Military Model Scene

Title: Pz Kw VI The Official Wartime Reports
Author: Bruce Oliver Newsome
Publisher: Tank Archives Press
ISBN: 978-1-951171-04-9

Tiger 131 is perhaps the most famous example of the Pz Kw VI from WW2, as it survives today at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. Captured intact in North Africa it was returned to the UK for examination, and this combines the 12 original wartime reports. A 179-page soft-cover book.
In the author's introduction to this new copy of these original reports I learnt that part of the history of the capture of Tiger 131 was a little different to how it had been presented in a number of books over the years, and how that story had been altered. It goes on to include new copies of the original wartime reports, printed on better quality paper than the originals, plus with higher resolution copies of the original images that were used in the first place. The 12 original reports, which are broken down into a wide variety of sub-headings, cover such things as the overall structure of the Tiger in an Initial Report, along with suspension and running gear, electrical and fire fighting equipment, a detailed examination of the engine and its' major parts, the working arrangements of the crew compartment, and of course an examination of the gunnery fittings and gunnery trials. Add plenty of photos and detailed diagrams of even small details, this is a great reference to read through.
With the additional explanations added by the author it builds onto the authenticity of these original reports. It also gives a good idea of how detailed examinations are carried out on examples of new enemy equipment when the first examples are captured intact. The Tiger is possibly the most famous tank to come out of WW2, when so many veterans accounts describe being attacked by Tigers to describe any enemy tank, even when they were actually other, smaller AFVs, such as the Panzer IV. Of all the tanks in museum collections around the world, Tiger 131 at Bovington is possibly the most famous, with visitors from around the world coming to see it. These wartime reports make for fascinating reading, and the detail they contain remains a helpful reference for the museum to this day.s
Thanks to author Bruce for the review copy.

Robin