Description and scale drawings of German military vehicles and weapons during World War II

Dreaded Threat - The 8.8 cm Flak 18 / 36 / 37 in the Anti-Tank Role. (Panzer Tracts)

Thomas L. Jentz

Panzer_Tracts

Bertha's Big Brother - Karl-Geraet (Panzer Tracts)

Jentz, Thomas L.

A rigid system for development and procurement of weapons systems had been established for the German army long before the Nazi era started in 1933. The troops were to send in requests for advanced weapon designs to their branch inspectorate. Controlled by budgetary constraints, the inspectorate (In 6 for tanks) eliminated crackpot ideas and Xmas wish lists. For worthwhile ideas, In 6 created performance specifications and sent them to the branch ordnance department (Wa Pruef 6 for automotive). Wa Pruef 6 then created a design specification and selected two or three private companies to develop conceptual designs. 1/10-scale drawings and wooden models were created by the companies (such as Krupp, Rheinmetall, Daimler-Benz, and M.A.N.) for Wa Pruef 6. These conceptual designs were then shown to In 6 to determine if they met their needs and to approve the next steps for procuring test Panzers. The system was very well controlled, because In 6 was not allowed to design and Wa Pruef 6 had no money. Therefore, Panzers designed up to 1939 were created as basic workhorses for employment in a wide range of tactical functions. This well-controlled system broke down at the start of the war, when Wa Pruef 6 themselves started creating new designs. Being engineers, they went for the newest high technology engines, semi-automatic transmissions, complex steering units, and torsion bar suspensions - none of which had been proven reliable or were needed to fulfil basic tactical needs. Then, companies like Porsche and Daimler-Benz started their own conceptual designs without guidance from In 6 or Wa Pruef 6. Having encountered British, French, and Russian tanks with thick armor at the start of the war, Germany embarked on an uncontrolled arms race for bigger guns and thicker armor.

PAPER PANZERS: The Unfinished Projects (Panzerkampfwagen, Sturmgeschutz and Jagdpanzer.) (Panzer Tracts, Vol. # 20-1)

This is a 20 volume plus series from German AFV specialist Tom Jentz. The series , when complete, will present more 20 titles on virtually all the armored vehicles used by Germany from 1925-1945. They will provide a developmental history, unique characteristics, major modifications, data sheets and armor specs based solely on original documents and existing vehicles. Scale plans by Hilary Doyle. All are paper, 8 1/2 x 11, and well illustrated with photos & plans. Panzer Tracts No.13 - panzerspahwagen (Armored Cars) featuring four-view accurate 1/35 scale drawings of the Sd. Kfz.234/2 and Sd. Kfz.222 which are not available in any other publication. Another first is new scale drawings of both versions of the rare Sd. Kfz.247 armored command ears- Only data from original records was used in cleaning up the history and statistics of all the armored cars produced for the German Army fn World War U. As is our standard, the photographs in this 60 page Panzer Tracts were selected far clarity of detail and rarity of model including never before published photos of the Sd. Kfz.234 series and Sd. Kfz.247. 2001 paper covers, 8 1/2 x 11, glossy page stock, 60 pages, numerous photos and 1:35 scale plans.

Panzerspahwagen (Armored Cars Sd. Kfz 3 to Sd. Kfz 263) (Panzer Tracts, Vol. 13)

Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten : 15 cm s.I.G. 33 auf Pz.Kpfw. I ( ohne aufbau) to Karl-Geraet ( 54 cm ). (Panzer Tracts, # 10)

Unknown, Author

Krupp's original records were used to create this first accurate history on Pz.Kpfw1 development from its concept in 1930 to series production starting in 1934. It took over 30 years of digging in public and private archives try reveal this true story (free of the errors created by wartime "intelligence analysts"). Careful measurements of surviving Pz.Kpfw.I AusfA and B and original drawings/clear photographs were used in creating 10 sets of extremely accurate four-view scale prints of all production variants, including the Krupp Traktor (drivcr training chassis), the rare Versuchs-Aufbau (trial turrets and superstructures), the unique 20 sheet metal turrets and superstructures (produced for training by Kxupp), and all the differences betwccn the mass-produced 2., 3., 4., 5., and 6.Serie(La.S. (Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A and B) as well as all the backfitted modifications on the Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A and B. This 100 page book is heavily illustrated with 43 scale prints, 72 original drawings, and 8o clear & rare photos. The rest of the Pz.Kpfw.l variants, tactics, combat history, camouflage and markings will be presented in Panzer Tracts No. 1-2. 2002 paper cover, 100 pages, glossy page stock, 8 1/2 x 11.

Panzerkampfwagen 1 ( Kleintraktor to Ausf.B ) (Panzer Tracts, # 1-1)

Thomas Jentz

Here are more fascinating projects that were part of Hitler's secret super weapons program - but were either cancelled or unfinished at the end of the war. Newly discovered info from secret files and original drawings were used to create accurate multiple-view drawings of the VK 9.03 with Luchs turret, Luchs with 5 cm turret, Leopard (little brother of the Panther), Porsche 245, Auto Union Aufklaerer, Panzer-Aufklaerer 38t, Aufklaerer 38D, Sd. Kfz.234 and Sd. Kfz.251with 7.5 cm Aufklaerungs-Kanone L/48, Beobachtungs-Panther with 5 cm Kw.K. L/60, twin 7.5 cm Flak on 18t Zgkw., Krupp's VFWL and Mehrzweckfahrzeug, gigantic 8.8 cm Flak 41 (Sf.), three different twin 3.7 cm/5.5 cm Flak-Panzers, and the previously unknown Kugelblitz on a Pz.38t! In accordance with our high standards, the text and data are based solely on primary sources.. 2002 paper edition, 8 1/2 x 11, glossy page stock, Over 75 scale drawings and 14 rare photos are used to illustrate 24 different weapons systems in this 56 page book.

Paper Panzers - (Recon, Observation, and Anti-Aircraft Tanks) (Panzer Tracts, Vol.# 20-2)

Panzer-Tracts 1-1 revolutionized the understanding of the basic Pz.Kpfw.I. This second volume continues with the in-depth presentation of new facts on the rest of the Pz.Kpfw.I variants, their combat history from Spain to Russia, and accurate information on camouflage colors and markings. Careful detailed measurement of surviving vehicles and original drawings with clear photographs were used to create 14 sets of four-view scale prints very accurately at full scale in CAD. These are printed at 1/24th scale to show small details on the kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. (small command tank), Schulfahrzeuge (driver's training vehicles), LKA and LKB (Krupp's light tanks for export), the VK 6.01 (Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.C) and VK 18.01 (Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.F). 2002 paper covers, 8 1/2 x 11, glossy page stock. This 96 page book is heavily illustrated with 43 scale prints and 99 rare photos, including four pages with markings and camouflage patterns in color. (traceable to the original RAL paint chips and OKH orders)

Panzer Tracts No. 01 - 2 Panzerkampfwagen I - Kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. To VK 18.01

The series , when complete, will present more 20 titles on virtually all the armored vehicles used by Germany from 1925-1945. They will provide a developmental history, unique characteristics, major modifications, data sheets and armor specs based solely on original documents and existing vehicles. Scale plans by Hilary Doyle. Panzerkampfwagen "Panther"Ausf.D with Versuchs-Serie ( Trial Series ) Panther, Fgst.Nr.V2 - we spent hundreds of hours accurately measuring survivors and hundreds of days drawing at full-scale to create as-built drawings for the first tune - accurate to the same tight tolerances demanded of tine original assembly firms, Hundreds of research hours went into finding the numerous previously unnoticed modifications. Many of these newly discovered details would remain "hidden" if printed as 1:35th scale overview drawings. Therefore, we have selected the unique approach of using 1:10th scale drawings to illustrate the smallest details on components; while six-view (including right side and belly) 1135th scale drawings are still used for the complete Panther. We also created "flat-plane" drawings of many components to aid modelers make accurate parts that arc herd to replicate when only drawn at angle. 2003 paper covers, 8 1/2 x 11, 72 page book is heavily illustrated with over 100 scale drawings, 11 original drawings, and 44 clear / rare large-format photos.

Panzerkampfwagen " Panther ' Ausfuehrung D. (Panzer Tracts, Vol. 5-1)

The authors have spent hundreds of hours accurately measuring survivors and hundreds of days drawing at full-scale to create as-built drawings for the first time - accurate to the same tight tolerances demanded of the original assembly firms. Hundreds of research hours went into finding the numerous previously unnoticed modifications. Many of these newly discovered details would remain "hidden" if printed as 1/35th scale overview drawings. Therefore, we have selected the unique approach of using 1/10th scale drawings to illustrate the smallest details on components; while six-view (including right side and belly) 1/35th scale drawings are still used for the complete Panther. They also created "flat-plane" drawings of many components to aid modelers make accurate parts that are hard to replicate when only drawn at angle. 2003,paper covers, 8 1/2 x 11, 68-page book is heavily illustrated with over 200 scale drawings and 38 clear/rare large-format photos.

Panzerkampfwagen "Panther" Ausf.A (Panzer Tracts, # 5-2)

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