The World Encyclopedia of Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles

George Forty's comprehensive reference work stands as a substantial contribution to military history literature, offering readers an exhaustive survey of armoured warfare vehicles from their inception through modern times. This encyclopedia represents decades of research and expertise, compiled by an author whose credentials in military history are well-established through numerous publications on armoured warfare and World War II combat operations.

The volume's scope is immediately impressive, featuring over 400 different vehicles spanning more than a century of armoured fighting vehicle development. From the earliest experimental tanks that lumbered across World War I battlefields to contemporary main battle tanks equipped with advanced targeting systems and composite armour, the encyclopedia traces the technological evolution of armoured warfare. The collection encompasses not only tanks in the traditional sense but also self-propelled guns, armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and various specialized armoured vehicles that have played crucial roles in military operations.

The photographic content forms a cornerstone of the book's value, with approximately 1200 images providing visual documentation of the vehicles discussed. These photographs draw from both wartime archives and modern collections, offering readers the opportunity to examine vehicles in their operational contexts as well as in more recent museum settings or military displays. The historical photographs capture armoured vehicles in action during major conflicts, while contemporary images allow for detailed examination of preserved examples. This dual approach serves both historical documentation and technical reference purposes effectively.

The organizational structure of the encyclopedia facilitates both casual browsing and focused research. Vehicles are presented in a systematic manner that allows readers to track the development of armoured fighting vehicles across different nations and eras. Each entry provides essential technical specifications, including dimensions, weight, armament, armour thickness, engine specifications, and performance characteristics such as maximum speed and operational range. This standardized approach to presenting information makes comparison between different vehicles straightforward and enhances the book's utility as a reference tool.

Historical context accompanies the technical data, with entries explaining the circumstances that led to each vehicle's development, its intended role on the battlefield, and its operational history. Combat records, production numbers, and service periods receive attention, providing readers with understanding of how these machines performed in actual military service rather than merely their theoretical capabilities. The encyclopedia acknowledges both successful designs that influenced subsequent development and less successful vehicles that revealed the challenges inherent in armoured vehicle design.

The international scope of the coverage ensures balanced representation of armoured fighting vehicle development across major military powers. British, American, German, Soviet, and French vehicles receive thorough treatment, reflecting their significant contributions to armoured warfare doctrine and technology. The encyclopedia also includes vehicles from other nations, recognizing that innovation and practical application of armoured vehicles extended beyond the largest military powers. This global perspective enriches understanding of how different tactical doctrines and industrial capabilities shaped vehicle design choices.

Technical illustrations and photographs work in concert to explain both external appearance and internal mechanisms where relevant. The visual material helps clarify how various armour schemes, suspension systems, and turret designs evolved in response to changing battlefield requirements and technological capabilities. Details such as track configurations, vision devices, and weapon mounting arrangements become clear through the photographic documentation.

The encyclopedia's treatment of armoured vehicle evolution acknowledges the interplay between offensive and defensive technologies. As anti-tank weapons grew more sophisticated and powerful, armour protection schemes adapted through increased thickness, sloped designs, and eventually composite materials. Similarly, tank armament evolved from small-calibre guns suitable for infantry support to high-velocity weapons capable of engaging other armoured vehicles at extended ranges. These technological arms races receive appropriate attention throughout the volume.

For military history enthusiasts, model builders, and researchers seeking reliable technical information, this encyclopedia provides a valuable consolidated resource. The extensive photographic coverage offers visual reference material that proves particularly useful for those interested in accurate historical representation. The technical specifications enable meaningful comparisons between vehicles and support understanding of tactical doctrine development. While the sheer volume of information might initially seem overwhelming, the systematic organization and clear presentation make the content accessible to readers with varying levels of prior knowledge about armoured warfare. George Forty has assembled a reference work that serves both immediate informational needs and longer-term research purposes, earning its place among significant contributions to military history documentation.