Japanese Armor, Camouflage & Markings 8, AJ Press Book Review

Japanese Armor, Camouflage & Markings 8

By Wawrzyniec Markowski and Andrzei Tomczyk

Hardcover on glossy stock, no dust jacket, 232 pages

Publisher: AJ-Press, January 2011

Language: English / Polish

ISBN-10: 8372372101

ISBN-13: 978-8372372109

Dimensions: 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.9 inches

This book is nothing less than a “must have” for modelers of Japanese armor.  It is not a history and doesn’t pretend to be, it is entirely devoted to the camouflage and markings of Japanese tanks from the war in China through the end of the Pacific War.  The story is told mainly through well-captioned photographs and computer rendered full-color illustrations organized by vehicle type.  With very few exceptions, the photographs presented were all new to me.  They are sharp and printed large on glossy paper making them particularly useful for modelers.  The color renderings are spectacular and well-described, printed two or three views to the page.  Most tank types are shown in profile with a smattering of front and back views thrown in, but the Type 97 Chi-Ha and Shinhoto Chi-Ha illustrations are in perspective.

Unfortunately this book is out of print and is commanding collector’s prices on the used book market.  However, it is a unique and an especially valuable reference especially when considering the general lack of English language works on the subject.  Highly recommended.