle color plates are in profile views, while the remainder are perspective views. These are accurate and very well-rendered, although the Panzerjäger Is seen in France in 1940 should probably be in a two-tone scheme of dark brown and dark grey instead of dark grey only, as depicted.


The modeling section is more of a showcase than a how-to segment. It features Tony Greenlands older model of the Panzerjäger I based on the Italeri kit with plenty of after-market and scratch-built bits. He compliments this with a build of the new DML kit, although he still chose to mark it improperly for the Waffen-SS as is shown elsewhere in the book.


So, yes, there are a couple of glitches and some repetition within these covers. However, whether the modeler owns the first book or not, this new Nuts & Bolts title is a must-have for those building the new DML kit.


Highly recommended.


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. Additionally, in North America they can be purchased from Dragon USA at: www.dragonusaonline.com.


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