New Vanguard SC (1993 Osprey Military) comic books

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 101 - 1st printing. "Zeppelins: German Airships 1900-40!" Written by Charles Stephenson. Art by Ian Palmer. On 2 July 1900 the people of Friedrichshafen, Germany, witnessed a momentous occasion - the first flight of LZ 1, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin's first airship. Although deemed a failure, a succession of better craft (LZ2 to 10) enabled the Zeppelin to expand into the consumer market of airship travel, whilst also providing military craft for the German Army and Navy. The years of the Great War saw the Zeppelins undertake strategic bombing missions against Great Britain. This title covers the post-war fate of the Zeppelins, including the crash of the Hindenburg, and their use by the Luftwaffe at the beginning of World War II. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 102 - 1st printing. "T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944-2004!" Written by Stephen J. Zalonga. Art by Hugh Johnson. The T-54 and T-55 tanks are the most widely manufactured tanks of all time. They have become ubiquitous to wars around the globe since the 1950s, starting with Hungary in 1956, and including the the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967, 1973 and 1982, the Vietnam war of 1967-75, the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88, the Afghanistan conflict, Operation Desert Storm, the Yugoslav Civil Wars, and the recent conflict in Iraq. This book will examine the roots of this prolific tank family, starting with the Soviet Army's first attempts to replace the legendary T-34 during World War II, and covering the T-43 and the T-44, the more successful T-54, and its ultimate evolution into the T-55. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 103 - 1st printing. "Confederate Submarines and Torpedo Vessels 1861-65!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Tony Bryan. The primary Union strategy during the American Civil War was a massive naval blockade of the entire Southern coastline of the Confederacy, and it was in the effort to counter this blockade that the Confederates developed their first submarines and torpedo boats. This book traces the development of these new technologies, including the CSS Little David' and Hunley' - respectively the first torpedo boat and submarine to sink an enemy warship. The wreck of the Hunley' was raised in 2000, and this is the first book ever to integrate details of its recovery with an account of Confederate submarines in action. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 104 - 1st printing. "Cromwell Cruiser Tank 1942-50!" Written by David Fletcher and Richard C Harley. Art by Peter Sarson. For most of World War II, British tank development remained faithful to the design philosophy inaugurated during World War I. Experiences in North Africa highlighted flaws in this basic design, however, and the General Staff identified the need for a new heavy cruiser that could combine speed and manoeuvrability with increased armour and armament. The Cromwell Cruiser tank was designed as a result and soon proved itself one of the fastest and most successful tanks deployed by the Allies during World War II. This book details the design and development of the Cromwell and its many variants, from its introduction at D-Day, through its many successes in the final year of World War II and beyond. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 105 - 1st printing. "British Artillery 1914-19!" Written by Dale Clarke. Art by Brian Delf. World War I is often deemed to have been a war of artillery', and British heavy artillery played a vital part in destroying the German trenches and providing invaluable cover for advancing troops on the Western Front. This book details the huge guns of the Royal Garrison Artillery, including the 6-in. siege gun and howitzer, the 8-in. howitzer, the 12-in. railway and siege howitzer and the infamous 9.2-in breech-loading siege howitzer. Camouflage and enemy battery locations and transport are covered, as well as tactics used and how the guns were developed and manned. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 108 - 1st printing. "English Civil War Artillery 1642–51!" Written by Chris Henry. Art by Brian Delf. At the beginning of the English Civil War it was clear that artillery was to play a significant part in the conflict, as so many battles were fought by siege. Both Royalists and Parliamentarians raced to capture ordnance stores in urban areas such as London and Hull, realising that they would prove strategically decisive in the siege warfare that later developed. Illustrated with superb colour plates by Brian Delf, this book gives the reader an overview of the types of weapon used in this conflict and, more generally, how artillery was actually used in the seventeenth century. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 110 - 1st printing. "Universal Carrier 1936–48!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Tony Bryan. The Universal Carrier was a fast, lightly armed vehicle developed by the British Army to carry infantry across ground defended by small-arms fire, specifically the Bren light machine gun, hence the name ‘Bren Gun Carrier'. This name would stick with the Universal Carrier and all of its future variants. This book details the Carrier, which was employed in a number of roles including carrying ammunition and towing anti-aircraft guns and trailers. All Allies used the Universal Carrier extensively during practically every World War II campaign. By the war's end, the Universal Carrier had proved itself to be an invaluable and successful cross-country vehicle that was both agile and fast for its time. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 111 - 1st printing. "Apache AH-64 Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) 1976–2005!" Written by Chris Bishop. Art by Jim Laurier. The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas, formerly Hughes) AH-64A Apache is the US Army's primary attack helicopter, and the most advanced helicopter gunship flying today. The most expensive rotary-winged aircraft ever built when it was introduced in the early 1980s, it has since proved its worth on battlefields all over the world, seeing action in the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and the recent conflict in Iraq. This book examines the design, development and deployment of a quick-reacting, airborne weapons system that can fight close and deep to destroy, disrupt, or delay enemy forces. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 116 - 1st printing. "Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk!" Written by Chris Bishop. Art by Ian Palmer. The successor to the legendary Bell UH-1 'Huey', the Sikorsky UH-60 first flew in 1974 and was christened the Black Hawk. It has become one of the most versatile and successful utility helicopters currently in service and has been used widely, from the invasion of Grenada to the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. An attack helicopter configured with missiles, rockets, machine guns and cannon, the Black Hawk is also capable of undertaking a wide range of missions on the battlefield, including troop transport, command and control and aeromedical evacuation. Although the Black Hawk is most recently associated with the disaster in Mogadishu, this book looks past Hollywood interpretations to investigate the design, development and operations of what is arguably the most important helicopter in the world today, with fantastic full-colour digital artwork and up-to-date information about the Black Hawk's role in Iraq. Also examined are the more unconventional missions the Black Hawk has been used in, from drug-busting operations in South America to peacekeeping operations around the world. