I recently received the newest Nuts and Bolts book Bussing’s schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured and unarmoured variants. If you haven’t seen a Nuts and Bolts book you’re missing a lot. Focused on WWII German vehicles these books are the ultimate in detail and information. Volume 41 is no different and as I’ve said before each new book is better than the last. Produced with wartime and museum photographs, drawings, and colour plates they detail the history and technology behind each vehicle.
Volume 41: Büssing’s Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS), armored and unarmored variants by Dr. Nicolaus Hettler
- Published on November 27, 2018.
- Soft Cover
- German & English texts
- 180 Pages
- 268 photos (91 contemporary photos from manuals, 119 colour photos, 58 models)
- 18 camouflage schemes, tactical markings, table of organization (KStN)
The sWS is one vehicle I have to admit I know next to nothing about. I know there are models available but I haven’t seen a lot of pictures with them shown. I always thought they might be what if vehicles. Well, I know better now. This was the third generation of half track and came from Bussing-NAG.
The book starts with the history and technical description of this half track. It covers the development of the armed and unarmed versions followed by their use. I have to say the pictures are of the highest quality and for modelers provide a wide range of ideas for building a vignette or diorama.
Following this, we have some very nicely done line drawings of the various versions. The drawings are very crisp and a good size for observing detail. The next section is all colour plates. Bright and vivid they are well detailed and offer some great ideas for when you build your own version.
The book continues with preserved and museum vehicles. I really appreciate this feature as it helps meld the historical with the now. Unfortunately, you can’t find all the details you want in older pictures, but you can through preserved current vehicles.
Finally, there are the built models. Tony Greenland and Vinnie Branigan again display some fantastic builds.
Nuts and Bolts are some of my favorite reference materials. Every subject is covered meticulously. The format is basically always the same which I really appreciate. It allows finding what you want faster when thumbing through. I can’t find fault with anything in these books and this volume is no different.
It has the history and technical details you want. It has good drawings and fantastic colour plates. No matter if you are a history buff or a modeler it is full of good info for everyone. The book is a glossy soft back and the pages are good heavy quality satin paper.
I highly recommend these books to anyone with an interest in German WWII vehicles. They can be bought right from the source for €29.90 . The Last Cavalry has it for $40.00 U.S while BNA has it for $69.50 AUS.
More info can be found here https://www.nuts-bolts.de/volume-41.html
I would like to thank Nuts and Bolts for my copy.
