Military Model Scene

Title:  Camera On 8, Sdkfz 10/4 & 10/5

Author: Alan Ranger

Publisher:  MMP

ISBN:  978-83-65281-85-2

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Number 8 in the Camera On series of books from Alan Ranger and MMP Books. This one looks specifically at two variants of the Sdkfz SP Flak mountings.  The Sdkfz 10/4 mounted the 20mm Flak 30, while the 10/5 carried the 20mm Flak 38.  The later versions of the 10/5 also had a slightly wider platform for the gun mounting.  Both versions were used throughout the war, though towards the end the 20mm guns were too light, and vehicles mounting the larger 37mm Flak were favoured.  Nevertheless, the large number of photos we see in here show just how widely used these 20mm armed weapons were used.  We see them in North Africa, in the Balkans, on the Eastern Front and also a good selection from the early war period in Poland, Belgium and France.

The photos are mostly taken from what were private albums rather than well used propaganda images.  For many of the images therefore the captioning is aided by notes that were found with them in the original albums.  The detail we see will be of interest to the military vehicle historian and enthusiast, while for modellers it is a treasure trove of references.  Just to pick one example, and one I don't remember picking up on before, the number which appear mounting a pair of ramps carried in large brackets mounted across the front like a bumper, and as seen in the cover image.  Some carry the crew rifles in mountings on the front mudguards both uncovered are under an armoured cover while some don't carry the brackets at all.  With these vehicles being made by a number of different manufacturers there were equally differences between their output, so plenty of variation for modellers to pick up on.

This is another fine addition to this Camera On series from Alan Ranger and MMP, and definitely one I'd recommend. 

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Thanks to MMP Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin