ISAAF Vehicles Afghanistan 2007
|
Title and Publisher: | Mushroom Model Publications Green Series
no. 4103 ISAF VEHICLES AFGHANISTAN 2007 By Dick Taylor |
ISBN: | 978-83-89450-76-0 |
Media and Contents: | Soft cover, A4 format, 96 pages all colour |
Price: | Available by email from Platypus Publications cldkrau@yahoo.com.au or online from Mushroom Model Publications |
Review Type: | FirstRead |
Advantages: | Comprehensive look at ISAF vehicles |
Disadvantages: | No vehicle explored in detail |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended |
FirstRead
ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan was
first set up in 2002. In the summer of 2007, the force is in its
10th iteration, or ISAF X. The main ISAF HQ is a large
multi-national affair, and is based in the centre of Kabul. Of
special note with this book is the fact that the authors fee has
been donated to the RTR Benevolent Fund and to BLESMA, the British
Ex-Serviceman’s Association.
Now let me cut to the chase. If modern soft-skin & armoured wheeled
vehicles is your thing then buy this book. In it you will find a
smorgasbord of all the latest wheeled vehicles used by the armed
forces of the world. No less the 20 different countries involved
with “the coalition of the willing” are represented here with large,
sharp and well-composed photographs.
The book’s layout is very simple. First we have an introduction
which explains what the ISAF is, and how it operates. Also outlined
are troop numbers by country. After this we have 2 main parts. Part
1 outlines the different vehicle types (18 in all), and the second
part is a national summary. Basically, who uses what.
From a modelling viewpoint, this book is pure gold. Most of the
vehicles outlined have some form of modification applied. We also
see a lot of personal touches applied to the vehicles by the
different crews. Of special note and interest is the myriad of
different style markings applied country by country. The author
explains and interprets the markings very well in the text.
Listed below are just a few of the (more unusual) vehicles
highlighted in the book as an appetiser…
AT105 Saxon
BV 206S
Cougar
RG31
VM90P
Hermelin
Of course the book is also full of the better-known machines like Humvee’s, Landrover’s and Cobra’s. There really is a fantastic variety on show.
Most of the pictures were taken on various bases throughout
Afghanistan, so what we see are vehicles either about to leave on a
mission or patrol, or just returning. This is a good mix as the
machines exhibit the relative clean of the base prior to leaving and
the nicely weathered appearance on return. All great reference for
the modeller.
Conclusion
Mushroom Publications “ISAF Vehicles Afghanistan 2007” is a
superb reference work by Dick Taylor. It’s a great book to
flick-through and contains modelling inspiration on every page.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to
Ley from Platypus Publications for the review copy.
Text by Adam O'Brien
Page Created 09 December, 2007
Page Last Updated
08 December, 2007