PMMS

bookArmour Modelling
The essential guide for the serious modeller
Osprey Masterclass
John Prigent
Published by Osprey Publishing.

Hard cover spiral bound, 192 pages
ISBN 1-84176-974-6

Review by Terry Ashley


This new Armour Modelling book by John Prigent in the Osprey Masterclass series is a spiral bound, hard cover book with 192 pages and covers virtually every aspect of modelling from kits, different tools and materials, working with different media such as resin, etched metal and of course plastic as well as dealing with figure painting and scratch building.

The book is entirely in colour with a good mix of photos and text to fully illustrate and explain the sequences and techniques being explained and being spiral bound allows you to lay the book out flat without fear of damaging the spine, a very handy feature if using the book as guide for your own projects.

The chapters get progressively more advanced ranging from a basic out of the box build through to extensive detailing with added resin and brass to scratch building to casting your own parts. There are sections dealing with reference and research as well as listing many current on-line resources including manufacturers, on-line shops and general modelling sites adding another dimension other than just a modelling book.

I will step through each chapter with a brief description to best illustrate what is in the book.

It starts with the table of contents and a Forward by Ken Jones of Military Modelling magazine and a brief introduction by John Prigent before moving on to chapter 1.

Chapter 1: Tools, materials and paint (pages 6-13)
This chapter gives a rundown of the basic tools you would need to build any model as well as dealing with different glues and the possible applications to paints, brushes. It also briefly mentions things like masking tape and additional tools such as drill bits, power tools and etched bending tools to provide a basic understanding of what is needed before getting into the model.

Chapter 2: Building Dragon's initial Tiger (pages 14-33)
This is the most basic chapter dealing with building Dragon’s Tiger I (kit #6252) and starts by mentioning such things as studying then instructions and planning for any options provided in the kit which may seem basic and taken for grated by many but can save problems along the way if not overlooked.

The remainder steps through building the model from taking the parts off the sprues, cleaning up the parts for gluing, filling any seams as well as masking for painting. It also deals with adding the etched parts included in the kit as well as basic painting techniques to get the best results.

This chapter covers most of the basics for anyone just starting out in the hobby with the clear photos complimenting the text.

Chapter 3 More painting and finishing ideas and simple improvement (pages 32-47)
This chapter sort of follows from the first and deals with additional painting techniques using brushes and airbrushes and different painting techniques for different applications. It also mentions the different types of decals from water slide, rub on and stencils to adding weathering such as winter whitewash and scratches.

The final section could almost be a chapter on it’s own as it deals with figure painting with step by step photos showing the painting of basic figures as well as minor alterations like changing the head to alter the appearance from the stock figure.

Chapter 4: The basics of bases (pages 48-59)
This chapter deals with creating basic bases to sit your pride and joy on as this has a number of advantages over just the model, you don’t have touch the finished model again and gives a ‘frame’ to view the model.

Firstly there is a simple scenic base with a step by step guide on adding groundwork, foliage from different sources and painting; this is followed by building a base using commercially available cast plaster or resin street segments and building faces.
The photos again compliment the text and give a good insight for anyone tackling their first display base.

Chapter 5: Working with etched metal (pages 60-73)
As the name suggests this chapter covers the basics of using etched parts and mentions the various tools available for bending sharp angles as well as creating curves and making grab handles from wire. The notes should be useful for anyone not familiar with etched parts or those wanting some extra tips.

Chapter 6: Kits with resin and white-metal parts (pages 74-91)
The next medium covered is resin and white metal with brief rundown on resin in general and these deals with removing the casting blocks from parts and attaching both big and small parts to models as well as describing different types of glues such as cyanoacrylate (super glue) and two part epoxy used to attach the parts.

The second part of the chapter is related to white metal parts that differ slightly in the way they are handled from resin but much the same when assembling and includes examples of resin, etched and metal parts being fitted to a couple of models with more detailed photos to illustrate the text.

