2010 is well and truly upon us and quess what?

Osprey Publishing have started the year with a superb new release.

Expanding on their ever growing range of naval reference books, Osprey Publishing have announced the release of US Destroyers 1934–45: Pre-war classes in their Vanguard range.

Written by Dave McComb this book sets out concisely and clearly the details of the 169 ships of ten classes introduced in the 1930s: early 1,500-tonners and 1,850-ton destroyer leaders designed to conform to the 1930 London Naval Treaty, plus the successor 1,570-ton Sims class and 1,620- and 1,630-ton Benson and Gleaves classes. In wartime, most 1,500-tonners and leaders initially saw front line duty in the Pacific but were relegated to secondary assignments as newer vessels arrived; while the later 1,620- and 1,630-tonners became the standard destroyers of the Atlantic War.

This account totaling 48 pages and reveals the fascinating design story behind these pioneering classes – from the constraints of peacetime treaties to advances in propulsion engineering, and wartime modifications.

Complete with an operational overview of their service and tables listing all ships by class, builder, and initial squadron, this is the definitive guide to the pre-war US destroyer classes.

Illustrated by Paul Wright this promises to be a fine addition to any US Navy modelshipwrights reference library.

This book is available now and it has a current retail price UK pounds 9.99.

Please note that these prices are approximately and indicative only as supplied by the Vendor.

The final precise retail price of any item to a purchaser can be uncertain at any time due to various variables.

Therefore we recommend that the final precise retail price should be verified with the Vendor.

Image courtesy of Osprey Publishing.