Military Model Scene

Title: TankCraft 7, Panzer I and II

Author: Robert Jackson

Publisher: Pen and Sword Books

ISBN: 978-1-52671-124-3

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A new addition to the TankCraft series from Pen and Sword, number 7 in the series.   A soft cover book of 64 pages and it follows the standard format for the series.  Starting with an introduction that gives the background to German tank development in WW1.  That's followed by the story of the development of the Pz I and II during the 1930's; the Pz I variants (including tanks, munition carriers; SP artillery; Flakpanzer; Panzerbefehlswagen and Panzerjager).  This is then repeated for the Panzer II as well, with Development and then variants.  Add a couple of pages looking at details of crew, armament, engine etc we get to the end of the first part of the book.  I should add that plenty of archive photos accompany the text throughout the book.

The next section holds 10 pages of excellent colour profiles, plus some additional detail illustrations.  This presents a mix of colour schemes and associated markings of course, and a good mix of variants of both Pz I and II.  This is followed by a Modellers Showcase where we see some very well finished models.  These include a couple of Pz I Ausf Bs; a Pz I Ausf C; then Pz II Ausf A, Ausf C, Ausf D; Ausf F, finishing with an Ausf J.  A section on Modelling Products gives details of a selection of models in 1/35, 1/72 and 1/100 scale, and includes some illustrations of box arts etc.

The last part of the book tackles the Pz I and II in Combat, filling pages 47 through to 64.  More archive photos accompany the text, which takes us through their use in the Spanish Civil War, the campaigns in Poland, Norway, France, North Africa, the Balkans, Operation Barbarossa and a final little section dealing with North West Europe.  A handy historical reference for these early Panzers and with significant elements clearly aiming this at modellers.

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Thanks to Pen and Sword for this review copy.

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Robin