Visual History
27 total works
From its introduction in 2007, the International Harvester Navistar MaxxPro evolved to meet the demands of U.S. military personnel in defeating the effects of improvised explosive devices on vehicles in the theaters of operation in Iraq and Afghanistan. By 2015, nearly 9,000 MaxxPro MRAP variants had been in service with 16 nations in addition to the United States. Based on the sturdy and reliable line of International Harvester commercial trucks, the MaxxPro MRAP variants would grow to encompass the M1224; M1224A1; M1234; M1235 and the massive M1249 wrecker. Noted military vehicle experts John Adams-Graf and David Doyle tackle this subject like never before. Tracing the origins of the MaxxPro from its conception in 2006 and throughout its varied career in all combat theaters, this is a Visual History title like no other. Drawing on official documents and Defense Department imagery every facet of the vehicle's development and deployment are covered. Each of the full-page color photographs is more stunning than the next. Arranged chronologically, the coverage depicts Iraq and Afghanistan zones, as well as training areas and finally the redeployment of the MaxxPro family in the hands of Iraqi and Afghani national troops. This coverage is also supplemented with detailed walk around images of the M1224 and M1249 wrecker. All in all, a title not to be missed by the modern vehicle enthusiast and an indispensable reference for anyone owning the Kinetic or Bronco scale model kits.
A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Heavy Tank Transporter 1941-1955 Ampersand Publishing's well-known Visual History Series title on the Dragon Wagon is now back in print and revised! The original title has been reorganized and improved with new introductions, additional detailed text, new photos and an eight-page color section. The revised title is now 120 pages in length and contains over 40 new photos including 13 color images. Coverage includes all aspects of the M25, M26, M15, M15A2 and M15E1. In addition to plentiful action and field photos, interior photos, engine photos, schematics and technical manual images round out this exquisitely detailed visual history. Soft cover. One hundred twenty interior pages composed of 112 black and white pages and 8 pages of color.
Dragon Wagon is the second in a series of titles covering the U.S. Army's Heavy Tank Transporters. The first volume covered the M25/M26 Pacific family of vehicles and trailers during their service in WWII and Korea. Part 2 picks up the story with the successor to the Pacific; the magnificent 10-ton M123 tractor. The unarmored M123 soldiered on through the 1950s and Vietnam while paired with the modernized M15A1 and M15A2 trailers from WWII. It was also paired with the next generation of heavy trailers, the M747. Also covered is the rare and unusual M746 tractor with service pictures of its brief career. Photo coverage includes lavish color shots of the M123 in Vietnam, as well during development and testing.
The Germans developed and used the motorcycle as an instrument of offensive warfare, perhaps more than any other nation in WWII. The major tasks of these units were mopping-up for the following troops and employment as an advance guard, surprise raid-like attacks against an opponent's flanks and rear, as well as pursuit of the opponent. A wide variety of machines were deployed for these tasks, both impressed and adapted civilian models, as well as variety of purpose-built military motorcycles. This distinctive reference combines rare vintage photographs with photos of superbly restored German WWII motorcycles. The first of a multi-part series on the subject, this volume features large, full-color detail photos of the BMW R4; R12; R35; R71; R74 and Zundapp KS750. Only the very finest examples of these motorcycles were sought out for inclusion in this title.
Conceived and engineered by some of America's brightest scientific minds under the auspices of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, whose head reported directly to the President of the United States, the DUKW would become one of the unqualified success stories of the Allied war effort. Produced by General Motors, the DUKW, although initially unwanted by the US Army, was ultimately deemed so critical to the success of the Allied war effort that it was given a higher production priority rating than the atomic bomb. So sound was the design that some examples remain in military service with the Royal Marines into the 21st century, and scores more serve the tourist industry. The highlights of the design, production and deployment of this fascinating vehicle are captured in this 128-page softcover book, chock-full of archival imagery. Whether an armchair historian, automotive engineer, modeler or one of the teeming masses who have taken part in a land to sea to land excursion in one of these vehicles, this 128-page softcover book will bring hours of pleasure.
A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Modern Mobile Anti-Aircraft Platform By David Doyle One hundred pages, soft cover, over 260 black & white and color images. Complete coverage of the M42 "Duster" during its development phase and later during its deployment in Vietnam. Simply stunning color coverage of Vietnam Dusters. Also includes extensive walk around photos. Produced with the cooperation of the National Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Association, a well-known Vietnam veterans organization. Essential for anyone building the AFV Club 1/35th scale kit.
