Military Model Scene

Title: T-34 Shock
Author: Francis Pulham & Will Kerrs
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN: 978-1-78155-646-1

Sub-titled 'The Soviet Legend in Pictures' this is very much a photographic history of the T-34 in its' various guises over the many years it has remained in service. A 544-page hardback, so a hefty tome unless you go for an e-book version.
It starts with an introduction that explains how the authors have gone about assembling the information presented in the book, and acknowledging the help of various groups and individuals over time. An interesting acceptance that as the tank was assembled not only by multiple factories during the war, and many had other things on their mind than bothering to record which parts were fitted to which individual tanks, so there are plenty of gaps in official records. Hence it is largely by the analysis of many photographs that has enabled them to put together this history of the tank. It includes the earlier development of the BT tank series, using the Christie suspension system, and the early prototypes of the A20, A32 and the subsequent A34, leading to the production T34 itself. The early production versions were not without their faults and these examples are well illustrated and explained. It goes on, detailing the various changes to armament, different types of 76mm guns, differing shape and position of external fuel tanks, road-wheels and different style turrets as each factory adapted them to their own production capabilities. In the middle of the book are some pages of nice colour profile artwork. This is followed with work done on the T43 as a replacement, but this was dropped in favour of the up-gunned T-34/85. There are sections on the SU122, SU85 and SU100 plus just a couple of pages referring to the use of T34 turrets on trains and patrol boats. Plenty were captured and used by German forces, and just as other countries did, their were dummies made as well, to mislead the enemy intelligence. After this it goes on to post-war, and tanks produced in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Chinese. All have details of any differences, and how to identify them. As the book comes to a close, along with comments on museum examples and how they may have yet more non-original differences, there are a series of line-drawings which illustrate many different examples. The one pity about these in my mind is that they vary in scale and no actual scale is given on any of them. That's not essential, but it is a shame as I am sure many modellers will be a little disappointed.
Overall this is a fantastic reference book on the T34, covering its' many years of service around the world. A basic tank but as a result easy to make, operate and maintain. Within the book there are 4 examples of combat operations to illustrate what the tank did in such a long history. The large number of photos, many not published before, give a great modellers reference. It isn't cheap, but I think it is a fantastic reference for any modeller of T34 enthusiast to have on your reference shelf.
Thanks to Fonthill Media for our review copy.

Robin