Der Tiger: Vol. 1: Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501

I read one of the previous reviewers review and his last paragraph made me a little hesitant to purchase. I posted on a modeling website seeking info on the book and was convinced to buy. There are very few pictures that are in both Der Tiger and Restyan's books although there are often similar photos from the same series printed in the book. The few that were in both titles were larger in Der Tiger. The pictures are processed differently by the two editors and as a modeler I think I prefer the photos in De Tiger. I didn't compare the printing of photographs to Tigers in Combat to these books but that may be interesting. This book is equivalent to crack for Tiger modelers. There is not a lot of battle history or development information in this book but largely just great, well captioned, photos of Tigers Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501. Interesting to me was a jib hoist designed by the maintenance crews to remove Tiger engines that is documented with several photos and 1 1/2 pages of drawings. This book is has 127 pages, is hardbound, the text is in both English and German, is printed on good quality, semi gloss paper. There are 151 photos, the vast majority of them (approximately 130) include a Tiger I, 6 are of Tiger II with the remainder related to the Tiger. No portraits no fluff, just Tiger stuff. The author, Volker Ruff, ambitiously plans on doing volumes on each of the 10 Heer Tiger units and I will buy them all. I hope Herr Ruff will then do the SS Tiger units.

Well researched, well laid out and presented. This book and all the books of this series is as essential as the "Tigers in Combat" series. The photographs are of varying quality, but that is to be expected as most were not taken by professional cameramen, but by the tank crew themselves. The photos are well captioned and arranged in chronological order. This isn't your average Tiger Tank book, but a thoroughly researched effort that goes beyond the author, and involves scholarship from other Tiger historians. If you are aware of the "Tiger im Focus" website, you undoubtedly know who I mean. There is also unit history provided, not in the detail provided in other books, but enough to keep the photos in perspective. While I do believe that other books may be better for the model builder (more technical books which cover the nuts and bolts in detail), this is a fantastic reference for diorama makers, as many of the photos feature the crew in unique scenes and activity, and the well researched times and locations of these scenes are like a visual documentation of a particular period of the war

This new series of books details the individual Tiger Abeilung units with one unit being the focus of each book. This volume is of 1 of the two units that fought in North Africa. Candid pictures show the vehicles as they actually appeared. This alone makes this book series a must for modelers wishing to build any of the tanks.Let me close by saying that the series is in both German and English throughout the book. I highly recommend this book, as well as the other volumes.

The book begins with the formation of this unit but quickly follows their movements to N. Africa and here's where the fun begins. Mundane activities with the crew are pictured along with a bigger notion of what was going on strategically at the time. The photos give a wonderful glimpse into what must have been a challenging and fearful environment. Research on the captions and background story is well researched. The soldiers who fought in this inhospitable place, whether Axis or Allied deserve respect.Highly recommend!

The book arrived in good condition as advertised!! I have volume two and these two books are very well illustrated and captioned with informative histories!! Like volume two the photos are very clear with some astounding detail of individual Tiger tanks!! Both books are a Great addition to my book collection!! Thank you for listing this book with AMAZON!!

I bought this for reference, it's will laid out. With caption under the photos, most of the photos I have never seen before. Which I find as a plus, I plan to get other books from this author.

Excellent history on development of the Tiger I

If you are interested in all things WWII this is a nice book have. I bought both volumes.