Acquisitions - Expanding the PzKfw III Library, Panzer Tracts 3-3

The last copy of Panzer Tracts finally arrived yesterday, coming all the way from Japan. I really paid to much for this but its amazing how quickly the prices jump on the out of print Panzer Tracts. While I had to gulp on the price it was still the cheapest copy out there. It arrived very pristine in a heat sealed bag. Of course the first thing I managed to do was bend a corner on the front cover. This particular book covers the PzKfw III ausf J, L, M and N, of which the L is probably my favorite variant. Its real transition model so there is a lot of different things you can model with it. Loaded with pictures including templates for the spaced armor plates and blow up drawings of a lot of the details. Fabulous book and after paging through it I'm certainly not begrudging the money I spent on it. Looking forward to doing some super detailing on some Plastic Soldier kits!

Acquisitions - Expanding the PzKfw III Library, Panzer Tracts

One of the two remaining Panzer Tracts books on the PzKfw III arrived on Friday. This is 3-4 and features the Panzerbefehlswagen or command tank. I have always been intrigued by this particular vehicle and this is an amazing reference book dedicated to it. I think I can make a more credible version of one of these now. The hardest part is really trying to construct the frame antenna on the back deck. I think I have some ideas now after seeing the detailed drawings. A couple of things that I didn't know; these have their own SdKfz numbers; 266, 267 or 268 depending on the radio sets installed. The chassis used are the D, E & H and the turrets on these were non-operating. The J hull version was equipped with the 50/L42 based on the experiences and requests from troops at the front. And here is were the rumored (at least for me) K version belongs in the sequence. Equipped with a 50/L60 gun, a redesigned turret and a number of  features from the M chassis. A very interesting book and an excellent addition to the PzKfw III reference library.

This one had to come from the UK. I would order these books directly from Panzer Tracts but their website is definitely from the stone age and completely lacks and e-commerce section. You literally have to download the form, check off the books you want and send payment through the mail.

Acquisitions - Expanding the PzKfw III Library

As of late I have had a wild scheme working its way through my head which caused me to pull down all the books in my library on the PzKfw III (SdKfz 141). I was really looking for some drawings detailed enough to take measurements from and not finding what I wanted (and I have 11 books specifically on the Pz III but only two are really useful for drawings; Achtung Panzer #2 and the ancient Squadron Signal book). I have had my eye on the Panzer Tract books for sometime so I decided it was time to make some acquisitions. Turns out my timing is off, badly, and three of the five Panzer Tract books are out of print. Off I went on a swirl trying to find all five of them, which I did manage, although one of them is already commanding pretty high prices (although I don't think anyone is going to pay $700-$800 for these and there are a number for sale at those prices).

I also managed to pick up a few others on a very dangerous trip to the Aberdeen Bookstore. I suggested that visit on Saturday saying that I was sure she would be able to find some books on Eisenhower there that she didn't have (I was correct and our bill for the day went up accordingly).

I have three of the Panzer Tract books in hand now, with two still in the mail. One coming from Japan and the other from the UK, hopefully they will be here shortly.

Here are the new additions:

PzKfw the early variants; A-D

PzKfw the middle variants; E-H

An example of the drawings available in a Panzer Tracts book. The originals are done in 1/24th scale and then shrunk down to 1/35th scale for the books.

PzKfw III Variants, like the flame version

And this is the kind of thing that catches your eye while you are in the the bookstore. This one came with a set of decals, but they are a little different from what I'm used to. They may actually be some kind of peel and stick. Hopefully the book will have some information on them. This book is a real gem though, a whole section of color photographs from Pz IIIs in museums along with extensive scale drawings done in 1/48th scale. If you don't want to pay $100 for Panzer Tracts 3-3 (which covers the J, L & M variants) this would be an excellent alternative.

And a small picture book, also with a set of decals.

So that's five new additions to the PzKfw III library with two more on the way, which will bring the total to 17 or 18 I think.