Strv
103B/C in detailSpecial No.4
František Kořán, Jan Martinee, Jan-Willem de Boer
Wings & Wheels Publications.
Published by RAK, Czech Republic.
ISBN 80-86416-49-6
72 pages all in colour.
Review by Terry Ashley
This latest title from Wings & Wheels Publications is in their Special Series which as well as the manu detailed walk around photos also includes a small section on modelling the featured vehicle which for the volume is the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 B/C "S-Tank".
The book has 72 pages entirely in colour except for a few line drawings to further illustrate the close-up photos with a preserved vehicle from the Belgium Royal Army Museum used for the photos.
Text is entirely in English with a brief introduction over six pages giving a good development and service history along with all round views of the vehicle for overall perspective with a series showing the various elevation modes the suspension can be positioned in.
Pages 7 to 43 are packed with detailed close up photos of every external part of the vehicle possible such as the unique front shell deflection bar in the raised position, the suspension and running gear including close ups of the side mounted fuel cells which are another interesting concept.
Virtually every individual detail on the upper hull has a close-up photo of it's own with most shown from different angles to give a good overall coverage for details such as the crew hatches, weapons stations, engine intakes and exhausts and the rear of the vehicle plus everything in between for a superb photos coverage of the external details. Photo captions are rather minimal with some pics not have captions but the photos in many cases speaking for themselves and the caption on one photo also relates to a number of other photos showing the same detail.
Pages 44 to 57 cover the interior and again there are superb close up shots of the Driver's compartment again with pics from various angles to give good perspective as well as for the Commander's station and fighting compartment showing the many equipment fittings and ammo storage with again many photos devoted to just one item of equipment for excellent details.
Pages 58 to 61 deal with the engine and include a few shots of the engine in place as well as others with the power pack removed from the vehicle sitting on a stand with all round views to show the many details. The photos are complimented with numerous line drawings of the engine components to add further to the photos.
The final 11 have colour photos of the Trumpeter 1:35 and 1:72 S-Tank models of the S-103B and C with some shots of the 1:35 kit during construction plus additional text giving a brief description of the construction..
Conclusion:
This is a superb photo reference of the Strv 103B/C S-Tank with the excellent
close up shots covering just about every detail inside and out and will be
an indispensable reference for anyone interested in this unusual Tank.
Highly recommended 8.5/10.
