Military Model Scene

Title: Australian G-Wagons
Author: Gordon Arthur
Publisher: Tankograd

This is a Tankograd International Special, number 8010 and covers the Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 4x4 and 6x6 Utility Vehicles in a 64-page soft-cover book. Around the turn of the century, the Australian armed forces had come to the point where they needed to start work on replacing their fleet of Land Rover Perentie utility vehicles. Put out to competitive tender in 2004, Mercedes-Benz secured the contract in 2008, with deliveries starting in 2011. This new book showcases these new vehicles with 142 high quality colour photographs.
The book opens with 5-pages of text, in both German and English languages, which gives us the background and a basic description of each of the 11 variants that are in service. Of these 11, just 3 are on a 4x4 chassis, all the remainder use the 6x6 chassis. The rest of the book goes through each in turn with a selection of high quality colour photos of them, showing not just the detail of the physical arrangements of them but their multi-colour camouflage schemes as well. Among them are both single- and dual-cab variants. To be expected I think are general cargo carriers, along with Command, Reconnaissance, Line Laying, Maintenance, Ambulance and the one I hadn't thought of, a Canine carrier for dog units. Added to these there are both single and twin axles trailers to go with them. All the images have detailed captions which tell us more of the story of these modern G-Wagons.
These G-Wagons, the 6x6 variants in particular, which were designed and built especially for the Australian military orders are tough looking machines, and clearly doing well now they are in service. For those military vehicle enthusiasts whose attention is turned more towards the European armies, these are something a bit different. Not just the detail of the different variants, but the camouflage colours and markings as well. Many carry camouflage netting and a lot have tilt covers that have even more elaborate camouflage colours. I was particularly taken by one picture of a dual cab 6x6 cargo truck and trailer which had both elements festooned in hessian strips, very reminiscent of similar covers used on AFVs in NW Europe during WW2. I imagine plenty of modellers will feel like having a go at a conversion or scratch-building project having seen these.
Thanks to Bookworld Wholesale, UK distributors for Tankograd publications for our review copy.

Robin