Admiral Graf Spee Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

Popular press dubbed it "pocket battleship".  Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine christened it "Panzerschiff" – "armoured ship".  By any name, DKM Admiral Graf Spee – last of its three-ship class – proved a fearsome commerce raider.  And its loss gave the Allies their first major naval victory of World War II.

Now it's subject of a terrific "Super Drawings in 3D" guide from Kagero – available in North America from Casemate.

Format follows the publisher's proven prescription.

A six-page summary kicks-off contents.  Text traverses development, specifications, construction, propulsion, armament and service details – including prewar actions in Spain and Lithuania.  Coverage of the Battle of the River Plate naturally consumes the bulk of operational notes.  And an epilogue, two-source "bibliography" and endnotes conclude Kagero's narrative.

That's when things turn meaty for modelers.  Over 65 pages of superb 3D illustrations detail every external facet of this legendary warship in late 1939.  Stem to stern, it's all here – and in color.  A separate sheet of 1:350-scale plans – complete with insets to 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200 – complete contents.

Tackling Trumpeter's 1:350 kit?  Fact-checking 1:700 offerings?  Make this handy handbook your Graf Spee guide.

Recommended!

With thanks to Casemate for the review copy!