Reference, Model Art ASDP-009, Halbketten Zugkraftwagen 8t Sd.Kfz.7/1/2,

MODEL ART CO. LTD.

ASDP-009, Halbketten Zugkraftwagen 8t Sd.Kfz.7/1/2, AFV Super Detail Photo Book Vol.9. ByAlan Ranger with scale drawings by Hubert Cance. Soft covers, 96 pages, 8.25 x 11.75-inches. Contains 32 B&W and 508 color photographs, two sets of five-view 1/35th-scale line drawings and four tables. No ISBN listed.


With the recent release of new kits of variations on the Sd.Kfz.7 chassis from Trumpeter and DML, the scramble is on for good photographic references in order for modelers to detail their replicas. Wings & Wheels, from the Czech Republic released a book on the Sd.Kfz.7 over a year ago (also reviewed here at MLs ToT page), which is quite well done. But, from the standpoint of modelers, more is always better, thus this latest title from Model Art. It should be noted that both books depict essentially the same preserved examples of the Sd.Kfz.7, so there is certainly some overlapping of coverage. The main difference between the two is the inclusion of scale line drawings as well as some archival images in this latest title from Model Art. In addition, the Model Art book includes detailed text describing the vehicles development, construction, physical attributes and the separate weapons systems sometimes mounted on it.


The text is divided into several segments following the customary introduction. These include: The Upper Body, The Engine, The Crew Compartment, External Stowage and Fittings, 2cm Flakvierling 38, 3.7cm FlaK 36 and 43, The Chassis, The Drive Train, The Front Wheels and Suspension and the Tracks and Suspension. The author then provides a Conclusion to tie everything together. While quite informative in many respects, the text suffers from far too many typographic and grammatical errors, which is surprising since the authors first language is certainly English. Furthermore the authors propensity for overly-long run-on sentences combined with the previously-mentioned errors makes reading through the text somewhat adventurous! In addition, some statements MAY be questionable (in particular the specifications for the 3.7cm FlaK36 vs. the 3.7cm FlaK43), but as no bibliography is given, nor are sources specifically identified, this reviewer is left scratching his head.

Almost three dozen archival images are included, which correctly identify the chassis types as either KMm 8, KMm 9/10 or KMm 11. But thats as far as these captions go, which is a shame since the author missed an opportunity to identify various detail differences between types. The core of the book is certainly the collection of photographs depicting an Sd.Kfz.7, an Sd.Kfz.7/1 and an Sd.Kfz.7/2. The former is in a private collection, while both of the latter are found in museums; none of the owners or museum locations are listed, which may frustrate the individual who may seek to see them up close.

The quality of the color images is outstanding. They are well-composed, in focus and properly-exposed; reproduction is also extremely well-done. Captions are excessively minimal, which may again leave the less-knowledgeable reader wondering what is being viewed. Nearly every nook and cranny of the vehicle is covered and this will be where the seriously-afflicted modeler will really find loads of visual inspiration.

Mr. Cances 1/35th-scale line drawings are well-presented. Two types are covered: the standard Sd.Kfz.7 artillery tractor and the Sd.Kfz.7/1 w/2cm Flakvierling 38 and armored cab. The tractor drawings are split between page one and page 86, making it more difficult for a reader to understand what is depicted; the 7/1 drawings are on facing pages, so they do not suffer from this shortcoming. Really, the layout of such things is a function of the books designer, not the author of the artist. But someone should have spotted this early on.

In the final analysis, this book will prove to be an outstanding resource for modelers, whether they build either of the new Trumpeter and DML kits, or the old Tamiya kits.


Recommended.


Model Art books are available in North America from DragonUSA at: www.DragonUSAonline.com.


Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been writing books for Concord Publications, a division of DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.


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