Airplanes in Scale - The Greatest Guide Book Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

There are several dimensions to our hobby of scale modeling. There is the simple engineering to assemble/recreate what the kit designers had intended from concept and design to parts in the box. There is the Advanced Modelers Syndrome (AMS) to replicate all of those details that the kit designers left out of the box. Then there is the art of recreating the appearance of the aircraft, sometimes with little more than a grainy black and white photo as your only starting point. If you subscribe to the left-brain/right-brain concept, replication of the details in rivets, colors, etc., would be left-brain whereas the weathering and artistic license would be right-brain.

It is this latter dimension, the art (right brain), that eludes many of us. Armor modelers have been making major strides in the art of painting and weathering thanks to a wealth of products coming from companies like Vallejo, AK Interactive, MIG, and others. It has become enough of a science that the detail modelers are more comfortable with these processes. Aircraft modelers have adapted some of these techniques and products used in the armor world to add subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) wear and tear on their aircraft subjects. If you feel a bit intimidated by the art of advanced finishing and weathering, don't feel alone. In fact, here is a title that can help you move forward in this dimension of the hobby.

Aircraft in Scale - The Greatest Guide is a collection of builds created for this title complete with AMS detailing and painting, finishes, and weathering of eight popular modeling subjects. The authors walk you through each project from beginning to end including a list of the materials used to complete each project. The subjects covered in this title include:

• North American P-51D Mustang (Tamiya 1/48)
• Macchi C.202 (Hasegawa 1/48)
• Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 (Eduard 1/48)
• Dewoitine D.520 (Tamiya 1/48)
• Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Hasegawa 1/48)
• de Havilland Mosquito NF.II (Tamiya 1/48)
• Mikoyan MiG-3 (Trumpeter 1/48)
• Messerschmitt Me 262A (Tamiya 1/48)

There is a load of great ideas and information in this well-illustrated 200-page title (all in English by the way) from how to scratch-build your own gun bays into the Eduard Bf 109 to making your own Hinomaru paint masks for your IJA/IJN subjects. Many of the techniques used can be time consuming, but their results are worth the effort.

This is a great new title from Accion Press that will be one you'll want near your bench or nightstand when you're looking for ideas or inspiration to apply to your next project. This title is currently available direct from the publisher (click the link below) and will find its way into other stores soon.

Definitely recommended!

Note: This title is now imported into the U.S. by Stevens International so American readers can ask their hobby shop to order you a copy.

My sincere thanks to Accion Press for this review sample!