Through The Lens Vol. 5

This latest edition of the TTL series is an excellent photo resource for modelers and history buffs. As in previous volumes, the book entirely consists of large format photographs (11 x 6.5 inches) with accompanying captions. These images are sourced from a variety of archives and private collectors, and the selected images aren’t commonly available. They are overwhelmingly not combat images, though a good number depict subjects awaiting recovery, and damaged or destroyed vehicles.

The volume is organized by theme or vehicle, with the following included:

Part One – Steyr Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO)

Part Two – Austria 1945

Part Three – Saurer RK-7 (Sd.Kfz. 254)

Part Four – Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 203

Part Five – M10 in French Service

All sections have 20 pages allotted, other than the 40 pages allotted to Austria 1945. While the RSO and RK-7 may be a bit less common than a Tiger, there are kits available for each – and modelers looking for these off-the-beaten track subjects will find the references invaluable.

The captions are illuminating, situating the photo in context and highlighting relevant details. These often include design features that distinguish versions, the position of unit identifiers, and any field modifications. The author combines the date of the photos with German paint directives to identify RLM colors and camo for vehicles in these black and white photos.

The book will be particularly valuable for those modeling the covered subjects, but can be useful for all armor modelers. Naturally, the images serve as great inspiration for dioramas and vignettes. And thanks to the large format, they wonderfully demonstrate tonal variations and weathering patterns – I’ll be referencing this volume repeatedly to improve my finishing!

I highly recommend this volume.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Panzerwrecks for this review sample.

Reviewed by David Morris

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