Warpaint Colours & Markings of the British Army Vehicles 1903-2003 vol 3

Published by: Mushroom Model Publications

Green Series No 4109

Author: Dick Taylor

Format: Soft back

ISBN: 978-83-61421-23-8

Review by: Bill Curtis (February 2012)

Our thanks to Stratus – Mushroom Model Publications for supplying the review sample.

Initial Assessment

This is an A4 format book printed on good quality glossy paper and has 168 pages between the soft covers. It’s the third volume in a series of four, which describes and illustrates the colours and markings used by the British Army on its vehicles during the twentieth century.

The major sections in this book cover:

• Paint and camouflage post WWII
• Arm of Service Markings
• Formation Signs.

The book is profusely illustrated with photographs and line drawings. It describes in detail the official paint schemes, variations which inevitably occur in practice and the individual unit markings applied to all types of vehicles from AFV’s to towed guns and wheeled lorries.

Author Dick Taylor is a serving member of the British Army and, after being commissioned in 2000, has served in many areas of the world. He has a first class degree in History and is currently reading for a Masters degree at Dundee University.

Conclusions

The pictures in this book are clear and accompanied by text to explain the colours and or markings. This is a terrific series and, as one who finds British Markings a black art, the book is a tremendous guide.

For those of us who thought that British Colours were green or green and black, think again as some of the schemes illustrated are truly mind blowing. For example, the urban scheme for Berlin,  a red painted Warrior or a Centurion painted one side in one scheme, while the other is done in a different one.

These books are truly an invaluable reference for the military historian and modeller alike and I now see a glimmer of hope for the markings.

Highly recommended.

Bill C.