Military Model Scene

Title: Panther Tanks: German Army Panzer Brigades, Western & Eastern Fronts 1944-45
Author: Dennis Oliver
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-52677-159-4

Number 24 in the TankCraft series from Pen & Sword, a book very much for the modeller, and going back to another WW2 subject, the Panther. In this case details of the Panzer Brigades in the last year or so of the war, plus more fine models. A 64-page soft-cover book.
Following a nice clear Introduction it gets straight into the details of the First Generation Panzer Brigades, numbers 101-104, including a structure chart for these units and their basic service history. That is followed by the Second Generation Panzer Brigades, 105-110, again with the revised brigade structure and the service history for each one. Then there is a break, with Camouflage & Markings, featuring 10-pages of fine colour profile artworks, and which includes the British operated Panther, 'Cuckoo'. The Model Showcase has 3 beautifully finished 1/35 Panther models, from 3 different modellers prior to 12-pages of details of various Panther related Model Products, with kits in various scale, plus accessory sets and decals. Then back to the details of the Second Generation Panzer Brigades plus the Third Generation units after another changes to the Brigade structure and Brigades 111 - 113 plus a couple of other individual units. Everything is rounded off with Technical Details and Modifications, mainly to the Ausf G version of the Panther used in the late war period. Throughout the book there are plenty of archive photos to illustrate the story, with equipment on both Eastern and Western Fronts, and all with detailed captions.
Another fine addition to the TankCraft series, and with additional material to earlier books in the series which also feature the Panther. Interesting material for any WW2 armour history enthusiast but also lots of information and inspiration for modellers.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

Robin