A successful tank design involves an optimal balance of mobility, protection and firepower, and this volume summarises how German tank firepower and protection levels evolved over the course of World War II. In response to better enemy vehicles, initially lightweight designs grew into a formidable array of heavy tanks, as well as solutions such as additional armour plates and Schürzen side skirts.

Panzer Vor! 6 focuses specifically on this“gun versus armour” equation, and this is reflected in the text and captions. A fascinating vista of photos show vehicles in action and the range of vehicles is extraordinary; it includes the Panzer I, Panzer II, Panzer III, StuG III, Panzer IV, Panther and Tiger I. There are also artillery pieces (e.g. Hummel, Wespe) and a number of halftracks featured within the covers. Perhaps most useful of all to readers will be the highly detailed captions that accompany each picture. They highlight features of production variants and units.

Featured in the book are 16 colour plates by the accomplished illustrator Laurent Lecocq, and these offer sample camouflage schemes and markings. As a worthy continuation of the five previous volumes in the Panzer Vor! series, this well-researched book is bound to enthuse modellers and military buffs alike.