Not-Toys Pub.

Panzer Camouflage Vol 3

Red Army Divisions Camouflage Patterns in WWII

Here is the highly anticipated third book in the Panzer Camouflage series, this one dedicated to Red Army unit camouflage and other related subjects. Previously reviewed titles in this series originating in Estonia were favorably reviewed by AMPS. The originator of this series artist Igor Donchik, hopes to eventually complete 10 total books in this series.

Vital Statistics

Format - hardcover, portrait format

Page Count - 128 pages

Size - 8.5” x 10.5”

Photos - none

Tables / drawings / diagrams - full color artwork throughout, a table, some maps

All text and art captions are in English.

What's between the Covers?

Above - this volume’s table of contents. 

Curiously, Part 5 isn’t labeled above. For enquiring minds, that part concerns itself with the variants of camouflage, and the paint standards used by the Red Army. The author has indexed them in this part. 

The author examines the early stages of camouflage markings placed on Russian armor, the colors used according to terrain found in various regions / military districts of the USSR. Labeled swatches are provided.

It is interesting to note that that in addition to formulating camouflage schemes for various geographic location throughout the USSR, the use of seasonal camouflage was also planned for; such as schemes for Summer, Autumn, Winter, etc. The colors intended to be used for the various camo schemes were clearly called out in the training manuals and directives distributed by Soviet military leadership.

I found the images of camouflaged staff cars quite interesting, although oddly, some staff cars are seen with the camo paint on the glass windows! An oversight I imagine…

Please note - apparently many of the camouflage schemes shown in this book are author interpretations drawn from Soviet military guidebooks, training manuals and other publications. This is noted throughout the book in many instances.

Above - Some specific historical vehicles are shown, with their camouflage schemes and unit or tactical markings clearly shown.

Throughout the book you will see QR codes, such as the one seen in the above image, bottom left side. At first I thought that these QR codes were links to photographic images of what was on the page, but no. They are links to the author’s sales website.

A very complete range of Soviet vehicles are depicted in this volume, along with some artillery. Tanks, trucks, staff cars and a wide range of armored cars are all shown. As seen above a good range of Soviet equipment captured and repurposed by German units is also examined.

Most of the vehicles examined in this book are shown in single aspect view, with occasionally a second aspect added, or a focused look at a specific area on a vehicle, such as the KV-1 turret markings as seen above left side. 

Above - The book contains an “Alternate History” chapter, showing some interesting versions of paint and markings of vehicle which never existed but are still interesting to see.

This volume devotes several pages to an examination of the fighting around the Prokhorovka region, on the southern flank of the titanic tank battle of Kursk in July, 1943. This examination contains a fair amount of descriptive text, maps showing unit location, and camouflage / markings examinations of some of the vehicles involved.

Above - some German markings and colors that were used at the Kursk battle, as well as a table showing tactical markings from three SS Panzer divisions which fought at Kursk. The author drops lots of little additional nuggets of information such as this throughout these books.

This volume closes with some useful full color renderings of the very common 45mm artillery shells, along with a listing of the vehicles that utilized the 45mm gun. QR links to some useful websites (particularly if you read Russian or have a good translation application) are provided on the book’s final page.

Conclusions

This volume provides a very nice look at Russian thoughts and plans for vehicle camouflage during WWII, although in some cases these schemes may perhaps never have been implemented in the field. The author does take care to note which of the presented camo and markings schemes are his interpretations of various Soviet publications.

The wide variety of vehicles shown is a definite plus, and some of the presented schemes are quite striking. This book will spark interest in those seeking to build Soviet WWII era armor, but are tired of endless 4BO green!

This book is very worthy of a place on your Russian armor book shelf.

Highly Recommended

Thanks to David Doyle Books for the review copy

Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS Chicagoland

AMPS 2nd Vice President, Midwest Region

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