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book Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.F
AFV Super Detail Photo Book Vol.7
Published by Model Art Co.Ltd.
3-11,3Chome, Iidabashi Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, 102-0072, Japan

96 pages colour, black & white, colour, soft cover

Review by Terry Ashley


This latest volume in the AFV Super Detail Photo book series from Model Art follows the same formula as before and again covers a recent kit release in the Panzer II Ausf.F from Cyberhobby/Dragon (kit #6263).

The soft cover book has 96 pages with 50/50 Japanese and English text covering the history and development along with extreme close-up walkarounds of four preserved Panzer IIs, the Kabinka Panzer II Ausf.F, the Tank Museum Ausf.F, an Ausf.C from Lenion (Russia) and a Private Collection Ausf.F. Each of the photos has a colour coded border corresponding with the collection it is from, not that it matters that much.

The first 7 pages is almost entirely text with a few wartime B&W photos and covers the development history along with 4 view 1:35 plans of an Ausf.F as well a 7 colour profiles showing examples of the cam schemes carried inside the front and back pages.

The remainder of the book is devoted entirely to the close-up colour walkarounds of the 4 vehicles with each sub-section having a small text description plus the photo captions again in both Japanese and English.

Pages 8 to 14 deals with the front hull with each part having more than one photo taken from different angles for good perspective and while the photos are 5 or 6 per page, each shows just a small detail part to good effect to give more than enough detail. Details shown include the front plate details and tow shackles and the glacis plate with access hatch and spare road wheel brackets.

Pages 15 to 22 have many detailed shots of the fighting compartment showing the front plate and the driver’s visor, the side vision ports, aerial mounting and the hull top bullet splash guards with most details shown from different angles for good overall coverage. There are a couple of pages of text to compliment the photos and this is followed by 3 pages covering the rear hull plate showing the exhaust, smoke grenade launcher box and tow shackles to good effect.

Pages 28 to 48 covers the fenders with detailed shots of each fender from front to back with close-up shots of the many items such as the front head lights and Notec light with the associated wiring as well as the right side aerial trough and the numerous tool clips. The taillights and the fender extension hinges and spring attachments as well as the different storage boxes mounted on both fenders that included the latches and mounting brackets. Again there are 2 pages of text to compliment the many detail photos that explains many of the fender features.

The engine deck and engine is covered in the next 11 pages with again shots from different angles to nicely show the details of the upper deck air outlet covers, intakes and covering grills and many other excellent details. The engine is shown with the access hatches removed as well as few shots showing the engine with the full engine deck removed, but the engine has seen better days and some details are missing.

Pages 61 to 73 covers the Turret exterior with all around shots followed by detailed photos of the front panel with visors and 2cm KwK30 L/55 cannon as well as the top Commander's hatch both open and closed showing good detail as well as the side visors and rear turret bin.

The hull interior is next on pages 74 to 62 with numerous shots showing the Driver's station and fighting compartment interiors with details such as the front brake housings and gearbox, driver's seat and foot pedals as well as the internal visor details and numerous wall fittings. Again some of these parts have seen better days and a few pieces of equipment are missing but what remains gives plenty of useful details.

Pages 82 to 90 in on the turret exterior with more excellent shots of every detail on the turret including the 20mm cannon and mounting as well as the associated gun controls, turret ring traverse gear and inner visor details as well as other smaller details.

Pages 91 to 95 covers the running gear with many superb shots of the drive sprockets, road wheels, return rollers and idlers again taken from different angles to good perspective to the detail. There are also excellent shots of suspension leaf spring housings for anyone wanting to see how they should look in the recent Dragon kit.

Conclusion:
This is another superb detail photo book again aimed directly at the modeller with the many excellent close-up detail shots with just enough text to give important and useful information. The small size of the photos doesn’t seem to matter as many have a shot of an individual detail part allowing many more photos to be included than if they were larger yet still showing all the details you would ever want.

This book has many useful shots of the Panzer II Ausf.F for anyone building the new Dragon kit or any of the other Panzer II kit available today and continues this excellent reference series from Model Art.

Highly recommended 8.5/10

Sample pages
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bookbook

See the Model Art Website for additional details
Thanks to Model Art for the review book.



Page created October 26, 2007