T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005

T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005

T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005
New Vanguard 158

Written by Steven J Zaloga
Illustrated by Tony Bryan
Osprey Publishing 2009, 48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-84603-390-2

T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005 at Osprey...

This month we received a bumper crop of books from the team at Osprey including a set of three books on modern combat (T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005, M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural and US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War) so needless to say I leapt at the opportunity to read all three. I started with the new Duel book, M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural, and I think that was a mistake as the new T-62 book would have made more sence due to its role in the development of the T-72. In terms of content the book was sensibly laid out, with a third of the book devoted to the developmental history and a sprinkling of the political deliberations that seemed to interrupt the development of the tank. Next there is a good section on the evolution of the tank over the years and a very brief review of the T-62 export customers.
Finishing the book is a good section touching on the combat deployment of the T-62 looking at their usage verses the Israelis, combat in Afghanistan and finally verses the US in Desert Storm. Closing out the book is a small section covering further reading if you are looking for some more depth.

To me the book was a very easy read with a great combination of art and photography backing up the text. As a basic primer for someone who wanted to know all the basics about the T-62, this is certainly a great place to start. However what stood out to more however were the little things that were missing, as opposed to what was included. The M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural book had a great section looking at the interior of the tank and the effect this had on the crew. Whilst there were some nice interior shots, I felt that a more complete review would have been a great addition, making the book feel a little more complete.

The bottom line was that like most of the New Vanguard series of books you have a pretty good idea of what information you are going to walk away with. In this case I got the solid basis of information on the development and employment of a well known Soviet tank, along with a pile of great photos that would be useful as a modeler, painter or wargamer. My only major disappointment is that I think another 16 or so pages would have turned the book from being something I would read and enjoy, to a really great reference that would sit on the bookshelf forever.

Chris


Last Updated On Tuesday, September 1, 2009 by Wayne at Battlefront