Panther by Toni Canfora

As well as a wargamer I'm a bit of a modeller. I don't claim to equal the professional model builders out there like Steven Zaloga or Doug Chaltry, but I still try my best and can enjoy building a model just for the building part. Other times I like a fastbuild without much details, it really depends on wether it's for display or gaming, and if I'm building only one or a whole platoon!

The cover looks tasty!

Because of that I enjoy to read books about modelling and I couldn't resist Panther from Toni Canfora.

This book is a little bit different than other modelling books in that it showcases ten different takes on the same subject, namely the famous Panzerkampfwagen V, nicknamed Panther by both the Germans and the Allies.

There are pictures of the historical subjects as well as the WIP shots of the models.

Each builder has chosen a historical subject from a photograph or written account. Some of the subjects are straightforward, such as a Panther abandoned during retreat and documented by the Soviets; the builder choosing to depict the crew realizing they are going to be overrun. Other are more elusive, such as one based on a photograph believed to be a vehicle belonging to the Hermann Göring division at the eastern front, only for another photograph turning up, clearly taken during the battle of the bulge!

The finished models are of course displayed in all their glory.

In the same vein the book differs from other modelling books because most of the text is about the various vehicles and researching them, rather than techniques used. The book does mention the methods involved in building the models but it doesn't explain them, so you need to have another book (or Google) to look them up if they are not familiar.

Various battlefield debris still found today give clues on how to paint the models.

The book features a small bonus of a couple of pages with photos of battlefield findings and a short text advising on how to research a subject from a photograph. There are of course a lot of photos of the beautiful models during the building stages as well as finished.

A Schurzen is examined to reveal it's original painting.

I think this book can be a huge inspiration for modellers also interested in the historical aspect. What I was most surprised of however was the different techniques and colours used; one modeller did his own photo etched accessories even, while another used Citadel paints and recommended the Forgeworld Imperial Armour books!

To summarize I give the book five out of five if you like looking at pictures of beautiful models and reading about WW2.
As an instructional text it only receives three out of five.