Military Model Scene

Title: TankCraft 37, M60 Main Battle Tank
Author: David Grummitt
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39909-645-4

America's Cold War Warrior 1959-1997, and number 37 in the TankCraft series from Pen & Sword is another modern AFV subject, and another written by David Grummitt, editor of Military Modelcarft International magazine. A 64-page soft-cover book in the usual style of these super modellers references.
This one starts with the development story of the M60, from the end of WW2 and the M26, through the M47 and M48 and up to the M60. It started with the M60A0, the new hull, very similar to the earlier M48 and initially, the rounded turret of the late version M48A2, but fitted with the 105mm M68 main gun. Then on through the M60A1, A2 and A3 along with the significant variants of the M60 AVLB bridgelayer and the M728 engineer vehicle. Moving on to Camouflage & Markings, there are 9-pages of first class colour profiles before getting to the model showcase, where we see 7 fine builds, with just 1 in 1/72, the rest all 1/35 kits. The Model Products section covers all the main 1/35 kits, such as those by Tamiya, Dragon, AFV Club and the new ones from Takom, plus the 1/72 kits by ESCI/Italeri and Revell. Add more on various detailing and conversion sets, and alternative decal sets. There is a good assortment on the market. Getting back to the real thing, there are useful things such as the MERDC camouflage pattern guide, notes on the M60 variants in service with the US Army and the US Marines, a series of walk-round pictures and some some notes about their service with Israel and Iraq in the Middle East. A long Cold War service in Europe, plus they were used in action during the Gulf War. Plenty of useful archive photos throughout the book.
Another excellent addition to the series, and up to date with the inclusion of the recent Takom kits. The model showcase includes build by Dave Grummitt himself, along with AFV Club builds from another excellent modeller, David Chou. If you have an interest in the M60 series, this is a good value modellers reference.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin