Books in the Osprey New Vanguard S. series

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.

This history of the Soviet BMP armoured infantry vehicle, one of the most revolutionary advances in infantry tactics and armoured-vehicle design of the post-war era, describes its development and combat history since the 1960s, and includes contemporary photographs and colour plates and cut-aways.

A look at the Scorpion family of light tank and reconnaissance vehicles, which first entered service with the British Army in 1972 and continue to the present. A title from the NEW VANGUARD series, illustrated 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.

The PzKpfw IV, covered in this volume, was as integrated support weapon and was supplied to various allies of Germany during World War II. It last saw active service during the 1965 "Water War" between Israel and Syria. Technical points and two-page annotated cutaways illustrate the book.

One of the most sophisticated armoured fighting vehicles in the world, the M2/M3 Bradley is the United States equivalent of the British Warrior, combining the role of personnel carrier with the formidable armament of a 25mm cannon and TOW anti-tank missiles. With a maximum road speed of 66kmh it also has a degree of manoeuvrability dreamed of by other armoured vehicles. In this book Steven Zaloga examines the different variants of the Bradley in detail and looks at the changing tactical requirements of the US Army for an armoured personnel carrier.

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.

An account of the history and development of German armoured cars and recce vehicles used in World War Two. The volume is number 29 in the NEW VANGUARD series.

The Panther medium tank was produced to counteract the threat of the Soviet T-34/76 which outclassed the Panzer in battle during the invasion of Russia in 1941. Rushed into service at Kursk, it proved to be one of the best all round tanks of World War II.

Provides reference material for the modelling and tank enthusiast, with a computer generated cutaway of the SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. C. The author deals with the development, modifications and variations on the original models and with the tactical training and organisational aspects of the tanks deployment. In the NEW VANGUARD series.

In the NEW VANGUARD series. Information on the Panzer III, the workhorse of the German armoured units throughout the early years of the Blitzkrieg victories. Includes technical interest details and an annotated cutaway as the centrepiece.

The German assault gun was originally designed for infantry support but changing conditions on the battlefield forced it to adapt to other roles, notably as a tank destroyer. This volume details the gun's technical development, illustrated with a two-page annotated cutaway.

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.

A history of the US M3 halftrack, one of the most successful infantry vehicles in the history of armoured warfare, which came to symbolize the Allied armed forces of World War II, which also saw service in the post-war era. The book describes its development and combat history since the 1960s.

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.

The Sturmgeschutz was one of the most numerously produced and effectively deployed of the German armoured vehicles. Total production of the Ausf G alone was close to 7000 vehicles. This book reveals how they provided the backbone of Germany's armoured forces in every theatre and on every front.

This work examines the history of the KV series of Soviet tanks. It describes its development and combat history, and includes contemporary photographs and detailed colour plates and cut-aways.

The author of this work has had access to de-classified material on the part the Challenger tank played in the Gulf War. Originally developed for the Iranian army in the mid-1970s, the British were reluctantly forced to accept it themselves after the revolution in 1979.

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.

Describes the first of Germany's heavy tanks, the Tiger, which was a devastating combination of armour and firepower. When it entered service its 88mm gun outclassed every other tank it faced. A detailed double page full cutaway of the tank is included.

West Germany began full production of the Leopard 2 tank in 1977. Since that time, like its predecessor, the Leopard 2 has undergone modifications as well as being exported to various European countries. This volume contains declassified reports of the tanks performance in Bosnia.

An exploration of the British Napoleonic Ship-of-the-Line. It covers some of the most famous individuals and ships of the day, such as Nelson, Cochrane, HMS Victory and HMS Indefatigable. There is also a catalogue of all British Ships-of-the-Line from 1792 to 1815.