Finishing Scale Ship Models: Detailing And Painting Techniques [Hardcover]

Tom Gorman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2006

As every modeler knows, one of the most difficult aspects of ship modeling is the painting and fine detailing. According to the author of this book, Tom Gorman, who is one of the most highly respected modelers in the profession, it’s what separates the good from the "also ran." For those struggling to put the final touches on their scale ship models, this new manual will come as a godsend.

Profusely illustrated in both color and black and white, the book first takes on the painting of models, outlining techniques for both wood and plastic and then addressing the different approaches needed for hulls and superstructures, decks and fittings. He describes all the equipment needed and tells how to prepare the surfaces and apply the sealing and priming coats, and explains brushwork, spraying, air-brushing, and varnishing. The second part of the book deals with the fittings and explains how to make lifeboats, rafts, and carley floats, and tells how to make all the deck machinery and hull fittings, funnels and masts, as well as anchors and bollards, among other things. Whether you are a modeler aspiring to competition status or at the early stage of your career, the wealth of practical information provided in this manual will help transform your model to the highest standards and should find a place on every modeler’s workbench.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Gorman, a former marine engineer, has been a professional ship modeler for more than twenty years. He is the author of Working Scale Model Merchant Ships and Scale Model Ship Propulsion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 119 pages
• Publisher: Naval Inst Pr (August 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591142733
• ISBN-13: 978-1591142737
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,246,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A step in the right direction..., September 23, 2008

By 

James M. Nelson "blacksmithn" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finishing Scale Ship Models: Detailing And Painting Techniques (Hardcover)

I have a confession-- my main interest is NOT in building ship models. I'm a model railroader and, since my planned layout will be built with an extensive harbor scene, I found myself in need of a small fleet of model vessels.

Discovering that the cost of such an armada in kit form was close to the national defense budget of Canada, I decided to try my hand at scratchbuilding. As with most things, and especially with model railroading, the devil is in the details. I understand how to weather a diesel locomotive or how to detail a decrepit boxcar, but I have almost NO understanding of how to do either to a ship model! And, frankly ship modellers, there is precious little out there in the literature about how to do either. This book helps remedy that lack.

It clearly and concisely explains the difference between, say, a binnacle and a windlass and shows examples-- both models and in real life-- of both. Similarly, it shows examples in real life and model format of weathering and explains some rudimentary techniques for achieving it.

Curiously, however, the book falls short in the modelling department. The author may show you numerous pictures of various deck winches, but provides almost no explanation of how to actually model one. And this holds true for each category of detail, as far as I can tell.

So, in short, if you're looking for examples of what one might actually see on the deck of a ship, this book is a big help. If you're expecting tips for building a model of these examples, you may want to look elsewhere. Is the book worth the money? Well, for me-- with only a sketchy idea of what the deck of a working ship might look like-- it was.

Now, if I could only find a book with tips on how to build a deck littered with capstans, bights, cargo winches, cranes, derricks, and coils of cable and rope, instead of just showing me what they look like!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Model ship builder's aid., January 16, 2007

By 

Peter Fitness (Lennox Head, Australia.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finishing Scale Ship Models: Detailing And Painting Techniques (Hardcover)

I found this book extremely well written and presented, and very informative. It is sure to be a very handy reference when the all important job of finishing a model arrives. I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Modelers Need this book!, January 13, 2012

By 

ravenwoman "gem seeker" (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finishing Scale Ship Models: Detailing And Painting Techniques (Hardcover)

The merchants sent this book out in great condition, in a timely manner, great packaging, and exactly as described. This is THE book to have if you are into creating models, vintage techniques, aging qualities on your art pieces. Highly recommended.