M1 Abrams In Action Book Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | October 2013 | Title | M1 Abrams In Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | David Doyle | Publisher | Squadron/Signal Publications |
| Published | 2013 | ISBN | 978-0-89747-734-5 |
| Format | 80 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $18.95 |
Review
Squadron/Signal has released a new In Action covering the M1 Abrams series of main battle tanks. In following the new format for Squadron/Signal's In Action series, this title is well-illustrated with full-color images of the Abrams in training and in the sandbox with nearly all of the images showing the tanks in desert camouflage. While there have been a number of titles that covered the early Abrams and its operations in Europe and in the first Gulf War, this title picks up that coverage through current M1A2 TUSK configurations.
This title starts off with a brief introduction of the early days of the Abrams and goes straight into combat operations during Desert Storm. This too is brief as it has been adequately covered in past titles, so the author really picks up coverage from the second Gulf War through peacekeeping operations in Iraq as well as combat operations in Afghanistan.
One aspect of this In Action look is battle damage - the Abrams remains one of the safest vehicles to be crewing in combat operations in the sandbox, though the threat continues to evolve and test their new technologies against the Abrams in theater. The vast majority of those tanks that are successfully damaged still provide the crew sufficient time to safely exit the vehicle. The photos of these damaged tanks are noteworthy in how well the Abrams withstood the attack (and we've seen T-72s and newer tanks utterly destroyed by less).
The title also provides excellent shots of the many details and modifications performed to the tank including antennas for the CREW counter-IED system and the urban combat TUSK additions.
The title is an excellent resource for modeler and historian alike. If you have one of the DML kits of this tank (or others for that matter), this title is going to help you achieve greater details and accuracy as now you have a look at the contemporary Abrams in action. This title is definitely recommended!
My sincere thanks to Squadron/Signal Publications for this review sample!