CMP Book

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally posted by Rolf S. Ask
Since we are into new CMP books, how is it with the project you had a while back David??

My concept for David's book is an historical overview of CMPs. This would be one of four titles in a small series that I am doing ("Tools of the Trade" which is already in print, "Secret Weapons of the Canadian Army" which is at the printers right now, "CMPs in Canadian Service" which I hope to see completed within the next two years (this is the book that I have asked David to do), and "Camouflage and Markings of Canadian Vehicles" which, right now, is a cooperative venture with myself, Steve Guthrie and Don Dingwall. This last book won't be ready for several years as the research continues.

My question on this title is that I want to do a photo book on Canadian CMPs (or maybe a broader book which will include pre-and post-war MV in Canada). I hesitate to put too much text because, quite frankly, I want this to be concentrated more on photos. I question whether tech specs should be included. If they are, should they be the same that already appear in Gregg's books and other pubs (AEDB reports, etc...) or should they just be the minimum, i.e., 3-ton, 6x6 plus wheel-base and engine size.

My photo source is the Canadian Archives where I have located all of the photos used by Gregg, and more! Most of the photos show two views. There are also many more trailers. Previous experience in obtaining photos from individuals on the web have been difficult. Photos that are scanned at low-res for web purposes are useless for commercial publication, and photos scanned from other books lead to both technical (Moire pattern) and legal (copyright) issues, so I find myself forced to use whatever I can find at Archives.

The book will not be aimed at MLU'ers who already know more about the subject than the average enthusiast will ever learn. I target my books to militaria shops, hobby shops and museums and don't want to turn them off with a book that is too technical.

As much as I would like to include a mini-history of each detailing when they started/stopped manufacture, who used them and where, etc... This would entail extensive research - and I'm not convinced that I will uncover that level of detail in the surviving archives.

More dialogue is encouraged.

Typical photos are;