This volume from Wings & Wheels Publications is special. From the slipcover, to the separate sheet with 1/35th scale plans, we know we are in for a treat! Inside, the book has an incredible 739 photos within 215 of the T-72/T-72M/T-72M1/T-72M4 CZ & VT-72B.

The team of photographers, some of which I recognize from Czech magazines, has done an exceptional job of providing the most comprehensive coverage I have seen on the vehicle. The book is hefty, and its price is accordingly high. However, it is definitely worth it and the reader should be very careful about grabbing the book by one of the heavy stock covers as this paperback may tear.

Using the book’s table of contents illustrates the depth of coverage better than my words:

• T-72 Walk Around pp. 3-11
  This is the introduction and we are presented with a potted history, user list, and fifteen photos of the walkaround type. Two of the photos are tonal and not in color but are included to show an early T-72 operated by the Czech Army. The photos of the vehicle in the field are excellent as inspiration for weathering a model.
• T-72 Chassis Details pp. 12-17
  This section has one drawing and twenty four photos illustrating details of the chassis. The few photos of the suspension without tracks illustrate details normally hidden.
• T-72 Front Mudguards pp. 18-19
  Eight photos in this section show the construction of the mudguards and the text provides interesting commentary on a modification done in the filed to prevent mud and debris build up from fouling the tank.
• T-72 Fuel Tanks pp. 20-21
  The fuel tanks are covered in seven photos which illustrate the retaining straps.
• T-72 Toolbexes (sic) pp. 22-25
  The tool boxes are shown in great detail with twenty photos covering even the interiors. Yes, it is spelled toolbexes in the book’s table of contents.
• T-72 Hull Details pp. 26-35
  A series of 47 photos cover the hull in exhaustive detail from the hatches, to the stiffeners, periscope mounts, and a lot is learned of the construction of the vehicle.
• T-72 Headlights pp. 36-39
  Twenty photos cover the running lights, headlights, black out lights, their cages, and wiring..
• T-72 Engine Cowlings pp. 40-45
  The engine deck cowlings are shown in 24 photos with some of the hatches shown open.
• T-72 Hull Details (reviewer’s note – again) pp. 46-51
  This section is actually two as printed on the bottom of each page. There are two pages with nine photos of the exhaust and the rest are for the fuel tank details within eighteen photos. Many of the details, such as the fuel tank mounts and plumbing are well illustrated.
• T-72 Turret Details pp. 52-65
  Using 55 photos, the TPD-K1 laser range finder, Commander’s TKN-3 telescope periscope, hatches, and other details are shown up close.
• T-72 AA Machinegun pp. 66-71
  The ZU-72 anti-aircraft system with the NSVT mounted and dismounted are shown in seven photos with the K 10T collimator covered in eight photos and the AA mount in a dozen photos.
• T-72 Search Lights pp. 72-75
  No detail of the various turret mounted lights is missed in this section of twenty two photographs.
• T-72 Turret Details pp. 76-81
  The OPVT and stowage boxes (plus other details seen around them) are covered in twenty six photographs.
• T-72 Gun Barrel Details pp. 82-85
  Twenty six photos of the barrel shows all the connections, gaskets, drain holes, straps, and other details of the thermal wrap, bore, and cover.
• T-72 School Simulator pp. 86-91
  The training turret is shown in thirteen photos. This would make for an interesting project using plenty of styrene or brass rods.
• T-72 Driver's Compartment Details pp. 92-103
  There are 52 photos covering the driver’s compartment allowing all details seen from the seat, around the seat, even behind the seat to be uncovered.
• T-72 Turret Interior Details pp. 104-105
  Four photos along with detailed text cover the various systems within the turret. The photos give an indication of the claustrophobic conditions as everything seems crammed together tightly.
• Gun Breech Details pp. 106-109
  Seven detailed photos and three TM drawings of the breech leave no exterior detail unseen.
• Gun Loading System pp. 110-113
  The auto-loader is shown with 3 diagrams of the carousel and thirteen detailed shots.
• T-72 Ammunition pp. 114-117
  There is text, four TM drawings, and twenty photos of different rounds and separate charges illustrating the various shapes and markings. Photos of the ammunition in the auto-loader’s carousel are also included.
• Machine gun Details pp. 118-119
  A TM illustration along with six photos detail the co-axial machine gun.
• Gunner's Compartment pp. 120-125
  The gunner’s sight and other details seen from the position within the compartment are revealed using twenty three photos and one TM drawing.
• Commander's Compartment pp. 126-131
  Twenty photos and one TM drawing cover the commander’s area of the turret. This includes his/her hatch and periscope plus everything seen from the commander’s seat.
• T-72M Turret Interior pp. 132-133
  Seven photos of the turret interior show it to be a VERY busy place with plenty of wiring and color notes. Use these photos to compare the M version to the plain T-72 turret interior shown previously.
• T-72 Engine Details pp. 134-139
  There are seventeen photos and two TM drawings of the engine inside the hull. Those with Verlinden’s set will want to look at the plumbing, colors, and details of the compartment, hatches, and radiator.
• T-72 Gearbox Details pp. 140-141
  Eight photos show mechanics reaching the gearbox after removing the large air cleaner. Note that it is labeled as Gerbox on the sides of the pages.
• Field's Gearbox Repair pp. 142-149
  Diorama lovers, this is for you! Thirty two photos of a gearbox being exchanged in the field gives plenty of inspiration and reference to the tools and conditions encountered by the crews. Only the relaxed looking atmosphere reveals the peacetime operation.
• T-72M/M1 Walk Around pp. 150-155
  The T-72M and T-72M1 are shown using nine walk around of the vehicles as encountered during an exercise.
• T-72MK pp. 156-157
  The command version of the T-72M is shown in three overall clear and large photos.
• T-72M/M1 Walk Around pp. 158-177
  Here we return to the T-72M and T-72M1 and are shown thirty eight shots of the Czech M/M1 with photos of various camouflage, plenty of dirt, and one shot of the scraper in the lowered position.
• T-72M/M1 Hull Details pp. 178-179
  Five close up shots of the engine deck to differentiate this variant from the earlier one represented.
• T-72M/M1/M2 Turret Details pp. 180-185
  Using eighteen close-up shots, details of the turret of this modernized T-72 include the stowage boxes both in an out.
• T-72M4CZ Walk Around pp. 186-191
  A ten photo walk around illustrating the vehicle with in depth text explaining the changes made.
• T-72M4CZ Hull Details pp. 192-197
  Twenty two close-ups cover many of the modifications done to the base vehicle such as the reactive armor blocks.
• T-72M4CZ Turret Detail pp. 198-201
  Twenty five photos of the turret showcase the reactive armor blocks, AA ammunition stowage, modified hatches, weapon sights, SDIO sensors and other differences from the previous model.
• VT-72B Walk Around Page 202-207
  The VT-72B section starts off with an eleven photo walkaround. Panzershop makes a conversion of this avariant.
• VT-72B Hull Details Page 208-213
  Fourteen photos show various details of the hull and stowage. Also worthy of noting is the weathering of this vehicle in service with the Czech Army.
• VT-72B Interior Details Page 214-215
  Ten photos on two pages showing enough of the interior for those tackling one for their Panzershop conversion.

This book should be on the shelf of every modern armor fan. Companies such as Dragon and AFV Club who made their names with modern armor should consider this book if releasing a new kit of this important post war tank.

More images can be found on Wings & Wheels web site. The book is available from the North American exclusive distributor; 4+ Publications North America.

User Contributed Notes