Wings and Wheels Publications (WWP) is known for their superb series of photo books. The Czechs are also known for some excellent modelers so it is not surprising that WWP would release some books highlighting the work. This is the second in their series titled Inside and Out, A Modeller’s Guide to Improve Scale Model Kits.

This book showcases Milan Košek’s 1/35th scale wreck collection and uses 277 photos to illustrate a dozen subjects. For each subject, he describes the kit used, any aftermarket plus painting tips. The text is in dual English and Czech and no in progress photos are included. The subjects presented are:

• Sturmtiger
  This particular subject does not describe the base kit used so it may be Tamiya. There are twenty nine photographs and one tiny photo on title page of the completed wreck. Paint call outs a re included and the model, as are all others, is neatly presented on a display base with a label.
• Bergepanzer Hetzer (sic)
  The Bergepanzer 38 shown here uses New Connection’s conversion for the Dragon kit along with Verlinden’s engine set. There are twenty seven photos along with a tiny one on title page. Sadly, no mention is made of the vegetation used in the display.
• Jagdpanther
  Tamiya’s kit with their separately available tracks was used for this piece and is covered in eighteen photos plus another on the rear cover and the tiny one on title page. It is shown in abandoned in a straw field.
• Steyr RSO
  Milan wished to use Italeri’s kit but it was unavailable, so he used the PaK 40 carrying variant along with a resin copy of the standard cabin. To this he added a Real Models engine and Eduard’s PE detail set. There are twenty three photos plus one on the front cover and the tiny one on title page.
• Tiger I
  The old Tamiya kit was used along with Jaguar Burnt Tiger I Road Wheels to produce this model which is illustrated with nineteen photographs and the tiny one on title page.
• Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma (sic)
  Milan’s rendition of Italeri’s kit is shown in two dozen photographs and the tiny one on title page. A resin engine from MMK is used as well as thin metal to replicate the damaged mudguards. I wish some tips on how to work with the metal was included or a source listed to acquire the engine set.
• s.WS.
  A kit which I thought was form Italeri turns out to be a resin kit from H.K. I am certain a lot of work was put into building it and the result is shown in fourteen photos not counting the tiny one on title page. It should be noted that the drop down sides of the platform should have a square deep pattern.
• Marder II
  Using twenty six photographs (with the one on the title page not worth mentioning), Tamiya’s old kit is tackled and displayed. While Verlinden’s Maybach engine was adopted for use, no aftermarket tracks obviously were.
• Panther
  Milan Has taken Tamiya’s old Panther Ausf.A and addend a Verlinden gearbox, Verlinden engine set, Royal Models turret interior, and steel wheels on the last two stations from an unknown source. A lot of coverage is provided with twenty five photographs (and the requisite tiny one on the title page). With the turret shell tipped over, one would expect to see interior details on the roof and commander’s cupola aside from the pin marks.
• Sd.Kfz. 234/4
  Italeri’s kit with the MMK engined is shown with twenty five photos (counting the tiny one on the title page). Unlike the /2 variant shown before with the incorrect tires and no lock detail for all the open hatches, this variant did use the kit provided tires and there is some lock detail. An interesting feature is the zimmerit applied to the model.
• SD.Kfz. 251/9
  There are nineteen photos of Tamiya’s kit provided. No mention is made as to where the engine was procured so it is probably scratch built. No detail on the firewall and no lock detail on the hatches are obvious even though Nuts & Bolts is cited as a reference. Aside form the tiny side view on the title page, one will also not the IR gear for the driver.
• Opel Blitz
  This is Milan’s first wreck based on a real example on Crete. Italeri’s kit is given the wreckage treatment and shown completed in fifteen photos plus the one on the title page.

I do not know if it is the models themselves or the reproduction but I did not like the depiction of the vehicles. Far too much orange was in evidence reminiscent of the powder one’s fingers acquire from eating BBQ flavored potato chips. The models do show an obvious lack of basic details from pin marks and a bare turret interior on the Panther, to a lack of track pin return strike plate on the Tiger I. These are details which the Milan could have added since they are obvious by their absence. Unlike the first book on aircrafts which I loved, I can not recommend this book but I leave it to the readers of this review to see for themselves.

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