Local PBS affiliate filming at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation

Last week, the local PBS affiliate, KTEH, visited the MVTF to film a special show for Veteran's Day.  For this show, the Panther and the M551 Sheridan were brought outside.  The Sheridan was driven around with the show's host riding in it.  While not driven, the Panther was displayed in the museum courtyard.  Besides the Panther and Sheridan, the M4A1 Sherman and Kettenkrad were also featured in the filming.  The episode is due to air in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wed, 10NOV10 @ 7pm.  Here's a link to the show's blog:  "This is US" MVTF episode

Below are some pics of the Panther and M551.

New additions to the library

During the past 6-8 weeks, I've managed to obtain some new additions for my reference library, including 3 books from Osprey, a new Squadron Walk Around, the latest Allied-Axis and a large hard cover.

First up is Spanish Civil War Tanks is the latest New Vanguard title from Steven Zaloga.  It provides a good background on armored vehicles and their operations during the Spanish Civil War. I think it's a good place to start for anyone interested in this conflict.  I purchased this book at Amazon.



Maginot Line 1940 by Marc Romanych and Martin Rupp is #218 in the Osprey Campaign series.  I found the book to be very interesting as it explained many details about the Maginot Line that I was unaware of including the types of armament used by the fortifications and the battles that took place around them.  As a result of reading this book, I'm going to be looking for more English language publications about the Maginot Line.  This book was purchased at my local hobby shop.

Although I am primarily an armor modeller with some aircraft work, I do have an interest in naval warfare.  I bought Osprey's New Vanguard 145, British Submarines of World War I by Innes McCartney on a complete whim about 5 weeks ago.  This book is my first experience reading anything about British submarine warfare, WW I or otherwise.  I quite enjoyed the book and was completely amazed by how primative these boats were.  I'm used to reading about WW II sub warfare and compared to the WW I boats, the later pig-boats were luxury liners!  This is an enjoyable book so now I'll have to pick up more of the WW I stuff from Osprey.



Allied-Axis 25 is a quarterly photo journal published by Ampersand Publishing.  The usual format features several photo essays on various pieces of World War II equipment.  The photo essays consist of wartime and if available, preserved examples of the subject vehicle/equipment.  Issue 25 is no different.  Included are articles on the M19 40mm GMC, Panther Ausf. A, Ford Bomb Truck, GE 60" searchlight, SdKfz 222 armored car, and Ford Fordor Staff Car.  David Doyle is the primary editor and writer of the articles in this issue.  And just to keep things open here, I do have a personal stake in this one as I wrote the article on the Panther Ausf. A.  My thanks to David for my sample of this issue.

The latest Walk Around from Squadron is Valentine Tank Walk Around by David Doyle.  This 88 page book follows the latest Squadron Walk Around format.  With the exception of half a dozen b&w wartime photos, all pictures are in color.  Several line drawings and color plates are also included.  About half of the photos are of a Mk III preserved in Virginia.  The rest of the coverage includes a Mk VI in Canada and a Mk IX in the U.K.  Also included are 5 photos of a DD tank preserved in the U.K.  The timing of this book is perfect in light of the new Valentine kits that have just been released.  Thanks again to David for my sample copy.

 Last but not least, Patton's Third Army in World War II by Michael Green & James D. Brown is a real nice book for those interested in the 3rd Army and General Patton.  This is a large, coffee table type book.  It's 280+ pages are loaded with photos and maps, some commonly seen, some not.  Scattered throughout the book are short bios on commanders who served under Patton and excerpts from some of Patton's writings.  I've read through the first 50 pages or so and have not been disappointed.  Thanks to Michael Green for providing me with my sample copy.  Mike has been a friend of mine for several years so keep that in mind if you read anything I write about his books.