Achtung Panzer Book Series

hey deaf......for my next build I'm thinking about a 1/48 Panzer III..I got the interior detail set from Verlinden but since I am not that familiar with tanks...last tank I built was a Stug III w/ paratroopers waaaayyy back when,... I would sure appreciate some interior and reference photos of a III...think you could help out a newbie to tanks???

Thanks

Carlos

Do those books have line drawings or just photos?

Eric,

The AP series is dominated by line drawings but also features photos (usually of surviving museum pieces) but only a small number of combat/usage photos. They are a great resource to go to for handy info as even though much of the text is in Japanese, the important stuff has been translated into English as well. Highly recommended IMHO.

Andy, very good question..no idea why there isn't an AP #1. The mind boggles at the possible explanations!

Carlos-  I don't think FSM would allow this... copyright issues.  I can always scan a copy and email you directly if you can PM me.

Eric-  Both!   It has more drawings than most reference books I have seen so far.  For discussion purpose only I am posting a snapshot of a page from Achtung Panzer   Be warned... it is published mostly in Japanese with some English subtitles! 

Closer shot... you can see both language.

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There's about 8-12 pages per variant.  So far I see 4-6 pages worth of line drawings and 4-6 pages of b/w pictures taken during WWII or even more depending on its popularity.  Of course there's color walk around pictures at the end of the book for some variants too. 

Hope this helps...

Bill,

Our response were posted simultaneously.  I was hoping you'd answer my question.  Jeez, for the first time you are not able to answer my question since the day I joined the forums three years ago.  Now I am deeply concerned...   Only kidding buddy! 

Let's hope somebody knows... if not,  then that's a little assignment we can give Aaron Skinner to check it out for us with his connections to the publishers out there. 

To the best of my knowledge ...

The publisher "Dai Nippon Kaiga" (?) offered first in the earlier 90th of last century the series "Panzers at Saumur", part 1 followed by parts 2 and 3.

Panzers at saumur, part 2 was first published in 1990, the other series "Achtung Panzer",part 2,in 1991. I remember that this might one reason to start with no. 2 ... and if there would ever been a first part, this part wouldn't be printed with English text only in Japanese. Therefore it might never been exported out of Japan.

However, "AP" is a follow-on of "PaS" ...

Thanks Bill and Andy. They look like excellent reference books. Alas, they are pretty spendy, even on ebay.

They are getting tougher to find/locate...but well worth it IMHO. I have them all and they are my most-used "quick check" reference by far.

Eric- Unfortunately yes.  You can find good deals on eBay.  I brought three of the books for only $25 each last week so I was so lucky. They were listed as Buy It Now instead of bidding which surprised me.  Apparently, the seller needed the money quickly. 

Tiger #6 is probably the most desired one so I will take my time with this one.  Also, you can order NEW books directly from HobbyLink Japan at reasonable prices.  A buddy here suggested so I brought two few weeks ago.   HLJ is accepting back orders for book #2,3,4, and 5 now.  I am not sure why they are no back orders for #1 and #6.  I would keep my eyes at this link...  

http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist?Word=achtung+panzer&Dae=All&Series=All&Dis=2

Agree with Bill 100%... hope this helps.

Melchior-  Makes sense. . thanks.  I recall seeing PaS book series earlier when I googled for #1 book.  Are those PaS series book any good? 

I have a copy of Achtung Panzer #1.  It's in a normal A4 size format and covered the Pz IV (which was covered again in issue 3).  Not as nice as issue #3.  Probably a collector's item -- issue 3 is more useful for the modeller.

Thanks Roy!  You got to be kidding me... covering Pz IV just like book #3?  I guess I can just give up looking for that book #1 now and go back to modeling.  

I will buy you a lunch at AMPS show in Auburn if you can bring that book... bet they will be serving delicious hot dogs again.

I may take you up on that offer!  My duties this time around are a lot less so I'll actually be able to participate more as an attendee and less as an organizer this time.  Imagine that!

First of all, thanks to all for informations given, esp. ACHTUNG PANZER #7 ... never heard before ... and for issue no. 1 ! Ok, that make's sense.

Panzers at Saumur shows pictures of details and full tanks, guns etc., also scale drawings concerning those items. However those drawings explain some details or handling of the vehicle.

No. 1 contents: Tiger II, Luchs, Pz IV Zwischenlösung Alkett 75mm Pak 42 L/70, JagdPz IV (late production type9

No. 2 : Panther Ausf. A, jagdpanther, 15cm Panzerwerfer and mounted on Maultier chassis

No. 3 : Hummel, Nashorn, Marder II, Wespe, 75mm Pak 40/1, 88mm Pak 43/1, Marder III, 105mm leFH 18 mounted on chassis Hotchkiss 39H (f) and 75mm pak 40/1 mounted on chassis Lorraine Schlepper

... hopefully this contents may be a little bit helpful.

I remember no.1 it dealt with all panzer IV models but it was published at a time when Tamiya and Italeri were the only kits around. The book done big features on converting and detailing the available kits to the various marks and involved a lot of conversion/scratchbuilding. The big feature was the upgunned Mk. IIV D.

It's a long time since I've seen a copy and issue 1 would be largely obselete these daysa with all the MK.IV's available now.

To finish off I must agree that they are a beautiful set of books and well worth the cost.

Tery.

@ Terry,

indeed ! I agree concerning "ACHTUNG PANZER", very helpful.

Guys, you were right!  I finally found the Achtung Panzer book #1 listed on last page in one of my AP books I think book #3 where it listed other books available from the publisher.  It was about Pz IV series...

Knew I could count on you guys here... thanks!