A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Wheeled and Tracked Wreckers 1940-1949 M31/T2 wrecker * M32 wrecker series * M1 wrecker series * C2 aircraft wrecker * Diamond T 4-ton wrecker This 120-page volume contains over 130 photos of the U.S. Army's WW2 wheeled and tracked recovery vehicles; from the M31 and M32 tank retrievers to the Diamond T, Kenworth and Ward LaFrance wreckers, including wartime images and detail shots of contemporary restorations. Also contains technical drawings from the original operator's manual. This title is a completely unique examination of these important vehicles.
For many, the quintessential image of World War II in the Pacific is represented by images of amphibious tractors, or Amtracs, churning toward volcanic islands. These tractors were the result of the genius and perseverance of Donald Roebling. Roebling was descended from a family of engineers and bridge-builders. His great-grandfather, John Roebling connected Manhattan and Brooklyn, which was completed by Donald's grandfather, Washington Roebling. Donald's creation however would span thousands of miles in the Pacific. With a great spirit of patriotism, Roebling granted a royalty-free license to his patents to the government, who contracted with FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) to build improved vehicles known as the LVT-2. This series of amphibious tracked vehicles (Amtracs) were developed from the original tracked amphibious vehicles built by Donald Roebling, known as the LVT-1 or Alligator. Several documents from the earliest days of the LVT-4 project referred to the vehicle as a "Modified LVT-2 with Stern Ramp", before the official designation of Landing Vehicle Tracked Model 4 was assigned. Ultimately, companies such as FMC, Borg-Warner, Graham-Paige and St. Louis Car Company would produce thousands of these Roebling-designed Alligators in a variety of styles. Descendants of these vehicles continue to see service today around the world. This Visual History title showcases the LVT-4 with historical photographs and detailed coverage of one of the world's finest surviving examples. Every detail of the wartime LVT-4 is revealed in over 250 crystal clear photos, the majority in full color. For anyone building the two AFV Club scale model kits, this is an absolutely required reference.
The vehicle that was to become the Type 82 Kubelwagen had its roots in the development of the Volkswagen "People's Car." With war clouds gathering over Europe, the efforts of the Volkswagen facility were turned to the production of military vehicles. In January 1938 work began in earnest on the vehicle that would come to be popularly known as the Kubelwagen. The term Kubelwagen means "bucket car" and was actually applied to a variety of vehicles from a number of makers, but has come to be synonymous with the Volkswagen Type 82. Even under the skilled tutelage of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, two years of work and testing were required before the Kubelwagen took its classic form. It was soon to become as ubiquitous as the U.S. Army's Jeep and was also designed a produced as an amphibious car known as the Schwimmwagen. As always, this Visual History title mixes rare and interesting archival imagery with photos of restored vehicles. Produced with the full and complete cooperation of the Kubel Korps, one of the world's largest Kubelwagen-Schwimmwagen restoration groups, this title presents only the very finest restored examples. Early examples of the Kubelwagen are featured, as is a very rare 1945 model. No detail is left unrevealed, with interiors, multiple engine views and undercarriages. Additionally, the Schwimmwagen is covered in equally great detail.
A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Tracked Artillery Prime Movers. Ampersand Publishing's well-known Visual History Series title on the High Speed Tractor is now back in print and revised! The original title has been improved with new photos and an additional eight pages of material. The revised title is now 120 pages in length and contains 20 new photographs. Coverage includes all aspects of the U.S. Army's tracked artillery prime movers and airfield tugs, the M2, M4, M5, M6 and M8 High Speed Tractors. In addition to plentiful action and field photos; interior photos, engine photos and factory images round out this exquisitely detailed visual history. One hundred twenty black and white interior pages.
A Visual History of the Northrop XB-35 & YB-49 Flying Wings By David Doyle One hundred twenty eight pages, soft cover, over 260 black & white and color images. This highly unique title provides complete coverage of America's mysterious aircraft that pre-dated the B2 Stealth by decades - all told completely in rare period photos. The author was able to obtain access to a veritable treasure-trove of aviation history. Records and photographs from many of the projects original participants were used and are presented here for the very first time.
