PMMS

book Pz.Kpfw. 38(t)
Ausf.A-D in detail

Special Museum Line No.38
František Kořán, Vladimir Francev
Wings & Wheels Publications.
Published by RAK, Czech Republic.
ISBN 80-86416-58-5

47 pages all in colour.

Review by Terry Ashley


This latest title form Wings & Wheels Publications covers the Praga LT vz.38 Pz.Kpwfw.38(t) Ausf.A-D with the early curved front Driver’s plate as the most distinctive feature.

The book has 47 pages entirely in colour and covers the Praga LT vz.38 in the Czech Army Technical Museum at Lešany but as with some Museum exhibits it has a mixture of vehicle feature cobbled together to make a completed vehicle which you should watch for when using the images for model reference purposes. Most notable is the rear exhaust from the later Ausf.G as are the idler wheel mounting covers and on each side of the running gear are two larger Hetzer wheels in place of the original smaller 38(t) wheels plus a few smaller fittings such as the small rear taillights, front rear view mirror and the turret co-ax machine gun is missing.

Text is entirely in English with a brief introduction over eight pages along with all round views of the vehicle for overall perspective as well as listing the technical data.

This is followed by the usual excellent close-up photos of the vehicle with 4 pages on the turret exterior, 10 pages on the hull exterior with most photos showing just one part such as a visor flap, tow hook or aerial mount for excellent detail.

The 4 pages on the suspension have close-ups of the wheels (note the larger Hetzer wheels with 16 rim bolts compared to the 32 on the 38(t) road wheels) as well as the idler wheels which have a different style on each side, the drive sprockets and return rollers with a shot of the mounting post as well as details of the track.

This is followed by 12 pages of the engine showing many excellent details as well a the open engine bay doors but again note some fittings and wiring are non-standard but still give good indications of the setup.

The final 8 pages have interior shots of the turret and hull fighting compartment showing the periscopes, gun breech and mounting, hull machine gun and Driver’s station as well as the forward gearbox and transmission.

Conclusion:
Overall another excellent detail reference from Wings & Wheels on the early 38(t) Ausf.A-D but take note of the non standard features for modelling purposed but other than that provides excellent details that will be more than useful when building any of the available models.

Highly recommended.

Sample Pages
bookbook
bookbook

Thanks to František of Wings & Wheels Publications for the review book.



Page Created January 19, 2007

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