This is the first issue of Panzerwrecks that I have actually looked at, and I must say that I was quite impressed. The 8 1/4 x 11 1/2 landscape format is easy to read and provides excellent picture quality. No more pictures squeezed together on one page, most of the pages contain only one photgraph. This issue, number 9 , consists of 96 pages and is the first issue covering the wrecks in Italy.
The total number of photos ( 137...I really didn't count them,that's what it said on the back cover) is divided into 4 seperate chapters which include:
1. On the Road to Pontedera,starting on page 13
2. Pz.Kpfw.III (F1) in focus
3. Taming the Tigers
4. Panther forts at Anzio
The vehicles covered inside are:
Tiger I
Elefant
Panther Ausf.D
Panther Ausf.A
Bergepanther
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G
Sturmpanzer 43
Pz.Jgr. Hornisse
Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L
Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N
Pz.Kpfw.III (Fl)
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G
15cm sIG33 (Sf) auf Pz.38(t) Ausf.H
Grille Pz.Jgr.II für 7.5cm Pak 40/2 (Sd.Kfz.131)
StuG L6 mit 47/32 630(i)
StuG M41 mit 90/53 801(i)
StuG M42 mit 75/34 851(i)
StuG M43 mit 105/25 853(i)
Pz.Kpfw.P40 737(i)
Pz.Sp.Wg.AB41 201(i)
(Sd.Kfz.251) m.Pi.Pz.Wg.
(Sd.Kfz.251/7) le.Fu.Pz.Wg.
(Sd.Kfz.250/3) s.Gr.W.)
(Sd.Kfz.250/7) Sfl.
(Sd.Kfz.10/5) für 2cm Flak kl.Pz.Fu.Wg.
(Sd.Kfz.261) 2cm Flakvierling 38 auf Sfl.
(Sd.Kfz.7/1) 2cm Flakvierling 38 auf MB 4500A
The first 12 pages have photos of a Panther, several Mk IV's including one that is in an empty shell hole and then the following photos show the hole filled with water, a Stug III and a Sd.Kfz 7.
Pages 13-27 show more wrecked Mk IV's,halftracks and 2 AB 41's in German markings
Pages 27-37 have some very nice photos of a Pz.Kpw III (F1) flame thrower. There are some excellent interior shots and great closeups of the fire extinguishers carried on board. There are 4 pages of photos showing the destruction of an Mk III (F1) in an engagement in a smal town during 1943.
Pages 37-63 continue with various photos including an armored cab Mercedes Benz 4500 with a 2cm flakvierling
The rest of the pages include Tigers, Panthers and even a Nashorn in various stages of destruction. My favorite picture in the whole book is on page 79. It shows a Tiger which nose dived into a river bed and is buried 2/3 the length of the turret into the mud..nose first. ( can't imagine how that happened )
If you enjoy modeling Axis subjects this book is definitly a must have for your collection.Even if you build Allied armor you should buy this book. The closeups and details displayed will probably make you a much better modeler. I know that it would definitly help my cause.
Thanks to the authors, Lee Archer and William Auerbach of Panzerwrecks for the review sample
This is a Must Have book!
Reviewed by Ron Damratowski, Amps-Chicagoland