American Cold War Battle Tank
(6.00)64 pages. 8 pages of color profiles. 34 pages of model showcase and kit listing.
This is volume 22 in the TankCraft series. Each book profiles an armored vehicle, and includes a center section with color photos of built-up plastic scale models. The booklet is illustrated throughout, mostly in color.
A 3½-page Introduction provides a history of American tank development after WWII, leading up to the M48 Patton.
The M48 Patton in Detail chapter (6½ pages) describes the tank, including 24 photos (mostly in color).
The M48 Main Battle Tank Variants chapter (8½ pages) explains the differences between the M48A1, A2, A3, and A5, describes the various cupolas used, and provides an overview of M48 variants in foreign service.
The M48 Patton Specialist Versions chapter (6½ pages) provides information on other vehicles which used the same hull – bridge-carriers, flamethrowers, recovery vehicles, Sergeant York AA vehicle, as well as attachments such as mine rollers and dozer blades.
The M48 Patton In Action chapter (7 pages) summarizes the service and battlefield employment of the M48: in the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Vietnam War, Indo-Pakistan War, and on Cyprus.
The center section is something like a book within a book.
Eight pages of Camouflage and Markings provide front, back, side and top view artwork of a standard M48, standard M48 in Jordanian markings, a South Korean M48, a Marine Corps M48A3-VN in Marine Corps green, an M48A5E1 in MEDRC scheme, a German M48A5G in 3-tone camo, a Turkish M48A5T, and an Israeli M48A5 with ERA on the Golan Heights.
Next comes 18 pages showing the building and painting of four 1:35 scale models, all from the Vietnam War: an M48A3, 34th Armored Regiment, using the kit from Dragon; an M48A2C also in Vietnam, 1968 Tet Offensive, using the old Monogram kit; an M48A3, 69th Armored Regiment, USMC, from the Tamiya kit; and an M48A3, 3rd Tank Battalion, USMC, from the Tamiya kit.
The final eight pages of the center section provide a history of the kits which have been available in 1:35 scales, as well as a listing of aftermarket parts available.
My only complaints are minor: the introduction spends too much space on tank designs prior to the M48, and the page about the Sheridan tank in action seems out of place.
Gamers will find this book a useful reference, painting guide, and inspiration for scenarios. However, specific historical scenarios would require further research.
Reviewed by 
Editor in Chief Bill 
.