A Visual History of the Army's Most Versatile Heavy Truck 1941-1950 From Prime Mover to Truck-Tractor One hundred twenty eight pages, soft cover, over 260 black & white and color images. Coverage of the Prime Mover, K-56 Radar Van, Bridge Erector, Crane Carrier, Tanker, Airport Crash Truck and the Truck Tractor in period photos. Also includes walk around photos of the Prime Mover, Bridge Erector and Crane Carrier. Just the thing for the Hobbyboss 1/35th scale kits.
Going into WWII, the prevailing strategy of the U.S. command was that enemy tanks were to be dealt with by specialized weapons, aptly named tank destroyers. Early on these were 37mm towed anti-tank guns. These were soon found to be inadequate against enemy armor, and the quest for larger weapons began. After initial efforts that involved adapting trucks to mount antitank weapons, attention turned to utilizing a tank chassis as the basis for an antitank weapon. Eventually it was decided to mount the weapon in an open topped turret on the chassis of the diesel-powered M4A2 Sherman medium tank. When the design was standardized it was as the M10. While the 3-inch weapon of the M10 was superior to that found on earlier tank destroyers, it was still found to be inadequate against the ever-increasing weight of German armor. The British addressed this by rearming some of their M10s with the superb 17-pounder Quick Firing antitank cannon. The U.S., also seeking heavier armament, created a new turret, mounting a 90-mm gun. Beginning in April 1944 the new 90-mm armed tank destroyer, designated M36, entered production. While antitank doctrine changed, rendering all the tank destroyers obsolete post-WWII, many of these vehicles were supplied to other nations, and in fact some survived as combat vehicles into the 21st century. Like previous titles in the series, M36 GMC, tells the complete history of the vehicle in period photos, supplemented with superb color walk around images. No detail is left uncovered in the nearly 200 clear, sharp photos. This title will be an invaluable tool for those possessing the Academy or AFV Club scale model kits.
A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Vietnam-Era Wheeled Escort Platforms Born out of the need for convoy protection during the escalation of combat in 1967, the Vietnam-era gun trucks are some of the most interesting military vehicles fielded during the 20th century. Noted military truck historian David Doyle has created an extensive and vivid portrait of these unique trucks. He begins with a detailed description of the truck platforms and designs, giving the reader a basic primer of the trucks prior to modification. This is followed by a lengthy illustrated description of the many weapons systems used, from small arms to the .50-caliber quad. Coverage of the trucks in action follows and is composed of many never before seen photos, many of which are full page in size and in color. From the lightly armored jeeps to the 5-ton behemoths mounting an entire APC in their beds, all the types are showcased. Gun trucks fielded by transportation, engineer and air defense artillery units are detailed. The book completes its narrative with a comprehensive photo essay of the world's only surviving gun truck now on display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.
A Visual History of the T17E Series Armored Cars in Allied Service 1940-1945 T17E1, T17E2, T17E3, Staghound II and Staghound III. This 128-page volume contains over 220 photographs of the Allies' T17E series armored cars, including factory images, period photos and extensive walk around images of contemporary restorations. Also includes 1:35 scale drawings. A great addition to the collection of anyone building the numerous 1/35th scale kits. Winner of the 2009 War Wheels award for Best Armored Car Reference Material.
Counter to the often seen images of military vehicles pushing their way through mud, the only effective way to operate in deep snow is to stay on top of it and the only way to stay on top is by maintaining a low ground pressure. The U.S. Army tested, and sometimes bought in limited quantities, a number of vehicles whose principle function was to operate over the top of snow; virtually all of these were track-laying vehicles. In some instances the army turned to manufacturers of civilian snow machines and some instances, commercial machines were adapted to military use. In other cases, military programs resulted in the refinement of some designs and creation of totally new ones. Some were from established manufacturers of snow equipment, while others were the work of firms not normally associated with snow vehicles. The later was the case with the Studebaker-developed family of T15 and T24 cargo carriers, which went on to become the M28 and M29 vehicles, popularly known as Weasels. Noted military vehicle historian David Doyle unravels the complex story of these unique vehicles using over 225 wartime and contemporary images. Drawing off rare private archives, Mr. Doyle delves into the development of the early prototypes and concepts. He then illuminates the vehicle's use in WW2 and Korea with dozens of vivid photos. Completing the story are several exquisite restored examples, all of which are shown in full color. A title not to be missed by the U.S. military vehicle enthusiast, or anyone with an interest in unusual automotive designs.