Osprey Roundup

By John Prigent

First, I must apologise that last month’s Roundup was absent due to circumstances beyond my control. The October Osprey reviews are included in this Roundup.

Fortress 38,
American Civil War Fortifications (2) Land and field fortifications, by Ron Field, illustrated by Peter Dennis, ISBN 1-84176-883-9,64 pages

After the first volume on the stone and brick coastal forts we now move to the inland fortifications of the Eastern and Western campaigns. Future volumes will deal with those of the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, the Gulf coast and the Atlantic coast. Here we're looking at the earth and log fortifications, from quick field barricades to full-scale forts and siege emplacements. First is a description of fortification design before the war, with notes on the principal engineers. Then comes a very useful chapter giving descriptions of all the types of field fortification, so here you can look to find out for instance what a 'tenaille' or a 'redan' was. Very handy if you're reading a history and wondering what on earth the author is talking about when he says that such-and-such a fortification was being attacked or defended, and not restricted to the ACW but also valuable for anyone reading up on the Crimean War. The next chapter deals with the war in the east up to 1864, looking at the fortifications everywhere from Washington to Richmond and Williamsburg and also describing how they were attacked and defended. Then comes a similar chapter on the fortifications of the western campaign, followed by one on those in the east of 1864 and 1865. These are capped by a very detailed chapter on the fortifications of Petersburg, not only describing them but dealing with life in their forts and batteries, on the picket lines and in their trenches. The book ends with a chapter on the eventual fates of the fortifications, complete with a guide to visiting those that still survive. This is an excellent reference to mid-19th century field fortification techniques, as well as a fascinating account of the fighting in and around the various sites. Period illustrations have been chosen to complement the text and there are modern colour photographs of some surviving sites, all backed up by very good plates, birds-eye views, cutaways, and maps. Highly recommended!

Campaign 159,
Berlin 1945, End of the Thousand Year Reich, by Peter Antill, illustrated by Peter Dennis, ISBN 1-84176-915-0, 96 pages

This is a very good history of the fall of Berlin, from the approach battles on Seelow Heights to the Soviet envelopment of the city and the final fighting within it. There's plenty of detail at major unit level, but it's aimed at the general reader so doesn't go into the minutiae of individual infantry and tank actions - that would demand a very much longer book. The photographs are mostly well known but they and the plates give plenty of images of soldiers, tanks and Berlin street scenes that will be useful for anyone planning a diorama or even a small scenic base. Anyone interested in the end of World War 2 in Europe will find this a good book to read, it does its job as a brief history very well indeed. Recommended.

Fortress 31,
Rome’s Northern Frontier AD 70-235, Beyond Hadrian's Wall, by Nic Fields, illustrated by Donato Spedaliere, ISBN 1-84176-832-4, 64 pages

This book is fascinating. Mr Fields examines the Agricolan campaigns into Scotland and their associated forts, as well as at the Antonine expansion and the famous Wall with its own forts. He also examines the consequences of the withdrawals following both of these Roman expansions into Scotland. All this is accompanied by a detailed examination of the border fortifications and separate forts, how they were built and how they were garrisoned and defended. Roman occupation went much further north than is commonly thought, with Roman sites well beyond the Wall. The text is very good and there are plenty of photographs, many in colour, excellent colour plates reconstructing the appearance of several sites, and clear maps. This is a "must buy" for anyone planning to visit the area as well as for those interested in Roman or Scottish history or in the Roman army. Highly recommended!

Osprey Modelling 23,
Modelling Waffen-SS Figures, by Calvin Tan, , ISBN 1-84176-837-5, 80 pages

Many modellers have problems in painting the complex Waffen-SS camouflage uniforms, and Calvin Tan has provided four examples here with copious tips on how to paint them as well as on modifying and detailing commercial model figures. First he gives notes on using acrylic paints and on the techniques to use for camouflage uniforms in general. Then he takes the reader through all the steps in modifying a Hornet white metal figure to the exact configuration wanted, adding accessories from other makers and improving them too. Next comes a demonstration of how to paint the face, followed by one of painting the "plane tree" camouflage pattern on the figure's uniform smock. He tops this off with a clear diagram of the pattern and recommended mixes of Vallejo paints for each colour needed, and finishes by showing how to build a scenic base. Similar treatment is given to figures wearing "dot pattern", "oakleaf autumn pattern ", "oakleaf spring pattern", and "Italian camouflage cloth". This is a superb reference to painting these patterns and also includes many hints on modifying commercial figures, creating scenic bases, and even on scratchbuilding figures. Very highly recommended.

New Vanguard 114,
US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1922-45, Prewar Classes, by Mark Stille, illustrated by Tony Bryan, ISBN 1-84176-890-1, 48 pages

This is a splendid short guide to the US Navy's first carriers. It begins with an overview of the genesis of naval aviation in 1910 and looks at pre-WW2 carrier doctrine, air group organisation, the aircraft themselves and the carriers' onboard weapons and radar. Then attention turns to the actual ships, from CV-1 Ranger (converted from a collier but seeing active service in the Pacific until sunk in 1942) to CV-7 Wasp, and all those in between including Lexington, Saratoga and Enterprise as well as the replacement Ranger, CV-4. Each of them is described quite fully from design and construction to armament, modifications during service, and operational history. Excellently done, this is what lovers of naval history want and the photographs and colour plates show a variety of camouflage schemes that will help modellers. Recommended.

Osprey Modelling 26,
Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV, by Tom Cockle, ISBN 1-84176-865-0, 80 pages

Tom Cockle knows a great deal about the early Pz IVs and here he gives us a great guide to modelling them. If your first thought is "why bother, there are kits now", think again. Even the kits that are available (not for all of the subjects covered) will benefit greatly from the extra details set out here.

