Military Model Scene

Title: Panzer Tracts 9-3 Jagdpanther
Author: Hilary Louis Doyle & Thomas L. Jentz
Publisher: Panzerwrecks
ISBN: 978-1-915969-16-3

A new reprint of Panzer Tracts No 9-3, examining in detail the Pz.Jgr. Panther (8.8cm) (Sd.Kfz.173), the Jagdpanther. A 98-page soft-cover book from Panzerwrecks, the new owners/publishers of this series.
The first thing to mention with this one I think are the superb set of scale drawing which feature in this one, as they occupy 44 of those pages, and present 1/35 scale plans for both the G1 and G2 versions of the Jagdpanther, along with the smaller detail fittings presented in larger 1/10 scale plans, allowing for detail that would not show up as well if you went simply by the 1/35 plans. Created by measuring a number of surviving examples they reflect the many slight differences found through the production cycle of these powerful tank hunters. The text provides for so much more, all taken from original source documentation. There is detail on the development of the basic design, even a list of the evolution of the official name for the vehicle, which lists 18 different terms. Then the story of their Production, hindered by the bombing of the main MIAG factory, with a table listing how many were built each month. This is followed by information on the various changes introduced throughout the production run, including track, pistol ports, the main gun, armour thicknesses and many others. The final section explains the organisation and tactics of the Jagdpanther units, including sections from wartime reports. Throughout the book there are plenty of archive photos, all with helpful captions, and including a couple of the Jagdpanther restored by the Weald Foundation, of a wreck recovered from the ranges at Pirbright.
The drawings will be a major pull for the modellers among us, while the detailed story of the development and service of this powerful tank destroyer. I was also interested to read that one of the best known writers on German armour of WW2, Walter J. Spielberger served in a unit at the end of the war that was equipped with Jagdpanthers. An excellent reference which has been improved still further by the new layout and paper/photo quality of this new reprint. If you are a German armour enthusiast, I suggest this should be a part of your reference bookshelf.
Thanks to Panzerwrecks for the review copy.

Robin