The latest title from the Nuts & Bolts team is part one of the Pz.Spähwagen series. Although I have other great reference works such as the Panzer Tracts for scale plans and production information, this is still a worthy addition to the library. Since the title’s target group includes modelers, I will state that Tamiya and AFV Club have all released kits of this vehicle in 1/35th scale.
As printed, the book has 200 pages not including the heavier covers which also are used and are bound in a glossy heavy paper. The author is Holger Erdmann but the editor is still Heiner F. Duske , scale plans by John L. Rue, color artwork by Carlos de Diego, and models built by Vinnie Brannigan and Tony Greenland.
The images are a mix of color and gray tones. A total of 316 are provided of which 163 tonal photographs are of the subjects in service (not including the many insets showing details close up), 126 color images of museum items, and the last 27 color photographs of superbly done models.
Text is included which provide a bibliography, some background in the form of chapters. They cover the deployment, Camouflage and markings, Judgment, a short anecdote, surviving vehicles, and models.
It is worth mentioning that the captions are most informative and all text is in dual English/German languages.
The scale plans include the Büssing-NAG GS trail-chassis (3 view), Büssing-NAG GS Chassis (5 view plus 4 perspective drawings), Vs.Kfz. 623 A (first trial vehicle (3 view), Vs.Kfz. 623 (second trial vehicle) (3 view), Sd.Kfz. 231, 1st Series, production batch 1937 (1 view), Sd.Kfz. 231, 1st Series, production batch 1938 (2 view), Sd.Kfz. 231, 2nd Series (5 view and 4 perspective drawings), Sd.Kfz. 232, 1st Series, production batch 1937/38 (5 view), Sd.Kfz. 232, 2nd Series (2 view), Sd.Kfz. 231, 3rd Series (4 view), Sd.Kfz. 232, 3rd Series (3 view plus 4 perspective drawings), and Sd.Kfz. 232, 4th/5th Series (5 view). These are followed by 14 color profiles which include an inset with a photograph of the actual vehicle.
The next section covers variants in museums with 126 color photographs and the book ends with a plastic modeling.
The bottom line is simple, pick up this one as it will be invaluable when tackling either the many 1/35th scale mutations with the multiple detail sets available for each. Of course, many of these subjects have been released in other scales.
I just had the chance to read your review on this book Raúl. Very nice and interesting. Thanks so much for your time and contribution.