Visual History Series HC
13 total works
A Visual History of the Golden State Battleship BB-44 The very first in a new series of value-priced hard cover horizontal format books on U.S. capital ships in the Second World War. Part of the "Extended" Visual History format, this 168 page book is packed with large, clear images of the USS California. Coverage begins with the laying of her keel in 1916 and continues with the ship's launching, commissioning and outfitting. The title then explores the ship's long history from her days in the "Blue Water Navy" to her sinking at Pearl Harbor using hundreds of detailed photos. Salvaged and refitted, the USS California was back in action at Saipan just 30 months later. The photographic coverage follows the history of the "Prune barge" all though her WWII experience right through to her decommissioning in 1959. The many photos are accompanied by beautifully rendered line drawings and color plates. An essential companion to the Trumpeter plastic kit.
A Visual History of the German Army's Sd.Kfz. 251 Armored Half-tracks The very first in an exciting new series of value-priced hard cover horizontal format books on German armor in the Second World War. Part of the "Extended" Visual History format, this 168 page book is packed with large, clear images of Germany's well-known and most widely-used armored troop transport and weapons platform. Coverage includes the Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf A; Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf B; Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf C; Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf D; Stuka zu Fuss; Sd.Kfz. 251/2; Sd. Kfz. 251/3; Sd.Kfz. 251/6; Sd.Kfz. 251/7; Sd.Kfz. 251/9; Sd. Kfz. 251/9; Sd.Kfz. 251/10; Sd.Kfz. 251/11; Sd.Kfz. 251/16; Sd. Kfz. 251/17; Sd. Kfz. 251/20; Sd. Kfz. 251/21; Sd. Kfz. 251/22; 2cm Flak 38 auf SPW and 7.5cm PaK42 L/70-armed half-track. The ideal reference for anyone building the numerous AFV Club or Dragon Models kits.
The Sturmgeschutz III, or StuG Ausf. G was by far the most widely used variant of the series, with over 8,000 examples produced on chassis based upon that of the famed Panzer III. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Sturmgeschutz IV, which shared a chassis with the Panzer IV. The details of the manufacture and operational use of these two StuG variants fill the 168-page companion to Part 1. Like its sister publication, this book is filled with scores of vintage photos, many never before seen, augmented by expertly written, detailed captions. The hardbound volume begins with a concise textual history of these, the final variants of the Sturmgeschutz family.
Clandestinely developed during the post WWI-era during which Germany was forbidden from developing, producing or owning armored combat vehicles, the Panzer I served as a proof of concept. Manufacturers and engineers became acquainted with the creation of modern fully tracked combat vehicles and soldiers were familiarized with the driving, maintenance, logistics entailed by fielding an armored force. Once war began, not only did these experience prove invaluable, the tanks themselves, armed only with twin machine guns, nevertheless proved formidable weapons against ill-prepared enemies. Spread through 168 hardbound pages, over 200 photos document all variations of this, the cornerstone upon which Germany's famed panzer force was built.
Conceived as an assault weapon to support infantry operations by providing close fire support, the Sturmgeschutz III, or StuG as it is often known, quickly was performing yeoman duty as a tank destroyer. Ultimately the StuG became the most produced armored fighting vehicle, and served on all fronts. Because it was produced in such huge numbers, it is not surprising that there were numerous variations introduced during the StuG's 1940 through 1945 production run. This volume focuses on the early models, or Ausfuehrung, through the F series. Lavishly illustrated with almost 200 scarce, detailed photos, this 168-page volume provides detailed insight into this fascinating vehicle in easy to read English.
The Panzer II was Germany's first cannon-armed tank in the post World War I era. Designed and initially produced under the code name of 100-horsepower Farm Tractor, owing to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, the Panzer II remained in production, and in the field, well after it had been surpassed by better engineered, more heavily armed and armored vehicles, and indeed played a key part in the early victories achieved by the Blitzkrieg. Almost 200 scarce wartime photos, illuminated by detailed captions, fill the 168-pages of this hardbound volume.