Scrapyard Armour Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | September 2017 | Title | Scrapyard Armour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | David Parker, Mark Neville, Andy Taylor | Publisher | AFV Modeller |
| Published | 2017 | ISBN | 9780993564604 |
| Format | 118 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $28.50 |
Review
Call it 118 pages of unadulterated modeling genius. And pure pleasure.
The authors of Scrapyard Armour operate from a simple premise: that with the right techniques, junked tanks can inspire miniature masterpieces.
The pithy paperback from AFV Modeller - available in North America from Casemate - details three 1/35-scale model projects:
- "Trisected T-62"
- "Green Around The Gills" T-62 BDD and
- "Georgian T-55"
Each section sports dozens of crisp, sequential project photos. David Parker, Mark Neville, and Andy Taylor expertly illustrate the art of duplicating dilapidation in miniature.
Faded finishes. Peeling paint. Rust. Dirt. Dust. And plain old decay. Just savor the amazing artistry on page 42 alone.
A separate, 41-page "scrapyard" section - the book's centerfold, if you will - includes dozens more shots of the actual Russian derelicts that prompted AFV Modeller's three projects.
Leonardo da Vinci reportedly urged students to seek beauty in "urine stains on a wall". Apocryphal or not, that phrase simply confirms the brilliance of this book: when modelers value originality and innovation, even the mundane inspires, elevating hobby to art.
That's the lesson AFV Modeller's ripping reference packs for hobbyists. Raw novices and seasoned pros alike will love this handy handbook.
Rabidly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Casemate Publishing for this review sample!