Czech Republic Army (1)

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Czech Republic Army (1)
Author: Tomas Bouchal
Softcover - 64 pages
Publisher: Tankograd
Series: Missions & Manoevres
Price: 14.95 Euros

Introduction

This is the first part of a two book series looking at the transition of the Czech Army from its major role in the Warsaw Pact to its current role within NATO. At A4 in size, the book consists of sixty four glossy pages, lavishly covered in 132 large-format colour photographs. This makes it an ideal book for modelling reference due to its high picture content and a relatively low word count, which means that maximum space has been given to great images.

The Book

The main body of text consists of five bi-lingual pages. These pages give the reader a brief overview of the history of the Czech Nation and a slightly more detailed synopsis of the Czech Armed Forces and the history behind the army's current status. In my opinion there is just enough background text to whet the readers appetite and allow a basis for further reading.

Within the book, the reader is taken through ten different branches of the Czech Army, each section providing clear and concise images of the specified branch. Contained within the introduction is plenty of information on each of the ten featured branches. This information consists of; a brief description of the unit's purpose and formation and a comprehensive look at the vehicles and equipment used by the unit. Past the introduction pages we get on to the photographs. The author has broken the photography section down into the aforementioned ten groups. Breaking it down like this allows the book to flow smoothly through each branch. It also allows the reader to see the variation between the vehicles within a unit, and probably more importantly (to the modeller) the different colour schemes that can be found within a single unit. Within the book there are some interesting and exotic units, which could provide the modeller with lots of inspiration. Mixed in with the regular Mechanized Brigades, Rapid Deployment Brigades and Reconnaissance Units we find, Air Force - Base Support Units, NBC Defence Brigade and Military Hospital Units. Having this wide mix of units allows the reader to get a good view of not just the fighting force, but of the support elements as well.

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This book also provides the reader with photographs of some unusual vehicles. Alongside photographs of Landrovers, BPM's and T-72's we can find Armoured Police Trucks, several types of Snow Plough; including a bright yellow Unimog 400 and various fire engines both in green and red.

All of the pictures feature a bi-lingual caption that concisely describes the image. Usually giving information about the vehicle type, weapons seen and any additional information the author thinks is relevant.

Conclusion

Overall this book gives the reader a clear and concise look into the modern Czech Army. Due to the fantastic colour pictures it makes it an ideal reference for modellers, even having a small end text piece about how and where the camouflage colours are applied to vehicles. This book does contain everything needed to create an accurate model of a modern Czech Combat Vehicle.

Thankyou to Jochen Vollert for the review samples.

For full details on these and all Tankograd titles, please see their website: Tankograd