Military Model Scene

Title: TankCraft 35, Panzer IV Medium Tank
Author: Dennis Oliver
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39901-804-3

Another addition to the TankCraft series from Pen & Sword, with author Dennis Oliver. This one focuses on the Panzer IV and both the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS units which used it, in Normandy in the summer of 1944. A medium tank, the Pz IV had the distinction of being the one German tank which remained in production throughout WW2. It may not have had the attention paid to it as much as the Tiger or Panther, but it formed the backbone of the German panzer forces. A 64-page soft-cover book in the standard style of this popular series.
The introduction sets the parameters quite neatly, as by this period of the war the main type in use was the Ausf H, though there were a few earlier versions still in use, and the Ausf J was beginning to come off the production lines. The organisation of the panzer units were also going through a period of change, and a mix of old and new company structures are detailed. A helpful map and a chronology of events from 6th June to 30 August follows on. The Pz IV units are then all covered in pages 8 to 16, with the background and service outline for each of the different Wehrmacht & SS regiments, including, for example, Panzer-Abteilung (Funklenk) 302, which operated Borgeward BIV remote control demolition vehicles alongside their Pz IV and Stug IIIs, before it was transferred to the Eastern front. Pages 17-28 cover camouflage & markings thanks to a series of excellent profile artworks, which is common to the TankCraft series. The model showcase section fills pages 27 to 43, with 4 beautiful model builds by different modellers, 2 in 1/35, along with 1 each in 1/72 and 1/48 scales followed by 5 more pages detailing the available modelling products you can find on the market. The final section of the book tackles the technical details and modifications seen on the Pz IV in Normandy, with some nice clear notes and photos to illustrate what features to look for in archive images to help you identify what you see. The final part has a table of unit vehicle allocations and a number of unit organisation charts.
This is another lovely addition to the TankCraft series, which is aimed primarily at armour modellers, along with some useful background history to the tanks and units that took part in the Normandy campaign of 1944, so bound to be popular I think.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin