Book Review

Crusader 
No.1 in a series of Classic AFV's, their history and how to model
them.

J Milso, J Sandars and G Scarborough

Published 17th May 1976, priced at 2.50. A Patrick Stephens book,
published in association with Airfix Products Limited.

Sole UK, British Commonwealth and Euro pean publisher Patrick Stephens
Ltd., Bar Hill, Cambridge CB3 8EL.

This lavishly illustrated book is a detailed record of the development
and active service life of the famous British Crusader tank, and
includes full details on modelling and converting the 1:32 scale Airfix
plastic construction kit of a Crusader III.

Part one, by John Milso, describes the Crusader's development from the
earlier A13 and Covenanter Cruiser tanks. Equipped with the brilliant
Christie suspension system, and powered by a 340 hp Nuffield Liberty
engine, the Crusader was capable of speeds of up to 27mph over flat
terrain, making one of the fastest tanks of World War l l and an ideal
vehicle for the wide-ranging Western Desert battles.

The early Crusader Mk I and II were fitted with 2pdr guns, but the
definitive Crusader III which saw action at Alamein mounted a 6pdr. The
performance of all three marks in the 8th Army's battles against
Rommel's Afrika Korps between 1941 and 1943 is well described in part
two of this book, by John Sandars. For modellers, there is a special
section on Crusader camouflage and marking schemes.

Although outclassed as a main battle tank by 1943, the basic Crusader
design was adapted into various anti-aircraft tanks as well as a
tractor for the 17pdr anti-tank gun, all of which were used in Europe
after D-Day. In all, over 5,000 Crusaders were produced during the war,
making it one of the most numerous of all British tanks in this period.

In the book's third section expert modeller Gerald Scarborough shows
how to add complete internal detail to the Airfix 1:32 scale kit, how
to convert it into a Mk I or II, and even how to alter it into one of
the anti aircraft versions.

Throughout, the text is profusely illustrated by numerous clear
photographs of all Crusader variants, as well as scale and camouflage
scheme drawings, tactical diagrams and illustrations from actual
Crusader hand books, making this an ideal book for all military
historians and AFV enthusiasts wishing to broaden their knowledge of
this important tank as well as for modellers working from the Airfix
kit.

Specification: 80pages,9 5/8" x 71/4",117 photographs and 51 line
drawings. Case bound with full colour laminated cover.