Chapter 7: A simple scratch-built conversion (pages 92-103)
This is the first chapter dedicated to building and actual model and is somewhat ironic as it deals with converting the Tamiya M2A2 Half-track to the M2, which we well know is now available from Dragon (kit #6329).

The chapter steps you through the conversion as well as adding the Plus Models White 160AX engine (set #151) and numerous other etched and resin parts for what is quite and extensive conversion.

Included is a set of 1:35 plans of the M2 as well as plenty of detailed photos showing the progress of the conversion and while it may seem academic due to the Dragon kit release it can also be used as a guide to detail that kit.

Chapter 8: Hotchkiss Geschutzwagen by Steve Zaloga (pages 104-125)
This is an extensive update/conversion of the Trupmeter 39(H) 10.5cm Le.FH 18(Sf) (kit #00353) and the Blast Models update sets (#BL35066K) plus other accessory sets as well as a fair bit of scratch built items.

As well as the good close up progress shots of the model during construction there is a also an extensive section on painting the model, building a small base to house the model as well as the construction and painting of a British infantry figure to go in the scene.

The chapter also includes the detailed text to compliment to photos and covers well the building of this particular model as well as outlining techniques applicable to any build.

Also included are a brief history of the vehicle and a list of kits, update sets and other parts used in the construction.

Chapter 9: Sturmgeschutz IV by Gary Edmundson (pages 126-151)
This chapter is another extensive kit bash type article by combining the lower hull from the Tamiya Panzer IV J (kit #35181) and the upper hull from the Tamiya StuG III G (kit #35197) plus additional etched and plastic parts.

The chapter also includes sections on casting your own resin parts as well as working the plastic card, etched parts and adding zimmerit from putty and again has many photos of the model under construction to compliment the text.

As with the previous chapter there is also a section on painting and weathering the model and the building of a small scenic base with three figures to add life to the scene and again provides plenty of information and tips for this model and any other project.

Also included are a brief history of the vehicle and a list of kits, update sets and other parts used in the construction.

Chapter 10: IDF Tiran 5 Main Battle Tank by Nick Cortese (pages 152-173)
This final chapter on actual models is an extensive conversion and detailing exercise of the Tamiya T-55A (kit #35257) with the Blast Models Tiran 5 update (set #BL35019K) plus the Verlinden engine and numerous other update sets all listed within the article.

The many close-up detail shots show the construction of the model from start to finish and again are complimented with the descriptive text and can easily be used as a guide to doing your own conversion.

Finally there is a detailed walk through of the painting and weathering process to again give a detailed coverage from start to finish of the techniques uses and again are applicable to this or any model.

Again included are a brief history of the vehicle and a list of kits, update sets and other parts used in the construction.

Chapter 11: References and research (pages 1 74-179)
This chapter deals with an often overlook aspect of model building, that of research and references and gives a brief rundown of the types of reference available from magazines, books as well as Internet sites that offer information to modellers as well as real vehicles in Museums and private collections.

There are lists are various modelling web sites (thanks for the mention John), Museums both with a web presents and without plus other resources that could be of use in your research.

A very useful additional over the pure modelling articles in the previous chapters.

Chapter 12: Sources (pages 180-187)
This final chapters list the addresses, contact details and website URLs if applicable of many of the major model producing companies both for full kits through to detail and update sets.

Also listed are major Mail Order shops and Bookshop/Publishers with a web presents giving the contact details and URL for another useful resource for the modeller.

At the back is the usual index to help you find things quicker within the book

Conclusion:
This is an extensive modelling manual for the modeller and has something for beginners as well as more experienced modellers with the articles provide good step by step guides to building the actual model featured yourself or using the information when working on your own projects.

The inclusion of the additional sections on references and other sources makes this more than just a straight modelling manual into a complete reference with something for everyone.

Highly recommended

Sample pages
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Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review book.



Page created December 11, 2006

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