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Ben Skipper

From the wars of antiquity to the recent events in South West Asia, landing craft and amphibians have been an ever-present sea borne and battle space asset in one form or another for the commander wanting to get boots on the ground. Refined during the Second World War with the introduction of the Amphibian, and again with the perfection of the hovercraft, the landing craft’s finest hour in popular consciousness occurred on 6 June 1944. This LandCraft title focuses on Landing Craft and Amphibian development during the Second World War as versatile sea borne assets. The book also looks at the post-war evolution of the Landing Craft and Amphibians, and how the simple concepts of their design remain alive and in use almost a century later. This LandCraft title offers the modeler an exciting range of subjects, era and theater choices, especially those modeling the Second World War.

Pen & Sword Military

LandCraft

Landing Craft & Amphibians: Seaborne Vessels in the 20th Century

David Grummitt

8 pages of full color illustrations depicting 14 different vehicles.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle was developed in the 1970s to counter the new Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies. Designed to survive the imagined high-intensity, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) battlefield of the Cold War, it became, alongside the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, the mainstay of US armoured forces during the 1980s. As the Cold War ended, however, it would go on to prove its worth on other battlefields. During the First Gulf War the Bradley would destroy more Iraqi AFVs than the Abrams, while during the 1990s it would prove itself an effective weapons system in the missions to Bosnia and Kosovo. During the 2003 invasion of the Iraq and the fighting that followed it confirmed its reputation as a versatile and deadly AFV. This volumes examines the development and service history of both the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. The various modifications and improvements over its long service history are described, as is the experience of the soldiers who have fought alongside and in it during the past three decades. The book also gives a full account of the wide range of kits and accessories available in all the popular scales and includes a modelling gallery covering the most important Bradley variants. Detailed color profiles provide both reference and inspiration for modellers and military enthusiasts alike.

Bradley Fighting Vehicle: The US Army’s Combat-Proven Fighting Platform, 1981–2021

With its characteristic wide track, low silhouette and its distinctively deep exhaust note the Humvee sets itself apart from the range of light utility trucks it replaced. Fully air-portable, the Humvee features an aluminum body seated on a steel ladder chassis, powered by a 190hp V8 engine. Introduced into service in 1985, the Humvee remained pretty much unnoticed until its baptism of fire during the invasion of Panama in Operation Just Cause. It wasn’t until almost a year later, in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm that the Humvee really came into the public eye. As a result of its newly found fame its manufacturer, American Motors General, started to produce a civilized version for public consumption, with sales and profile boosted by Hollywood patronage. At the same time the Humvee continued to serve in some of the most dangerous US operations undertaken to date. From the streets of Mogadishu to the Balkans, the Humvee developed into a vehicle far removed from its original design intentions. With some 17 variants now in service, from the basic troop carrier to the awesome Avenger Anti-Aircraft system, this Humvee LandCraft title provides the modeler with a rich vein of inspirations and subject. This title looks at the process behind the design and development of the Humvee and how American Motors General were able to fulfill a complex design brief to deliver a single vehicle that was able to replace a host of in-service vehicles. This title will chart how the Humvee grew from a light utility truck into a versatile platform whose modesty hides its potential. With its specially designed track, impressive ground clearance, waterproofed electronics and ability to carry a one ton load, the first Humvees were light years ahead of the vehicles they replaced. With its unique suspension and transmission systems to its unique engine arrangement this 4x4 is capable of feats normally only afforded to tracked vehicles. With some 17 versions in US service the Humvee fulfills its traditional role as cargo and troop carrier as well as special-weapons platform, ambulances, Direct Air Support vehicles and communications shelter vehicles. After 35 years of service the Humvee has changed from soft skinned run-about to a lightly armored force protection asset. Fitted with a larger engine, interchangeable armor, specially designed escape windows and a unique blast chimney, the Humvee’s story is indeed proof that development of military vehicles never stops. For the modeler there is nothing more important than the little things and this image-rich section of LandCrafts’ Humvee title delivers the goods. Filled with crisp images that chart the Humvee’s development, combined with informative accompanying text, forms an enviable visual guide for the enthusiast and modeler alike.

Humvee: American Multi-Purpose Support Truck

This illustrated modeling guide reviews the full range of kits and accessories available to model the Stryker and LAV III in all the major scales.

The Stryker interim combat vehicle was a stop-gap measure, designed to help the United States project its military force in hotspots around the world. First deployed in Iraq in 2003, it has since proved itself an integral part of the US’s warfighting capability. Today the Stryker has been adapted to face the new threat of a resurgent Russia.

This volume in the LandCraft series of modeling guides examines the Stryker and LAV III in US, Canadian and New Zealand service. In addition to describing the design, development, and operational history of the Stryker and LAV III, David Grummitt gives a full account of available modeling kits and accessories. Six builds are featured, covering the most important variants. Detailed color profiles provide both reference and inspiration for modelers and military enthusiasts alike.