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 120 - 1st printing. "Scud Ballistic Missile and Launch Systems 1955–2005!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Jim Laurier, and Lee Ray. The Scud missile was developed as the centerpiece of Soviet plans to fight nuclear war in the heart of Europe. However, it was never used in its intended role and has instead become a symbol of the changing nature of warfare in the aftermath of the Cold War. Saddam Hussein's Iraqi armed forces were almost helpless in the face of the Coalition forces in the 1991 Gulf War; the only weapon that Iraq could use to injure the Coalition forces was its arsenal of Scud missiles. This book explores the development and variants of the missile and its launch systems, its proliferation outside of the West, and its role in conflicts around the world. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Fine $5.80

Volume 124 - 1st printing. "German Battlecruisers 1914–18!" Written by Gary Staff. Art by Tony Bryan. The task of Germany's new Große Kreuzer at the beginning of the 20th century was to form an independent reconnaissance division that was able to perform special tasks. With a speed superiority of at least 3 knots, they should also be capable of fighting in the line, and would thus require heavy armour and good defensive qualities. The battlecruisers that were built did indeed have a remarkable ability to withstand battle damage, as demonstrated by the Goeben, which suffered five mine hits on one occasion. This title details all the classes of German battlecruiser, with particular emphasis on each individual ship's battle experience and deployment in conflict. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 125 - 1st printing. "Huey Cobra Gunships!" Written by Chris Bishop. Art by Jim Laurier. The Bell Huey Cobra was the very first purpose-designed helicopter gunship to become operational and to see combat. Designed in the mid-1960s as an interim solution for an armed escort and close-support weapon to support the US Army in the Vietnam War, it is still being manufactured and improved in the 21st century, making it a success far beyond the wildest dreams of its creators. In this book Chris Bishop discusses the origins of the Huey Cobra, the innovations to its design throughout the years and its major combat uses in numerous theatres, including Vietnam, the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, US Persian Gulf escort operations, Lebanon 1983, Panama 1989, the Gulf War 1991 and in the current conflict in Iraq. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 129 - 1st printing. "British Submarines 1939–45!" Written by Innes McCartney. Art by Tony Bryan. The submarine was the invisible but formidable weapon of the Royal Navy during World War II. This book examines the three major classes – ‘S', ‘T' and ‘U' – detailing their design, development and modification. The major submarine engagements of the war are recounted, including the Norwegian campaign, the battle of Malta in March 1942, Operation Pedestal, and many other engagements in all theatres between the British subs, German U-Boats and Japanese subs. Using many previously unpublished sources and his own extensive underwater explorations, Innes McCartney gives a highly detailed account of the British submarine. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 133 - 1st printing. "British Mark IV Tank!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Tony Bryan. The formidable Mark IV tank was pitted against the German Army from 1917 until the end of World War I. This book reveals the important role the tank played in the historic battle of Cambrai in 1917 as well as the first ever tank-versus-tank actions against German A7Vs. In awe of British technology, the Germans actively captured, salvaged and repaired Mark IVs for deployment against the Allies. Using rare photographs and detailed artwork, David Fletcher explores the Mark IV's design and development, its variants and accessories, and brings to life its exciting deployment on the battlefields of World War I. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 134 - 1st printing. "Red SAM: The SA-2 Guideline Anti-Aircraft Missile!" Written by Stephen J. Zalonga. Art by Jim Laurier. The Russian SA-2, nicknamed "Red SAM," is history's dominant antiaircraft missile. In 1960 it famously downed Gary Powers' U-2 spyplane, and two years later it was one of the missiles deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which almost sparked a nuclear showdown between America and the USSR. The SA-2 was also deployed in Vietnam, North Korea, Egypt, and even the Gulf War. Using photographs, color artwork, and rare accounts from the weapon's designers, Steven J Zaloga examines the missile's development, linking this to its massive impact on Cold War air campaigns, and investigates the design changes that have helped the SA-2 stand the test of time. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 136 - 1st printing. "Churchill Crocodile Flamethrower!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Tony Bryan. A fire-breathing monster on the battlefield, the Churchill Crocodile was one of the most awe-inspiring weapons of World War II. Tank expert David Fletcher chronicles the development of the flamethrower tank, examining the dramatic effect of these tanks in battle from use in France to the terrifying attack on the Senio River in Italy, as well as investigating the post-war use of Crocodiles to burn down and sterilise the site of Belsen concentration camp, and their mobilisation for the Korean War. Researched using the papers of Reginald Fraser - the genius behind the flamethrowers - and dramatically illustrated with detailed artwork and previously unpublished photographs, this book brings to life the true terror of these tanks. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 142 - 1st printing. "Tudor Warships Part 1!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Tony Bryan. In this book, maritime expert Angus Konstam explores the fledging Tudor Navy, tracing its history from its origins as a merchant fleet under Henry VII through to its emergence as a powerful force under Henry VIII. Examining the operational use of Henry VIII's warships the author analyses the battle of the Solent in 1545, in which Henry's fleet took on a French fleet of 200 ships - much larger than the Spanish Armada decades later. Despite the well-documented loss of his flagship, the Mary Rose, Henry's smaller force succeeded in preventing a French victory. Although many people will have heard of the mighty Mary Rose, this book will tell the story of more than just the tragic sinking of Henry's flagship, describing how one of history's most dynamic kings grew the navy from the five warships that were his father's legacy to 53 deadly gunships at the forefront of his empire-building strategy. Through contemporary illustrations and intricate artwork, the author traces the changing face of warship design during the Renaissance as Henry paved the way for English dominance of the sea. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.