Customer Reviews

Sherman in Action - Armor No. 16

5 star:		(2)
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This is one of the classic titles from Squadron Signal's Armor in Action series, and while it dates from the 1970's, the information is solid, the photo coverage is ample, and there are useful drawings illustrating the M4 Sherman tank's evolution through the war years. While the page count is relatively low, the author manages to pack a surprising amount of good information into the space allotted. The book is laid out in a landscape format, so the photos are large and clearly reproduced. There are also color drawings depicting the camouflage and markings of several vehicles. The target audience here is clearly the scale model builder, though vehicle restorers can find useful information as well, and this is an excellent introduction to the Sherman tank family. For serious students seeking a comprehensive history of the vehicle's development and manufacture, you should seek out R. P. Hunnicutt's massive "Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank."

If you own R.P. Hunnicutt's comprehensive book "Sherman" and Michael Green's M-4, then why in the world do you need this In Action book?

Pro - It's more affordable than either. Hunnicutts'' work does not have much to assist with insignia or colors to help the would be modeler. I found this book very helpful in keeping track of which variant was which - there were so many changes, it is hard to keep up with this - which is important for accuracy when painting or detailing a model.

Con - This has no color interior photos (See Green's book for this)
Note - there are very few photos regarding post WW2 tanks here.

I found this to be a very good, concise reference for me in picking up details of how the crews modified their tanks, added extra armor during WW2. By V - E Day, the tanks were as drab & dirty as their crews. Very good book, published in 1977, stands the test of time well.