Stryker Interim Combat Vehicle: The Stryker and LAV III in US and Canadian Service, 1999–2020

A richly illustrated guide to modeling the military Land Rover, filled with previously unseen inspirational photographs and drawings.

The Land Rover was originally designed to fill a gap in the Rover Car Company’s post-war product portfolio. Initially based on Willy’s-Overlands Jeep, the now-legendary Land Rover was adopted by armed forces across the globe almost immediately. By its sixtieth anniversary in 2008 the Land Rover was serving as a combat vehicle and as a first responder platform.

This unique LandCraft title looks into the Land Rover’s development during the immediate post-war years, to its development and growth as a military vehicle synonymous with versatility. The book charts how the Land Rover evolved into unique military-only variants.

The book also examines how this modest 4x4 grew from an innocuous Cold War cargo vehicle into a weapons platform supporting troops in the deserts of South West Asia. The military Land Rover truly offers the modeler an exciting range of subject, era and theatre choices.

“A welcome addition to the very popular Land Craft Series. Aimed at model makers, this series has become popular with a much wider readership, due to the excellent text describing the subject vehicle and its deployment, including unit structures—Very Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench

“All in all this is a great, compact reference work for modelers heading off on a Land Rover safari. It’s not overwhelming, provides good recommendations and fair assessments of products while presenting fantastic reference material to help the modeler get motivated and also providing enough up close detail to be helpful.” —AMPS

Land Rover: Military Versions of the British 4x4

Robert Jackson

A guide that blends the history behind this British tank with resources for military vehicle modeling enthusiasts.

One of the most versatile fighting vehicles in the British army and many other forces for a quarter of a century, the Universal Carrier—more popularly known by its original title of Bren Gun Carrier—was developed as a fast and agile infantry-support vehicle. In this volume of Pen & Sword’s LandCraft series, Robert Jackson traces its design and manufacturing history and describes its operational role throughout its long career.

The Bren Carrier served in every theater of the Second World War, from northwest Europe, North Africa and the Soviet Union to the Far East. Then, with the war over, it was operated by many belligerents in a string of other conflicts around the world, including Israel’s struggle for independence and the war in Korea.

A selection of archive photographs showing the Bren Carrier in action gives a graphic impression of how adaptable it was and records the variety of equipment it could carry. The book is an excellent source for the modeler, providing details of available kits together with specially commissioned color profiles which illustrate how the Bren Carriers used by different units and armies appeared.

Bren Gun Carrier: Britain's Universal War Machine

A history of these versatile vehicles, with photos and useful information for modelers.

Among the most successful armored vehicles produced by American industry—known as the Arsenal of Democracy—during the Second World War were the M2 and M3 half-tracks. They served on every battlefront and were as recognizable as other famous American wartime vehicles like the Sherman and the Jeep, and around 40,000 were produced between 1941 and 1945.

They were easy to assemble, operate and maintain, and their versatility allowed them to fulfil a variety of purposes. This volume traces the design, development, and manufacturing history of the M2/M3 and describes its operational role within the Allied armies. 

A selection of archive photographs showing the M2/M3 in action gives a graphic impression of how adaptable these vehicles were and records the range of equipment they could carry. The book is also an excellent source for the modeler, providing details of available kits, together with specially commissioned colour profiles demonstrating how the M2/M3 used by different units and armies appeared.

M2/M3: American Half-tracks of the Second World War

Lance Cole

“The Jeep is as iconic a military vehicle as the Chieftain tank, and this terrific book celebrates it in brilliant style … inspiring. ” —Books Monthly

The Second World War Jeep was one of the most famous and influential military vehicles of all time, and over 600,000 were produced. It served with all the Allied forces during the war on every front and it has been the inspiration behind the design of light, versatile, rugged military and civilian vehicles ever since. In this, the first volume in Pen & Sword’s LandCraft series, Lance Cole traces the design, development and manufacturing history of the Jeep and describes its operational role within the Allied armies.

A selection of archive photographs showing the Jeep in service in European and Pacific campaigns gives a graphic impression of how adaptable the Jeep was and records the variety of equipment it could carry. The book is an excellent source for the modeler, providing details of available kits, together with specially commissioned color profiles recording how the Jeeps used by different units and armies appeared.

Lance Cole’s introduction to the Jeep is necessary reading and reference for enthusiasts and modelers.

“If you are a modeler looking for guidance and inspiration then this book is a must have. Its pages are packed full of jeep goodness, giving tips and ideas for your build. It is also a great read, or coffee-time browser, if you are a vehicle enthusiast or simply love Willys/Ford jeeps and merely want to stimulate your brain and satisfy your eyes. ” —The OCAD Collection