by B.T. White

The English firm, Blandford Press, publishes this small (5 1/2"x8", 171pp), hardbound book, illustrated by Jack Wood. This is the third in a series of books by the same author. The others, which I have not seen, cover A.F.Vs of 1900- 1918 and of 1939-41.

Almost half this work (80pp) consists of excellent color illustrations of just about all the important A.F.V.s that saw combat in the period covered, plus some minor types and experimental models. There is also about a page of text for each illustration.

The main drawback is that the pictures and texts on a common subject are not placed together. This is because all the pictures, on slick paper, are together, followed by all the text, on uncoated paper. It's annoying having to flip back and forth. There is also a preface and an introduction giving a broad outline of worldwide A.F.V. development during the period covered; a few scale, cross-section side elevations, an appendix covering camouflage and markings (more on the latter than the former, and that mostly on the Germans and British); and a table of comparative data on the vehicles covered - of the most rudimentary type.

All in all this book is a good introduction or overview of the subject and would be of considerable value to a beginning WWII miniatures wargamer needing to know how to paint his models and some basic information on the myriads of different types of A.F.V.s of the period. It sells in Britain for 12.75. The publisher sent no information about the price in North America or about where to find it on either side of the Atlantic. Look for it at better hobby or book shops.

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