72 pages all in colour.
Review by Terry Ashley
Ford GPA 'Seep":
The first 53 pages deals in great detail with the US
Ford GPA being one of only
three Amphibious vehicles used in WWII after the DUKW and German Schwimmwagen.
The detail shown here is simply superb and starts with a few pages of general
all round views of a preserved Seep following by a photo record of the GPA
during the restoration process with many photos of the body minus all suspension
and
fittings to give an excellent view of the structures followed by shots of the
front and rear axles again separate from the vehicle.
Following this are many sequence shots as the vehicle is reassembled showing
many of the sub-assemblies exposed as you would not normally see them such as
the
engine, gearbox and transmission looking from above without the floor panels
fitted
as well as the many body supports and structures.
The engine and gearbox comes next with incredibly detailed shots of the various components such as individual photos of the distributor, belt gear wheels and plumbing to name just a few with the gearbox/transmission covered in equally close-up detail along with the pump, piping and control valves with all the shots again taken before the floor panels are fitted for excellent details.
Next comes a series of external walk around close-up shots of the fully restored vehicle that has individual close-up shots of just about every external feature there is on Seep, how about four separate photos of the tail light to give some idea of the level of detail in the shots.
The undersides don't miss out with shots of the diffs and axles, wheels and rear screw propeller in equally excellent close up.
The interior is next with incredible shots of the dashboard, instruments, driver's controls, seats and floor panels as well as the fuel tank under the rear seat and the insides of the windscreen showing all the hinges and fittings which leaves you wondering how so much detail can actually be in such a small vehicle?
Finally there are several shots of the 30.cal MG and its pedestal mounting sometimes fitted to the GPA with excellent shots of the ammo box and mountings and quite frankly if you want more details of the Seep you will never be satisfied.
GAZ-46 MAV:
The next section has eleven pages on the postwar Russian GAZ-46 MAV which
was inspired by the GPA and there are many detailed walk around shots of the
exterior body fittings, a look into the open engine bay and some detailed
interior photos for a nice coverage of this little known vehicle.
Skoda 973:
Finally there are seven pages on the unusual looking Skoda 973 built
for the Czech Army with general external shots plus some engine bay and interiors
shots
to give a brief but detailed photo essay on this vehicle that will be of interest
if only to show it existed.
This book continues the sensational photo coverage of the subject we have come to expect from Wings and Wheels publications and is everything the modeller would want.
Highly recommended
Thanks to my Credit Card and the usual excellent service from Blast Models for the book.
Page Created 11 April 2005