New Vanguard SC (1993 Osprey Military) comic books 1993-1995

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "Kingtiger Heavy Tank 1942–45!" Written by Hilary Doyle and Tom Jentz. Art by Peter Sarson. As World War II entered its later stages and Germany was forced increasingly onto the defensive, the need for fast-moving mobile forces lessened and the Wehrmacht required better protected and more powerfully armed tanks. After debacles against the T-34, Hitler and the Panzerwaffe were determined not to be unprepared again. The result of this determination was the production of the heaviest and largest tank to see combat during World War II, the Tiger II or Konigstiger (Kingtiger). This title examines this formidable weapon, covering the problems and controversies surrounding its design and production as well as a detailed listing of every unit that was equipped with the Tiger II. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. "M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–92!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. The M1 Abrams was the most radical departure in US tank design since World War II. Until the advent of the M1 in the early 1980s, the US Army had relied on the steady evolution of the M26 Pershing tank, through the M46, M47, M48 and M60. The M1 design came at a time when there were a host of important new tank technologies coming to fruition, in terms of structure and weaponry: these were integrated into it. This book details the design, development and operational use of one of the world's best main battle tanks. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. "Sherman Medium Tank 1942–45!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. The M4 Sherman tank was the mainstay of the Western allies between 1942 and 1945. Fast and modern it was better than most of the tanks Britain had to offer. The American Chief of Staff claimed in November 1943 that it had been hailed widely as ‘the best tank on the battlefield today'. However, by the time of the Normandy invasion of June 1944 this was not the case. The new heavy tanks being produced by the Germans were able to outclass the Sherman in both armour and armament. This title describes the development and operational use of the Sherman medium tank throughout World War II and beyond. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Fine $5.80

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "Churchill Infantry Tank 1941–51!" Written by Bryan Perrett. Art byMike Chappell and Peter Sarson. TThe Churchill was undoubtedly one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War. Although it suffered from being underarmed, a defect common to most British armoured vehicles of the period, it was nevertheless loved by its crews: its cross-country ability was unrivalled and it was less inclined to 'brew-up' from a direct hit than the Sherman. It was also adaptable. Modified Churchills played a crucial part in the initial D-Day landings and in the subsequent advance through France. Bryan Perrett traces the life of this slow-moving but effective and respected tank from its initial inception through till its eventual obsolescence. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 5 - 1st printing. "Tiger 1 Heavy Tank 1942–45!" Written by Hilary Doyle and Tom Jentz. Art by Peter Sarson. Probably the most famous tank of the World War II, the Tiger I was originally conceived in 1941 in response to the German Army's experience in fighting British tanks and anti-tank guns in Western Europe and the North African desert. Following the invasion of Russia, the appearance of the Soviet T-34 and KW tanks lent a further impetus to the programme. The Tiger's power and performance on the battlefield is emphasised by tables of relevant performance throughout the book, which clearly show the battlefield survivability of the Tiger and its superiority to many allied tank designs. This comprehensive and extremely detailed text is accompanied by a fine selection of black and white photographs showing the tank in use. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 6 - 1st printing. "T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93!" Written by Hilary Doyle and Tom Jentz. Art by Peter Sarson. The Russian T-72 Ural tank is the most widely-deployed main battle tank of the current generation. Used by the armies of the former Warsaw pact and Soviet Union, it has also been exported in large numbers to many of the states in the Middle East. This book reveals the previously secret history behind the tank. Steven J Zaloga examines the conditions under which the T-72 was designed and produced. Technical aspects of the weapon are also discussed, including its EDZ reactive armour which, when it first appeared in December 1984, gave NATO a nasty shock. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart FN- 5.5 $9.80

Volume 7 - 1st printing. "IS-2 Heavy Tank 1944–73!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. The Iosef Stalin tanks were the ultimate heavy tanks developed by the Soviet Union and were popularly called 'Victory tanks' due to their close association with the defeat of Germany in 1945. Yet in spite of their reputation, the Stalin tanks emerged from a troubled design, had a brief moment of glory in 1944 and 1945, and disappeared in ignominy after 1960. This title covers the events contributing to the Soviet Union's need to design the new series, with particular reference to the unsuccessful KV series and the advent of a new generation of heavy German tanks including the Tiger. It also covers their development, operational history and myriad variants. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 8 - 1st printing. "Matilda Infantry Tank 1938–45!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Peter Sarson. The Matilda was the principal British infantry tank in the early years of World War II. It served with the BEF in France and later in North Africa, where it earned the title ‘Queen of the Desert'. Outclassed by increasingly powerful German anti-tank weapons, it still remained a power in the South-East Pacific, and was kept in service until the end of the war by Australian forces. In this title, David Fletcher deals with Marks I to V. Development and operational history are discussed, along with service in other countries, including Germany and Russia. Numerous variants are also covered, including the prototype ‘Hedgehog' bunker-busting weapon. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 9 - 1st printing. "T-34/76 Medium Tank 1941–45!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Peter Sarson. The Matilda was the principal British infantry tank in the early years of World War II. It served with the BEF in France and later in North Africa, where it earned the title ‘Queen of the Desert'. Outclassed by increasingly powerful German anti-tank weapons, it still remained a power in the South-East Pacific, and was kept in service until the end of the war by Australian forces. In this title, David Fletcher deals with Marks I to V. Development and operational history are discussed, along with service in other countries, including Germany and Russia. Numerous variants are also covered, including the prototype ‘Hedgehog' bunker-busting weapon. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 10 - 1st printing. "Warrior Mechanised Combat Vehicle 1987–94!" Written by Christopher Foss. Art by Peter Sarson. The Warrior has been an important component of the British Army since the first production example was handed over in May 1987. It has seen action in many parts of the globe and the British Army alone uses eight different specialised versions of the vehicle, while Desert and Arctic Warriors are also produced for countries with extreme climates. In this authoritative text Christopher Foss examines the development and operational life of the Warrior, the British army's most modern armoured personnel carrier, and its many variants, focussing on its role in 'Desert Storm' and other campaigns. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 11 - 1st printing. "M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940–73!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. As armoured warfare tactics matured, mechanised infantry became a key ingredient in what is now called 'combined arms' doctrine. For the US Army of World War 2, the most important technical aspect of infantry mechanisation was the development of the M3 half-track personnel carrier. Steven Zaloga guides the reader through the early 1930s development of the half-track, its first deployment in action in the Philippines in 1941 and its varied and vital role in international deployments since World War 2. This authoritative text also examines the operators of half-tracks and the troops that they carried. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 12 - 1st printing. "BMP Infantry Fighting Vehicle 1967–94!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. The Russian BMP infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was one of the most significant innovations in infantry tactics in the latter half of the 20th century. Built in response to the threat of nuclear warfare, it was the world's first IFV, providing the infantry squad with unprecedented firepower, mobility and protection. With over 55,000 manufactured since 1966, the BMP is also numerically one of the most important armoured vehicles ever built. This richly illustrated book examines the development and design of the BMP, detailing its armaments, performance in combat and variants. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 13 - 1st printing. "Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle 1972–94!" Written by Christopher Foss. Art by Peter Sarson. The Scorpion reconnaissance vehicle was part of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (CVR) series first devised in the mid-1960s. Designed to be light enough to be carried and parachute-dropped if necessary, the CVR, with the designation 'tracked' added, entered service with the British Army in 1972. Since then the Scorpion and its variants - the Scimitar, Striker, Spartan, Samaritan, Sultan and Sampson - have seen action in many theatres. Backed by numerous photographs and colour plates, this book examines the development and design of the Scorpion, detailing its firepower, forms of protection, performance in combat and variants. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 14 - 1st printing. "Crusader and Covenanter Cruiser Tanks 1939–45!" Written by David Fletcher. Art by Peter Sarson. The Covenanter (which never saw active service) and Crusader Cruiser tanks were developed between 1939 and 1940. The Crusader first saw action in the North African desert in June 1941: its speed and sleek design made it a hard target to hit, and the tank was well-respected by the Afrikakorps for its velocity in combat. But its hurried development prior to World War II also made it prone to mechanical failure. This book examines the Covenanter and the many variants of the Crusader tank, detailing the designs, developments and disappointments of these infamous World War II tanks. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 15 - 1st printing. "Flammpanzer German Flamethrowers 1941–45!" Written by Hilary Doyle and Tom Jentz. Art by Peter Sarson. The first attempt at mounting a flamethrower in a German tank was not the result of an engineering design process but rather occurred as a field expedient, when German troops involved in the Spanish Civil War mounted small back-pack flamethrowers on their PzKpfw Is. The German authorities took up this idea and from early 1939 began to design a flamethrowing tank based on the Panzer II. This was the first in a long line of German tanks to be equipped with flamethrowers. During World War II versions of the Panzer III, Sturmgeschütz and half-track were all given flamethrowers. This book examines their development, weapons and operational use, often using original German combat reports. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 16 - 1st printing. "Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank 1965–95!" Written by Hilary Doyle and Tom Jentz. Art by Peter Sarson. Development of the Leopard 1 can be traced back to November 1956, when the operational requirement for a new battle tank was formulated by the Federal German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). Originally a Franco-German project, the tank under design was named the 'Standard-Panzer'. The French later dropped out, however, and on 1 October 1963 the 'Standard' tank was officially named 'Leopard', an appropriate choice considering Germany's wartime pedigree with the formidable Tiger and Panther. This book traces the development and service record of the Leopard 1, detailing its control systems, modifications and variants. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 17 - 1st printing. "KV-1 & 2 Heavy Tanks 1939–45!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Peter Sarson. Named after Klimenti Voroshilov, the People's Commissar for Defence, the KVs proved a nasty surprise for German tank crews during the early days of Operation Barbarossa. Although slow, they were extremely heavily armoured. This volume examines the transition from multi-turreted tanks to heavy single-turret vehicles, consisting of the KV-1 and 2, and the increased favour given to the heavy single-turret after the Germans began to develop ammunition capable of penetrating even the thickest armour, whilst detailing the design, development and operational history of the Soviet Union's monstrous KV series of tanks. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.