Belgian JPK90

Introduction

The KanonenJagdPanzer (KaJaPa) was initially developed for Bundeswehr requirements and the Belgian Army was the only export user where it was known as JPK90. The Bundeswehr design was improved in the transmission, suspension, and fire control components and Lyran flare launchers were added. The JPK90 was used in the Belgian antitank units alongside M113 MILAN carriers (M113A1-B-MIL). Seen sparingly in other general armor books, this is the first time it's been covered in such detail.

Review

The book is softcover A4 size in landscape format and 68 pages with approximately 200 photographs.

Very informative introduction regarding the selection of the JPK, improvements made, capabilities and utilization within the Belgian Army.

The subsequent chapters are:

1. In Service - photographs of the JPK90 in action
2. 360 - walkaround of a still-running JPK90 at the Gunfire Museum at Brasschaat
3. The Running Gear - details of the Marder suspension, roadwheels and tracks
4. Hull Front - features of the front hull and the 90mm gun
5. Around the Sides - tool fittings along the hull sides
6. The Rear Hull - toolboxes and other stowage items on the rear hull
7. Topside - crew hatches and other hull top fittings
8. The Interior - coverage of the interior with crew positions and ammo stowage
9. Engine and Transmission - everything you see with the engine hatch open and an extracted powerpack
10. In Preservation - pictures of the 7 remaining JPK90s

Conclusion

This is the best book covering the JPK90. True to the Model Foto Focus series, there a vast amount of detail.

It's a great book for someone who wants to know more about Cold War Belgian armor and for the model builders it's a good reference to finish off the new RetroTracks JPK90 kit or convert the Revell KaJaPa kit. I'm excited to see what comes next for Belgian armor.