As usual with this series, the book begins with a brief rundown on the vehicles included followed by a section on tools and techniques. Then comes the first build, an Ausf F at Intermediate level based on the Tamiya Ausf H with the MIG Productions conversion set, Model Kasten tracks, Aber etch and several other aftermarket accessories. A host of modelling tips and detailing ideas are given, so anyone who's ready to go a bit beyond just using a conversion set will find it an ideal guide to modelling this tank. The second build is an Ausf C at Advanced level, and combines parts from Tamiya's Ausf D and Wirbelwind with the Tiger Model Designs Ausf F1 backdate set, Aber etch and Model Kasten tracks plus, again, various small aftermarket items. This makes it a fairly major conversion job, but within the capabilities of experienced modellers and of course ideal as a guide to superdetailing (and maybe correcting) the forthcoming Tristar Ausf C. Next is an Ausf A, and the same two Tamiya kits and other sets are combined with scratchbuilding to make it a Master level job. The scratchbuilding is essential because the Ausf A had a wider superstructure than other Pz IVs, and even the turret is substantially reworked. The final build is the famous Neubaufahrzeug from an Armo multimedia kit with Friuli tracks and a few spares from other kits and accessories. Some modifications are made for greater accuracy, and like the other builds everything is described and shown in clear photographs. All the models include details of colour scheme application and weathering methods as well as a fully described scenic base. There are also two Gallery items, an Ausf D and an Ausf E, described less fully but with enough to guide anyone wanting to do similar work. These show a great detail of added detail that will be useful for anyone building the expected new kits. Finally there are a useful list of reference books, magazine articles and websites, notes on the locations of the three surviving early Pz IVs, and a good list of kits and accessories followed by a colour chip chart. This is a very valuable guide to modelling the early Panzer IVs and the NbFz. It points out a mass of specific features that kit manufacturers may overlook or simplify so will be a great guide to superdetailing the new kits quite apart from enabling readers to build those that don’t exist as kits. Highly recommended.

Osprey Modelling 24,
Modelling the F4U Corsair, by Brett Green, ISBN 1-84176-880-4, 80 pages

Here we have a very good introduction to modelling the “Bent-wing Bird”. Mr Green begins with a short introduction to its development history, and a list of variants that takes up two pages all by itself, then discusses the kits available in all scales with their plus and minus points and a list of those available when the book was written. Next are four pages of reference photographs of preserved examples, including some very handy shots of engine details. The first model is at Master level, backdating the Trumpeter 1/32 scale F4U-1D to an F4U-1 with several resin conversion and accessory sets and a good deal of scratchbuilding to provide missing details and improve what’s in the kit. Then there's a 1/72 scale build of the Tamiya F4U-1A, at Intermediate level and using only basic accessories to make small improvements. This is a great chapter for those wanting to know how to start improving their models, giving just the information they need. The next model is at Advanced level and converts the Hobbycraft FG-1D to a Fleet Air Arm Corsair Mk II, and then there’s an El Salvadorian FG-1D, again at Advanced level and using aftermarket parts to add or improve the details of Tamiya’s 1/48 scale F4U-1A. The next build is also at Advanced level, building a Korean War close support F4U-4 by converting Tamiya's 1/48 F4U-1D with a multimedia conversion set from CMK and several other aftermarket sets and accessories. Going back to Intermediate level the next model is a simple upgrade of the High Planes' 1/72 scale F4U-5 or 5N kit to improve its details. The final chapter has been contributed by Steve Palfrey and is again at Intermediate level though in 1/48 scale this time, improving Hasegawa's F4U-7 with a few tweaks using simple methods plus a set of aftermarket wheels. Each chapter includes painting notes and in every case the most appropriate aftermarket sets and decals are listed, so following the steps described will be simple. All photographs are in colour and there's a list at the end of good reference books and useful websites. A great handbook for Corsair modellers, and highly recommended.

Fortress 37,
D-Day Fortifications in Normandy, by Steven J Zaloga, illustrated by Hugh Johnson, ISBN 1-84176-876-6, 64 pages

Here Steve Zaloga provides us with a splendid guide to all of the German fortifications of the D-Day beaches, from anti-landing craft beach defences and concrete pillboxes and gun emplacements to field fortifications and trenches. He begins with the history of German coastal fortifications, originally the Navy's responsibility but largely taken over as an Army job during World War 2. The Navy's intention was to defend harbours, not whole shorelines, hence the Army involvement when over 1,000 kilometers of coast had to be defended. Then comes a detailed look at the various types: mines and other beach defences, barbed wire entanglements, open gun pits, concrete-covered observation points and gun emplacements of all sizes from machine gun "Tobruks" to heavy artillery sites, and even Luftwaffe radar and fighter control stations. How the positions were manned is dealt with too. Then the actual D-Day attacks on them are considered, first the effects of the pre-landing naval gunfire and then, beach by beach, the defensive effect of each strongpoint and the attack on it. A chapter on the aftermath follows, analysing the defences' effectiveness and including the German view on why they failed to stop the landings. Finally there's a look at the sites today mentioning those worth visiting, and a list of suggested further reading for those wanting even more detail. The book is profusely illustrated with wartime photographs and plans, modern shots of interesting sites, maps, and excellent colour plates of various types of strong point including cutaways of several interior layouts. This is an essential reference for anyone modelling D-Day scenes. Beach obstacles, Tobruks and other emplacements are available for diorama builders, but how they were emplaced and used are important factors for the authenticity of a scenic base. Highly recommended!