Military Model Scene

Title: How to Kill a Tiger Tank
Author: Craig Moore
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN: 978-1-78155-858-4

The ideal follow-up to the authors previous book on the Panther Tank, now we see a collection of previously unpublished wartime reports on the vulnerabilities of the Tiger I tank, plus some extras. A larger format, soft-cover book of 250 pages.
My interest was grabbed from the very beginning, as the Introduction kicks off with some interesting background to the reports with clarifying the origins of referring to the Pzkpfw VI as the Tiger, along with notes on the reports, including the explanation of use of 'witness cards. It also mentions the first report on the Tiger captured in Tunisia which was reproduced in David Fletcher's well known book, and how because of that, it was not included among these newly found reports. Then there is also an interesting set of notes on the history of post-war Tiger research, done by the likes of Peter Chamberlain, Hilary L Doyle, Walter Spielberger and others. The author then goes on to explain his new research, and how more wartime reports were found among the files of the National Archives, but which hadn't been catalogued under the subject of the Tiger, but which were found initially by chance, leading to others. The 22 chapters then start with the details of the Tiger Development and Production story, and its' Operational Deployment, which explains the organisation of Tiger units. There is an early Soviet intelligence report, as well as early MI10 Intelligence reports, the Armour Code, from the School of Tank Technology, Early Firing Trials from Tunisia, and a pamphlet to advise allied troops on how best to attack both Tiger and Panther tanks. Then there are transcripts of intercepted German radio messages thanks to Enigma, and even how the Newspapers reported on the Tiger at the time. Thanks to further captured examples, particularly one found at Fontenay- le-Pesnel in Normandy, with 4 further Firing Trials reports. These include the effectiveness of various weapons, from the PIAT to anti-tank mines, various gun types, such as the 6 and 17 pounders. Then add some battle reports, track types, even the role of the humble bucket so regularly seen hanging on the rear of the tank. The final part of the book details the surviving examples of the Tiger to be found in museums around the world, plus those assembled from parts and replicas built on another tank chassis for films etc.
All the reports are simply transcribed from the originals, including the detailed results tables and the inclusion of original abbreviations and notes, as well as so many diagrams and original photos that were used to illustrate the originals. Some pictures were too poor quality to be used, even out of focus in some cases apparently, but there are still over 350 illustrations, including some of the modern day museum examples and reproductions. For anyone interested in the history of perhaps the most famous of WW2 tank, I would say this is an absolute must for any modeller and/or Tiger fan.
Thanks to Fonthill Media for our review copy.

Robin