|
Sturmgeschutz
III Ausf. G
Walk Around
By
Tom Cockle
Color by Don Greer
& Andrew Probert
Illustrated by Mariano Rosales
Squadron/Signal
Publications
S u m m a r y
|
| Catalogue Number: |
5702 - Armor Walk Around Number 2 |
| ISBN: |
0-89747-434-1 |
| Media: |
Soft cover, landscape format, 80
pages plus covers (incl. 40 pages in full colour). |
| Price: |
US$12.96 from Squadron.com |
| Review Type: |
First Read |
| Advantages: |
Good sequential description of
variants and variations; perfect format for modellers; extravagant
use of colour; packed with 175 images; useful captions; 12 colour side profiles
plus two full-page colour paintings (front and rear covers). |
| Disadvantages: |
Coverage of German wartime vehicles
only; minimal coverage of field modifications. |
| Recommendation: |
Recommended as a handy reference for anyone building a
Sturmgeschutz IIIG |
Reviewed by
Brett Green
Squadron-Signal's Sturmgeschutz IIIG Walkaround is available online from
Squadron.com
More than 9,100 examples of the Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G and the StuH
42, its howitzer-equipped counterpart, were built between October 1942 and
May, 1945.
The Sturmgeschutz III was based on the chassis of the Panzer III. The
new turretless design permitted the installation of a larger main weapon,
heavier armour and a lower profile. The Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G was the
last variant of the line, but many significant design changes were
incorporated between 1942 and 1945. These hard-worked vehicles were used
in the anti-tank and infantry support role.
"Sturmgeschutz IIIG Walkaround" is only the second in
Squadron's Armor Walkaround series. The book contains a comprehensive
photo-essay of the details on surviving Sturmgeschutz IIIGs. The vehicles
are well covered, inside and out. The book is also peppered with
operational photos.
This book follows Squadron's proven Walk Around format. It is packed full of
more than 175 relevant and well captioned photographs. The book is in
landscape layout, with 80 pages between its soft cardboard covers. Inside,
the book presents two pages in black-and-white then two in colour for
the whole 80 pages. The 40 full-colour pages are used to good effect with
many large detail photos and twelve colour profiles. Every page has
between one and four well-captioned photos, plus a smattering of plans and
scrap-view drawings.
The focus of the book is the development of the Sturmgeschutz IIIG as
it was delivered from the factory to German units. Common field variations
such as concrete reinforcement of armour, customised stowage and other
oddities (eg, logs as side armour) are barely touched in this volume. In
addition, although there are a few photos of Finnish museum vehicles, the
unique attributes of the "Sturmi" are not covered.
A half page of text introduces the history of the Sturmgeschutz III,
but the walkaround tells the bulk of the story. Captions are detailed and
helpful. There are a few pages with drawings comparing the superstructure
variations, and I would have liked to have seen similar pages comparing
the lower hull, suspension and armament.. However, in combination with the
drawings, the captions do a good job of describing the major improvements
and modifications over the life of the vehicle.
This book sets out to provide a walkaround outlining the development
and detail of the Sturmgeschutz IIIG, and it succeeds in this task
admirably.
Squadron/Signal's Sturmgeschutz IIIG Walkaround will be a very useful
and compact
reference for anyone planning to build this important German vehicle.
Recommended.
Thanks to Squadron for the review sample.
Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett
Green
This Page Created on 18 February, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003
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