Good Books.
Fore warned is Fore armed, Or...
Look, you want some of these in your collection.
Before you buy a single figure its worth your while to read a few books. After all enough lead and plastic goes unpainted as it is without nice but unused purchases. Osprey have stolen the market and there is little to fault their work and content. Often packed with details, juicy nuggets of information and colour plates. However outside of Osprey there have been other works of serious note, here are my recommendations.
Uniforms and Organisation.
Outside of the Osprey Books try looking for the works of Andrew Mollo. Especially recommended is 'The armed Forces of World War 2, Uniforms, Insignia & Organisations' (ISBN 0-85613-296-9) from Orbis Press. This book has recently been partially reprinted by Silverdale Books (ISBN 1-85505-603-1), it is noticeable by its size (about A5 size) but this re-print has omitted the entire chapter on the Eastern Front! If you can find one of the earlier imprints, or the larger version grab it, quiet honestly, you may never need another reference book on this area. It goes into details of Divisional and Regimental organisations and levels of equipment. Covers Naval and Air strength and caps it all off with glorious coloured plates of the fighting men as attired in the field. The chapters are in theatre of operations and ALL combatants involved. The Silverdale imprint itself is quiet fine, but is rather spoiled by the omissions.
Andrew Mollo also has a book out in the Blandford Colour Series, 'Army Uniforms of World War 2' (ISBN 0-7137-0611-2) which is co-authored with Malcolm McGregor who provides the excellent colour plates. This work restricts itself to Uniforms only but like the above work covers each theatre and all combatants to a fairly good degree. There is a WW1 version of the series, yet I have only seen it at quiet a high price. These books are quiet small, only cover uniforms, yet are well packed with information.
The Crowood Press has an interesting pair of books by Laurent Mirouze in their Europa Militaria series. 'World War 1 Infantry in colour photographs' (ISBN 1-86126-288-4) and 'World War 2 Infantry in colour photographs' (ISBN 1-86126-287-6) both take actual uniforms from museum and private collections and Photograph them on the man. Only the major powers covered with a western front bias. But still a fine resource to have at hand. Each pair of pages has one page going over the details of the uniform and kit, and on the facing page a front and back photo of the infantryman in question.
Armour.
Most recommended are the 2 books by Steven J Zaloga, 'Armour, Camouflage and Markings' from Arms and Armour press. The first volume 'Blitzkrieg' (ISBN 0-85368-334-4) covers up to and including the Battle of France. The second volume 'The Eastern Front'( ISBN 1-85409-213-8). Both volumes look at the armour involved, are packed with photos and organisations and include colour plates useful for painting guides. The major bonus is that these works cover all combatants in their subject range. If they cover your intended army, these are MUST GETS (I cannot stress that enough)
A more involved work is Peter Chamberlin & Chris Ellis 'Pictorial history of Tanks of the world 1915-45' (ISBN 0-85368-497-9) again from Arms and Armour press. It has a very good final chapter on Miscellaneous Countries. Lavishly illustrated with black and white photos that included many prototypes and one offs as well as commercial ventures. Definitely a good buy.
Blandford press have to offer 2 good books from George Forty. 'A Photo history of Tanks in two world wars' (ISBN 0-7137-1216-3)and 'A Photo history of Armoured Cars in two world wars' (ISBN 0-7137-1215-5) which follow a similar format of some vehicle information, and at least on Black and white photo. Again a good buy.
Salamander keep re-printing their works on armour either separately or as a single volume. Its a basic works that does have colour plates of commissioned art of almost all the vehicles (again good painting guides) and basic details of each vehicle, but the work does fall down on many places. Consider it useful but not essential.
Aircraft.
Aircraft have always left me a bit cold.
there are several works available on Aircraft but the most useful for me
has been A Collins pocket book of WW2 aircraft. I am still looking for a
good all encompassing work that also covers minor powers.
Other.
If your nuts abut the Wehrmacht and Barmy about the German army keep an eye out for the Schiffer Military History by the author Wolfgang Fleischer. Of great use has been 'Captured weapons and equipment of the German Wehrmacht' (ISBN 0-7643-0526-3) which covers equipment captured and used by the Germans in WW2. It is a good source to find out what the minor nations had in the way of weapons. If you are going for a minor force in WW2 such material is probably the best place to find information on who had what.
Where to get them?
The best bet is to find a good local (ish) Specialist shop. Major Chains do carry some items of worth and could order in but you must know exactly what your looking for. Of course this varies from place to place. Also do not discount online shops and specialists. If your reading this, you should try joining the newsgroups and mail lists that suit you and ask there. The 'ere bert? library has much to recommend it, Usually accessed by saying 'ere Bert, do you know where I can get...' and Bert normally will know someone who does know if he doesn't know himself. Do not feel foolish in asking others if they have had problems with this or that on-line store.
Again me being on the edge of London I have the option of going up to the Shops in central London. Motor Books In Watkins street (right by Leicester Square Tube) is a worthwhile visit. They also do mail order via their website. Its well worth a visit and has 2 sites, one is specifically military the other more about cars, Trains etc. Its usual for them to have the latest osprey releases just on the right as you go into the door. You will want to leave your bag by the cashier, go to the back of the shop and go down the stairs in order to get the basement. Arrange to have a friend come and rescue you though, the place is a time sink!
Foyle's is another such time sink! well worth a visit. Also they have an on-line mail-order system as well as their famous London store which is the devilish combination of maze and time sink. If you don't get lost, you Will loose track of time!
Second hand book shops have much to recommend them as well, and so do chains like Waterstones, or those cheep clearance shops. You will be amazed at what can turn up when you can least afford it!
