Military Model Scene

Title: Polish Armoured Trains 1921-1939 Vol 3
Author: Adam Jonca
Publisher: Stratus
ISBN: 978-83-67227-37-7

The 3rd volume in this series on the interesting topic of Polish Armoured Trains in the 1920/30s. A 155-page soft-cover book, in landscape format.
This third volume covers the trains operated by the 2nd Armoured Train Group, Based in the V Corps District, around Krakow, each train was numbered starting with a 5 reflecting that, then numbered in the sequence they were formed. So there is coverage of trains 51 through to 55, each with their basic operational history, along with details of their individual make up, the loco and various types of wagon, both armoured and standard flat and box wagons. A couple of them improved their AA capability thanks to carrying a 40mm Bofors gun on a simple flat wagon. Others carried FT17 and/or TKS tankettes. Having covered the main trains, the last half of the book give us still more with an Annex on various other units, using unidentified draisines and more 'improvised' trains, and rounding things off with the Administrative Supply Trains along with Evacuation trains. There were both armoured and unarmoured locos in use, and in addition to the various armoured Artillery and Assault cars, there were some unarmoured coaches (used as Officers' accommodation}, and unarmoured box vans, coal and flats, plus coal, tanker, and Guard wagons. As well as the history and detail in the text, there are plenty of remarkable archive photos, plus throughout the book, some more of the first class colour artwork illustrations of the various locos, wagons etc..
This third volume completes the set, with these 3 books you get a fantastic insight to the history of the operation of Polish armoured trains. The elements of text, photos and artwork all blend together very nicely. I foresee plenty of modellers looking at these and getting some quite specific inspiration for a new themed collection. The work that the author has put into this set of books is obvious, and I'd say we are very lucky that the publishers have worked to bring us the results of his research, which has clearly been a long term passion for Adam.
Thanks to Casemate UK, distributors for Stratus Publications, for the review copy.

Robin