Monography from the serie Camouflage & Markings (AJ-Press) – Japanese Armor 1931-1945

Authors: Wawrzyniec Markowski, Andrzej Tomczyk
ISBN 978-83-7237-210-9
Published 2010
Size 21 x 29,7 cm, Hard cover, 232 pages, 208 b&w photos, 295 color profiles & 3D drawings
Text: bilingual Polish - English

Look inside - video: https://youtu.be/EC_lwGj0XP8


Write-up by Robin Buckland

This hard back book is published by the Polish concern of AJ_Press, and covers the camouflage and markings of Japanese Armour from 1931 through to 1945.  It seems that it is only in recent years that we have seen such detailed work become available on Japanese Armour, and tanks largely to AJ-press.  In the introduction they credit the work of Steve Zaloga in highlighting it, and they have moved on leaps and bounds since those early articles.
 
The text and captions are in 2 languages throughout, both Polish and English.  For any modeller interested in Japanese armour however, the greatest element of the book is in the colour artwork, both side profiles and 3D views as well, and the bulk of which are produced in 1/35 scale.  It is just the little Type 94 tankette which they have enlarged to 1/17.5 that is different.
 
In addition to the really excellent artwork, showing the multi colour camouflage patterns that were used most often, there is a super selection of archive photos, giving an excellent collection of photos in itself.  It starts by covering the very early Japanese armour of the 1930s, with the liks of Whippet and the Renault FT17.  Little Carden Lloyd tankettes, then the early Type 89 and Type 92 tanks.  It moves on to the Type 95 Ha-Go and of course the Type 97 Chi-Ha.  Towards the end of the book, the Type 2 Ka-Mi and the Type 1 Ho-Ni SP gun on the Chi-Ha chassis.
 
The text is well written and gives details of the colours used by both the Japanese Army and Navy armoured units.  Coupled with equally well captioned photos you will see the various states of the machines, in use, or knocked out and abandonned with US troops looking on.  Photos from the end of the war show lines of AFVs as they are collected on the final surrender.  It mentions the various places they saw action, and changes in colours and markings over the periods.  All in all I would have to say that if you are a modeller in particular, and have an interest in the camouflage and markings of Japanese Equipment, I would rate this is definitely a book to keep on your reference book shelf.  It is the best and most comprehensive approach to the topic that I have seen to date.  the album below illustrates a couple of sample pages jut to give you an idea of how the content is presented, and examples of both the reference photos and the colour artwork provided.
 

Brand new 
A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.