Armour Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) [Spiral-bound]

John Prigent (Author)

Book Description

Series: Modelling Masterclass | Publication Date: November 28, 2006

This book sets out to answer a wide range of modelers' 'how-to' questions. It begins by showing all the things that need to be done to build a first model. Paints, glues, knives and other basic tools are introduced. Then it moves on to the use of accessories - etched metal sets, turned metal gun barrels, and simple resin conversions. Here the more specialised tools, such as those made for work with etched metal, are discussed. The book includes sections covering working safely with resin, adding camouflage finishes by brush, spray can and airbrush, and ways of reproducing the German anti-magnetic Zimmerit finish that troubles many modellers. The various types of replacement tank tracks are shown with ways to build and paint them, and the different challenges of modeling wheeled vehicles are also addressed.

The book continues with demonstrations of how to build a complex conversion or a complete resin kit as well as more simple scratchbuilding (working form raw materials rather than prefabricated kit parts). Researching and making decals for markings when there are no ready-made ones available, display bases and figures are also covered. Everything is straightforwardly explained and clearly illustrated by numerous photographs of steps in the various processes and of finished models.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This title is a worthy addition to the other books in this series and deserves to become a classic along with them... Regardless of the skill level of the modeler, there is much between these covers that will be of interest and of clear benefit." -Frank De Sisto, missing-lynx.com

"...you are shown everything you need to produce a superlative replica and with several examples to help you along. If you get no other book on armor modeling, this is the one you simply must have. It is that good." -Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

About the Author

John Prigent built his first tank model in 1947 using cardboard from breakfast cereal packets and has been modelling ever since using all the materials available. He wrote two books for Darlington Publications, contributed to the first four armour books in the original Osprey Modelling series, and has also served as technical proofreader for both armour and modelling books from various publishers. Since 1970 he has contributed many articles and news columns to magazines such as Military Modelling, Boresight, IPMS Magazine and Scale Models International. He retired in 2004 as an armour class judge at Euromilitaire. In addition to John, this volume will contain the work of three other modellers of international reputation: Steve Zaloga, Frank De Sisto and Nic Cortese. These three will be building a selection of the models. John Prigent lives in Sussex, UK.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 192 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841769746
• ISBN-13: 978-1841769745
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 1 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best resource on scale modelling tanks and other armored vehicles..., October 6, 2007

By 

J. Monty (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Armour Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Spiral-bound)

If you want to learn more about scale modelling (armored vehicles specifically) than this book is "the" book to own. It's been put together almost like a cook book with an extremely sturdy reinforced external cover and then the book inside is spiral bound (sturdy plastic spiral) so it has been well designed to be placed open on your home workbench (without the pages flipping or book closing itself). The topics covered include everything you could or would need to know about building scale models of armored subjects. The chapters include: Tools/Materials/Paints, Example building tiger tank, painting and finishing, creating bases, working with photo-etched metal, working with resin and white metal, scratch building conversions, at least 3 more example model building instructions, a final chapter on reference and research. The pictures are color, very detailed and well chosen to provide reference for the written sub-sections. The overview of tools is current, and very complete going over photo-etch bending tools such as the hold-and-fold, the grab handler, the brass-assist tool, etc. The price of this book is absolutely worth it considering it really is like a school text book or a very detailed cook book for the scale model builder. If you are just getting into this hobby and like building armored subjects I would say this book is an absolute must own (even if you have been building models for a few years you will still find some very good info). I was hesitant at first since the price is a bit higher than most other how-to type books but once you have it in your hand you will understand that this isn't at all like most modelling books and that even paying 25% more, this book would still be an excellent value... 5 stars all the way.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant reference, May 6, 2009

By 

R. Isaac (Hamilton, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Armour Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Spiral-bound)

I am a modeller returning from a long 'leave' of some 25 odd years and I have to be truthful, with the amount of new 'stuff' out there, photo etch, acrylic paints, resin, white metal etc etc, it was pretty daunting to open a 'modern' kit and finish it to any standard! So this is where this book sells itself. Concise, very informative and 'recipe type' instructions are great for the likes of me. I like the authors writing style and his way of explaining things. The only thing I struggle with a little is the figure painting, particularly faces, as I could have done with a real step-by-step, almost infant teaching style with this, but that's just personal and something for me to work on.
Covers all those topics like photo etch and painting techniques that I needed to bring me up to the modern way of modelling.
Overall a great reference for plebes like me and a good refresher I'm sure for those who know a thing or two.
I gave it four stars as it covered the subjects I wanted to know now well but I would have to take his word for it over other subjects that I just haven't got to in my modelling experience to date! All round worth the money spent to get it here to NZ!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep this one handy on the shelf close by, great reference book, October 23, 2009

By 

Michael P. Lefand (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Armour Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Spiral-bound)

I have just started building plastic model kits again and boy have they changed since I last put one together 40 years ago. I have stated purchasing books on this hobby to get me back up to speed. First off the book is well constructed with a heavy duty cover and the spiral binding lets the pages fall nice and flat for viewing while using it for reference during the building assembly of a model. The is a great book for armored vehicle models, lots of tips and details with, and this is important to me, color photos that follow the text in a step by step manner. Not like some books that just show the finished model. There are some pages on painting figures, but the main thrust is armored vehicles. This is by no means a complete reference book on the subject but I have found it to be very useful, I have already incorporated some of the things I learned in two of my latest models. It is a book I know I will find myself going back to over again many times as I progress with my skills. I highly recommend this book.