Customer Reviews

Jane's Modern Tanks (Collins/Jane's Gems)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though very short, this little book is packed with useful facts about armoured vehicles , though limited only to a single photogaph. It is also a shame that it does not feature some of the more specialized vehicles such as self-propelled guns and engineering vehicles. For more detailed study, readers may invest in the recognition guide also by Jane's which features a wider selection of vehicles.

This is the best portable armor guide that I've ever seen. It really is extremely well done- especially for a book that fits in the palm of your hand. It covers 117 AFV's of all nationalities.

First of all, it is very well organized. It is divided into three main sections: Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, and Armoured personnel carriers. After this it is organized alphabetically by nationality of origin/manufacture. Then the vehicles are arranged by the date they entered service from youngest to oldest. All of this means that you can find what you are looking for fast without mindlessly flipping through the pages.

As for the entries themselves, they are all two page- you get an excellent full-color photo, about a page of text describing the vehicle, its performance, and the countries using it. Then all variants are listed in a table. Finally you get a table of specifications (crew, armament, combat weight (lbs. and kgs.), power-to-weight ratio, hull length, width, height, ground clearance, maximum road speed, range, verticle obstacle, trench crossing, fording, powerpack i.e. engine and transmission.)

Some might think that this guide is obsolete since it was published in 1995. I have not found it to be significantly so- the M1A2 Abrams is here. While the Stryker isn't specifically listed you do have the LAV-25 and LAV 300- infact, listed under Switzerland is the origin of them all, the MOWAG Piranha family of vehicles.

About the only thing in the current U.S. inventory not listed is the Cougar, but then all you really need to know about that thing is that it is an improvised, overweight, overpriced armored car (of the type that should be making bank runs)...

The entire book starts with an interesting, brief history of armor development and tactics from the end of WW2 (from light, medium, and heavy to main battle tank.)

All this and it won't fall apart on you after a little use in the field.

Generally, this is a good start to any search for a platform family. Because it lacks any updates in the last three years or so, it excludes key platforms currently in production. This is especially true if the reader seeks any detailed information on characteristics, performance and production runs of "look-alike" variants. Examples notably absent include the combat engineering variants of older tanks (eg. Samson --version of Scorpion, Nagmashot --version of Centurion,...) and recent platforms (current joint European IFVs and all M1 versions after the M1A1). Otherwise, useful presentation and format, if somewhat small.

This book is a great source when you need to know something quick and fast about any combat vehicles all you have to do is take out this book. The pictures are in color and unbelievably realistic. This book is pocket size which is very convienant when you need a portable source for combat vehicles.If you need to know about combat vehicles this is a perfect book for you.

great book it gives you a very good idea of what a modern armored force is like and it easy to find things in

Each vehicle has 2 pages on it with 1 picture and a fact box. It has more armoured vehicles in it than any other book I have read. A real bargain for $6.40

This book is an excellent piece of reference material, it has not only all current main battle tanks, but also almost all armored cars and APCs in military service. Information is in-depth, though it seems to wander from time to time. Pictures are good, no black and white fuzzy shots, and lots of performance data for the size. That is another thing, although it does not detract from the reading experience, the book is literally tiny, about 3"x5". Once again a great book, solid content, small package, its $6.40, buy the book!