Squadron have just mailed us with and Update of the company's latest releases.

Two different categories of releases here - Reference Material from Squadron Signal In Action Series and Armor-Related figures from the compant's figure division: Warriors.

Beginning with the books. I make no apologies for repeating these as the first is such an unusual subject:

SS2044 - ITALIAN TRUCK-MOUNTED ARTILLERY IN ACTION ($14.95)

Italian military planners saw the need for highly mobile artillery early in the 20th Century. Accordingly, Italy began mounting anti-aircraft weapons on truck chassis prior to WWI, giving birth to the autocannone, a weapon concept which would soldier through both World Wars. Inspired by the German half-tracks equipped with 88mm guns, the Italians reprised the autocannone with their 90/53 guns on a heavy truck chassis. Other vehicles, some captured, were mated with a wide variety of weapons, often in the field. A unique and lavishly-illustrated survey of the various weapon combinations devised by the Italian military from the inception of the autocannone until the end of WWII. Illustrated with over 200 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 56 pages.

SS5716 - M88 ARMORED RECOVERY VEHICLE WALK AROUND ($18.95)

The M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle was designed and developed in the late 1950s to handle the recovery of the heavier and more massive tanks that were appearing at the time. Armored like a tank and incorporating the suspension and drive train of the M48/M60 tanks, the M88 ARV employed a massive recovery winch and a hydraulically raised A-frame boom with 400 feet of 5/8" wire rope. The M88's original gasoline motor served the vehicle well during its years of duty in Vietnam. In the 1970s, though, a new diesel power plant was installed in the M88, which was then reclassified as an M88A1. Production for domestic use ended in 1989, but the vehicles continued to be manufactured for export. Meanwhile, a new recovery vehicle became necessary with the introduction of the massive M1 Abrams tank. The M88 had been so successful that it was taken as a basis for the new upgraded recovery vehicle, which is still in use today, the M88A2. Illustrated with 175 photographs, plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages.

Finally, three figure releases:

WA35666 - US ARMY M4 CREW PTO 1/35th ($34.99)

Resin Sherman crew - two 3/4 figures and two 1/2 figures cast in uniforms appropriate for the Pacific Theater of operations for placement in M4 open hatches.

WA54037 - USAF GROUND CREW KOREA 54mm Scale ($29.99)

Two 1950s era US Air Force aircraft maintenance men standing bundled against the winter cold.

WA72013 - MODERN OIF US AFV CREW 1/72 Scale ($13.99)

5 resin half figures that may be painted to represent modern US Army or US Marine AFV crewmen.

Our thanks to Gary Newman of Squadron for the Update!

Please mention Armorama when contacting Retailers!