New Vanguard SC (1993 Osprey Military) comic books 2002-2004

Volume 44 - 1st printing. "Siege Weapons of the Far East Part 2!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Wayne Reynolds. From the 11th century AD, East Asian armies made increasing use of exploding missiles and siege cannon to reduce the fortifications of their enemies. Some of these weapons were very similar to those used in Europe - for example, the heavy siege cannon used in the siege of P'yongyang during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century. Others, like the Korean hwach'a carts mounting over a hundred rockets that were used to bombard the Japanese at Haengiu in 1593, were very different from their European contemporaries. This book details the design and use of the wide range of weaponry available during this period. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 45 - 1st printing. "Union Monitor 1861–65!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Tony Bryan. The first seagoing ironclad was the USS Monitor, and its profile has made it one of the most easily recognised warships of all time. Following her inconclusive battle with the Confederate ironclad Virginia on March 9, 1862, the production of Union monitors was accelerated. By the end of the year a powerful squadron of monitor vessels protected the blockading squadrons off the Southern coastline, and were able to challenge Confederate control of her ports and estuaries. Further technological advancements were included in subsequent monitor designs, and by the end of the war the US Navy possessed a modern coastal fleet carrying the most powerful artillery afloat. This book covers the design, development and operational history of the Union's Monitor fleet. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 46 - 1st printing. "88 mm FlaK 18/36/37/41 and PaK 43 1936–45!" Written by John Norris. Art by Mike Fuller. The German 88 mm was by far the most famous and versatile artillery weapon of World War II. It was first used as an anti-aircraft weapon by the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War and saw further service in the German invasions of Poland and France, where it was first used in its anti-tank role. This role was particularly successful and the 88 became feared by tank crews from North Africa to Russia. Apart from these two main roles the 88 mm was used as the main weapon on late-war German tanks, as a self-propelled gun, and even as an aerial weapon. This book covers all these variants, explaining their design, development and operational use. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 47 - 1st printing. "Viking Longship!" Written by Keith Durham. Art by Steve Noon. Viking longships evolved from one-man canoes of the Scandinavian Stone Age, through wood-built-ships of c. 200 BC into the recognisable longboats of the 4th century AD. From this point, the Viking Longship developed into the pre-eminent raider and trader in the North Sea and Baltic, venturing as far afield as the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and modern-day Russia. Keith Durham uses reconstructions, original sources, translations and archaeological evidence to render a vivid picture of the vessels that dominated the seaways of Scandinavia, founded colonies on Iceland, Greenland and the New World and terrorised the coastlines of northern Europe. Also covered are Norman vessels, including the invasion fleet of William the Conqueror. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Add to cart Fine $5.80

Volume 48 - 1st printing. "The 25-pounder Field Gun 1939–72!" Written by Keith Durham. Art by Steve Noon. Of all the British guns in use during the Second World War, the 25 pounder is the gun that best represents Britain's armed forces. It was adaptable, it packed a powerful punch, and above all it was reliable. This book provides a full combat history of a gun that was used in every theatre of the Second World War and saw extensive service in the postwar years, particularly in Korea and during the Malaysian emergency. The last 25-pounder gun to see action in the British Army was one used by SAS troops at Mirbat, Oman, in 1972. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 49 - 1st printing. "Mississippi River Gunboats of the American Civil War 1861–65!" Written by Angus Konstam. Art by Tony Bryan. At the start of the American Civil War, neither side had warships on the Mississippi River and in the first few months both sides scrambled to gather a flotilla, converting existing riverboats for naval use. These ships were transformed into powerful naval weapons despite a lack of resources, trained manpower and suitable vessels. The creation of a river fleet was a miracle of ingenuity, improvisation and logistics, particularly for the South. This title describes their design, development and operation throughout the American Civil War. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $9.00

Volume 50 - 1st printing. "U-boats of the Kaiser's Navy!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by Ian Palmer. As was the case in World War II, one of the greatest threats to Britain during World War I was the German U-boat menace. This book traces the development of the U-boat threat from the Brandtaucher, designed by Wilhelm Bauer, the father of the German submarine arm, in 1850, through to the commissioning of Germany's first U-boat to go into service, the U-1, in 1906. It then covers the main types of World War I U-boat, detailing the operational history of the U-boat service in depth, with a particular focus on the campaigns in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, as well as the slow build up of anti-submarine measures by the allies. Softcover, 48 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.