Featured 'On the bookshelf' with Neil Smith

Wargames Illustrated, February 2020

Oliver continues his usual habit of breaking down the various Brigades equipped with Churchill, including the 1st Assault Brigade, RE. The final two sections deal with the usual Technical Details and Modifications and a series of appendices. The fact that the Churchill went through version 1 - XI plus AVRE, ARV, Bridgelayer, Crocodile, Mine Clearing Lane Charges (MCLC) and Carpet Layer (MkIII TLC) shows that despite it's faults, Churchill was a good all-round tank, admired by crews and commanders alike. The appendices cover the British Regimental system, seniority and a full one page section on camouflage and vehicle markings.

Yet another first class book from the Dennis Oliver stable.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

An awesome British Heavy tank of World War II. This book is filled with great photos, detailed information, and examples of fine modeling and a plethora of aftermarket parts available to turn any build into a super build.

Ray Stryker Ace, Scale Models & Dioramas of World War II (Facebook)

Dennis Oliver has a very impressive skill set when it comes to writing a book that will be of interest to the modeller while still offering something to the person specifically interested in the vehicle. He has nearly always managed to grab my attention with some aspect of the information and he manages to this within a limited page count. The period photographs are well chosen and I like the effort put into the captions provided with them. The section covering the finished models is what I think of as a section to get the juices flowing; it is the section on products that will help the modeller most here. Another nice addition to the Tank Craft range.

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Armorama

Modellers should find many an interesting scene to depict within its pages and information on how to get the resources to model one. I have been waiting for a title devoted to the Churchill from Dennis for a long time and this one did not disappoint. Very much worth the long wait.

Highly recommended as are the other titles in this series.

Model Military International, April 2018 – reviewed by Al Bowie

First-class documentation that will delight car modellers, historians and military investigators.

Read the full Spanish review here

Miniaturas JM

Having read many of the authors other books he has continued to fit tons of information into this title as his others that the armour enthusiast and model builder will greatly appreciate.

Highly Recommended!

Read the complete review online here.

In Scale Blog, Scott Danis

Archival black-and-white photographs and vivid color images complement the author’s painstakingly researched text covering everything from unit histories to technical analysis.

This book about an iconic tank that contributed so much to the victorious British campaign in Normandy and beyond should be of great interest to history buffs and an inspirational aid to modelers.

Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine issue 233 – reviewed by Gordon Nelson

Another excellent publication from Pen And Sword’s Tank Craft series arrived for me before Christmas and it has taken me a while to sit down properly and give it my full attention.

The Churchill tank is another iconic armoured vehicle from World War Two. Its unique boxy shape and tracks make it one of the more unusual looking tanks from the war. It was also developed into various different engineering models, including a bridge layer and flamethrower version.

Dennis Oliver covers every aspect of the Churchill in great detail and this is a good book for anyone with a historical, modelling or wargaming interest in the tank. He goes through the use of the vehicle in all of its units at the back end of the war. I particularly like the details on individual tank names that were used and that’s something I plan to adopt when i am building my next Churchills. The historical details are accompanied by numerous excellent illustrations and photographs, more great inspiration for whatever you want to do.

There is also a comprehensive guide to the various choices modellers have to build their own Churchill kit in most scales. This is aimed more at 1/35 scale modellers but inspiring none the less for everyone. There are more great pictures of completed kits by highly skilful modellers. I love reading about and looking at tanks, so if you are like me you will like this book!

Read the complete review here.

Colonel Mustard, William Alexander

If you’re like me and you like books, tanks and models, these volumes will be informative right now, and I expect they will remain enjoyable to look at for a long time to come.

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SCHOPENHAUER'S WORKSHOP

Excerpt from book as featured in.

In summary. Any model maker building a Churchill looking for inspiration needs to look no further. This book is a great combination of information about the units that operated the tank with a great collection of superbly built models. There is a wealth of photographs of the Churchill in action and the colour plates are worth the cover price alone. Dennis Oliver’s text is informative yet easy to read.

Highly recommended to model makers and historians interested in Allied AFVS in Normandy. Many thanks to Pen and Sword for the review book.

Tankette - reviewed by Tom Cole

For the modeller or the wargamer, this is a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf. Colour details are excellent and accurate as are the marking details.

Read the complete review here.

Thomo's Hole - Reviewed by Ian Thompson

A great book if you are a model maker, and worth checking out even if you prefer the the real thing.

Military Vehicle Trust

Any model maker building a Churchill looking for inspiration needs to look no further. This book is a great combination of information about the units that operated the tank with a great collection of superbly built models. There is a wealth of photographs of the Churchill in action and the colour plates are worth the cover price alone. Dennis Oliver’s text is informative yet easy to read. Highly recommended to model makers and historians interested in Allied AFVS in Normandy

Scale Military Modeler International

The Tank Craft series has become very popular with modellers and enthusiasts. This new addition to the range meets the criteria of excellent photographs and drawings with descriptive text and full captions – Very Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

A brilliant, comprehensive and very-well illustrated look at the Churchill Tank.

Books Monthly

If I may borrow a phrase from the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, 'this is my favourite'. Good value for money for the Churchill tank modeller, well done Dennis.

Read the complete review here.

Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland