Basic Item Information
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Title
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Canadian EROC Buffalo, Cougar & RG-31
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Author, Editor and/or Illustrator
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Rick Saucier & Miloslav Hraban
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Subject
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Canadian Mine Protected Vehicles
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Media
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Soft cover Book
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Number of Pages
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64
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Number/Type of Photos and/or Illustrations
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(155) Color Photographs
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Text Language
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English
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Review Summary
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Review Type
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Full Read
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Basic Positive Features
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Chock Full O’ High Quality Color Detail Photos of the Buffalo, Cougar 6x6 and RG-31.
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Basic Negative Features
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Very limited “basic” information on the highlighted vehicles.
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Overall Rating
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4.3/5.0
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Accuracy of Information Rating
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4.5
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Editing Of Information/ Text Flow Rating
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3.75
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Photo and/or Illustration Quality/Selection Rating
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4.75
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Usefulness as Reference
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4.0
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Quality of Print Medium Rating
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4.5
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Recommendation
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Highly Recommended
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_________________________________________________________________
Detailed Review
Book Content
REAL MODEL (RM), once known only for their modeling kits, conversions and detail sets, just recently jumped into the vehicle reference market. This review is of their second offering in their Modeler Photo Assistant series and is called “Canadian EROC: Buffalo, Cougar & RG-31”. The book is authored by Rick Saucier & Miloslav Hraban (owner of RM) and focuses on the three vehicles listed above serving in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Expedient Route Opening Capability (EROC). This role is similar to those of engineering units from other countries which conduct Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) functions as well as mine detecting/clearing.
Accuracy of Information
The accuracy of the information provided by the authors is excellent. When compared to my personal references on the Buffalo, Cougar 6x6, and RG-31 this book is very accurate. I did not identify any wrong or misleading information contained in this book and there is absolutely no reason for me to believe the information is inaccurate in any way. The main sources I used to check the accuracy of the book (besides my personal collection of vehicle photos) were:
§
“Encyclopedia of Modern US Military Vehicles”
by Carl Schulze (Tankograd Publishing)
§
“MRAP Walkaround Photo Reference CD-ROM: Part I”
by Robert Skipper*
§
“MRAP Walkaround Photo Reference CD-ROM: Part II”
by Robert Skipper*
*
Available directly from Mr. Skipper at robert.skipper1@us.army.mil
Editing of Information/ Text Flow
The text flow (e.g. the writing ability of the authors) and editing of the information provided is good even though there is not much text information presented. However, the information that is provided in the book (photo captions) is sufficient to describe and explain the photos in detail. Keep in mind though that the photos are the main point of this book, so exhaustive text wasn’t meant to be part of the offering. I also found the book easy to read and informative.
Photograph and/or Illustration Quality and Selection
REAL Model and the authors provide 155 color photos on 64 pages. The breakdown in subject matter of the photos is as follows:
·
(20) Canadian Buffalo MPCV
·
(3) US Buffalo MPCV
·
(47) Canadian Cougar 6x6 “EOD” MRAP
·
(80) Canadian RG-31 MRAP
·
(4) Canadian ¾ Ton Trailer (Towed by RG-31)
·
(1) US RG-33 4x4 MRAP
Although there are many photos showing the entire vehicles, a majority of the photos focus on the fine/small details of those vehicles spotlighted. Also, many of the photos highlighted show and discuss what make these vehicles “Canadian” (vs. American). For instance, besides vehicle markings, a couple “Canadian” details are the unique tow straps and “T-Style” Antenna mounts, among other differences as well.
The quality of the photographs is outstanding. The images are of high quality, clear and in vibrant color. Small details can be readily identified when viewing most (if not all) of the photographs.
Finally, the selection of photographs provided by the authors is exceptional in quantity and variation. When possible, they provide photographs of more than one of each vehicle featured in the book so as to show some of the variances in equipment, fittings, and other unique details. They even provide some photos of the US versions of the Buffalo and RG-31 to show how they are different than their Canadian brethren.
The book is presented in a “walk around” type format and focuses on presenting photos of specific vehicles showing many providing fine details which can be easily and clearly recognized by the reader. These types of books are usually marketed to modelers and military vehicle enthusiasts.
The purpose of the book is to show (in fine detail) what Canadian EROC vehicles look like, and to assist modelers in replicating the unique aspects of the Canuck vehicles featured. Hence the name of the RM series, “Modeler Photo Assistant”.
The book succeeds very well in that purpose and is a must for modelers/hard-core enthusiasts of the Canadian Buffalo, Cougar 6x6 and/or RG-31.
However, in my opinion, it would have been a very welcome addition if the authors would have provided some general/basic information for us readers about EROC Operations, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in general and these featured vehicles in particular. I know the authors’ purpose of the book was NOT to create a “vehicle bible” for the Buff/Cougar/RG-31 vehicles, but was to highlight specific details of the Canadian versions of these vehicles. But, some limited information is always helpful to put those vehicles in a greater context.
Quality of Print Medium
This soft cover book is in an 8½”x 11” landscape format and the soft cover media is of a decent quality. The construction of the book facilitates fairly frequent use/reading of the book, but not overt abuse. Obviously, all soft cover books suffer from the fact that they don’t hold up as well as hard cover books.
Conclusion
REAL MODEL, Mr. Saucier and Mr. Hraban have published a great book on an interesting subject. If you are a Canadian military vehicle enthusiast or contemplating building a model of the Canadian Buffalo, Cougar 6x6 or RG-31 (or even American crewed vehicles), the ownership of this book is a definite MUST. Modelers especially will find this book indispensable due to the sheer quantity of great detail photos that will help make an accurate and well detailed model.
If you are looking for a book to learn about or want general information about MRAP and/or Canadian EROC methods, tactics, vehicles, etc then you will need more references besides this book. However, if you are purchasing this book it is probably for the photos. As I’ve said before in this review, the photographs are what make this book well worth purchasing.
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Thanks to REAL MODEL for the Review Sample.