Modelling US Army Tank Destroyers of World War II (Osprey Modelling) [Paperback]

Steven Zaloga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2004 | Series: Osprey Modelling (Book 13)

Tank destroyers were the US Army's response to blitzkrieg, and were based around the concept of mounting a large anti-tank gun on a light, fast moving vehicle. They served in the Mediterranean, Pacific, and North-West Europe theatres, and were also supplied to other Allied armies. These vehicles form an attractive modelling subject; their open turrets provide plenty of opportunity for detail work, as demonstrated here by the author in clear step-by-step instructions. Packed with tips and techniques from a leading modeller and Allied armour expert, this title covers the M10, M18, M36, and M39, and features modelling projects in 1/35th and 1/72nd scale.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an excellent book. Including a series of projects for modellers of varying abilities is a great decision and the techniques illustrated will serve as a good grounding for all AFV modelling, ensuring the book will remain of value beyond the immediate builds covered." -Rowan Baylis, Armorama (October 2004)

About the Author

Steven J. Zaloga was born in 1952, received his BA in history from Union College, and his MA from Columbia University. He has published numerous books and articles dealing with modern military technology, especially armoured vehicle development. His main area of interest is military affairs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the Second World War, and he has also written extensively on American armoured forces.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841767999
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767994
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #651,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steven Zaloga is a senior analyst for Teal Group Corp., an aerospace consulting firm. His professional specialization is the commercial and technological aspects of the international trade in missiles, precision guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles. He also serves as an adjunct staff member with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank.

Mr. Zaloga has published numerous books and articles on military technology and military history. His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He has been a special correspondent for "Jane's Intelligence Review" and is on the executive board of the "Journal of Slavic Military Studies". From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/director for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series "Firepower" that aired on The Discovery Channel in the US.

Mr. Zaloga was born in 1952 and received his BA in history from Union College, Schenectady, NY. He received an MA in history from Columbia University specializing in modern East European history, and did graduate research and language study at Uniwersitet Jagiellonski in Krakow, Poland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for intermediate and experienced model builders, November 3, 2007

By 

P. Walters (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modelling US Army Tank Destroyers of World War II (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

If you are looking for a step-by-step guide to building and finishing models, then try Modeling Realistic Tanks and Artillery: An Illustrated Guide, or picking up an issue of Fine Scale Modeler. I'm not shilling for Kalmbach Publishing, I simply think much of the material contained within these would appeal more to a novice.

I found much of this book in the Osprey Modeling series to be an excellent overview of US tank destroyers of the period. Mr. Zaloga is a skilled scratch builder, modeler and painter, and many of the techniques he uses are clearly presented in the text, using different kits and scales, in three separate projects of varying degrees of difficulty and scales. Resin after market parts are utilized, as well as various painting techniques (a salt mask was used in one project, for example.) A very useful paint color chip chart is included in the back. A comparison is given on the accuracy of kits available on the market, as well as a brief overview of what kits should be avoided due to inaccuracy and poor fit(very useful information.)

As I stated before, novice builders may become frustrated trying to use photo-etched brass, resin parts, and scratch built appendages for figures. Those looking for an easy step by step should look elsewhere, I found that this book and others in the series gave me many great ideas for my next projects, as well as some great information.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK but not as you would be led to believe, May 5, 2006

By 

Jerry Peacock "Cav Trooper" (SE Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modelling US Army Tank Destroyers of World War II (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

Typical Osprey book.

The book's description alludes to the techniques of modeling.

It's not there.

Makes a good reference book though