Customer Reviews

Gerry Anderson's UFO: Technical Manual

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Perhaps my expectations were too high? I was expecting something along the lines of Graham Bleathman's illustrations, whereas this book is quite different. The computer generated models of the various craft are variable in quality and, whilst the detail and rendering of weathered surfaces is good, many of the images suffer from a common, irritating problem in that the graphics software used has difficulty in producing natural looking curved lines. Instead of curved edges the illustrations often break up into an angular, polygonal lines - rather like a join the dots puzzle. This seems to have been addressed to a degree on the outer edges of the illustrations where they have been scribed to lay on a white background, but internal curved lines are typically wonky. The Mobile, Interceptor and Lunar Carrier/Module are the most affected sections. The first subject, SID and the last, a UFO, are modelled far better than the rest of the illustrations. If the images were amateur, fan-produced computer models on the Internet then that would be one thing, but I expect somehting rather more professional in a publication. Once you are aware of the angular snag your eye gets drawn to it all the time - rather like when you first notice motion blur on LCD televisions. A pity, as the text, labelling and frame grabs that accompany the illustrations are fine.

So, as per the title of this review, the thunbnails and other images on web sites like Amazon aren't large enough to reveal the flaws. I recommend that you handle a copy of the book and take a closer look before parting with your money. Frankly, I wish that I hadn't bothered ordering it.

I won't call this a definitive technical manual for Gerry Anderson's UFO television series. Not by a long shot. What I will say is this book is a good reference for the various ships and bases of SHADO along with some sparse, but useful info about the alien invaders. However that's about all the technical info you get. Nothing on weapons, equipment, personal vehicles like Straker's car, why moon girls have purple wigs, etc. Because of this I cannot really call this a real technical manual. More like a guide to the vehicles and locales of the show.

The ship information is pretty good, at least for one or two page profiles per ship. You get info on functionality, weaponry, armor, propulsion, and more. Sorry... no cut out views of the inner workings of the vehicles (and I know some exist from seeing them in previously published items). Also while you get a good amount of details it is in no way complete. This irks me because I know those additional details that were left out do exist (again from earlier materials). So while this book has some cool info for UFO fans it's not a single source for the material.

Also for a large "coffee table" book it's pretty short on useful pages. Like I said each vehicles gets maybe a page or two of info. Then you get a "case study", which is essentially a single episode guide that references the vehicle. In other words filler. It's aggravating to see pages that could have been used to add more established details on the show's technology used as such a waste.

One other thing to note. This tech manual has an entry for the alien UFO. The very thought of getting a chance to peek inside what makes those ships tick got me excited... until I got the book. You know how those secretive aliens never let SHADO get a good assessment of their technology? Well after 30+ years it seems we still don't. You would figure after all this time they could at least let the cat out of the bag and give us some real meat on the UFO's. That would be been enough to forgive all the other shortcomings. As it stands it just further's my belief that this is an incomplete book.

I also want to say the graphics on this book are nowhere near as bad as other reviewers may say. Yes they are computer generated graphics, but they look like they could have been photographs of models. Nothing polygonal about the curves in the book I have.

So the big question you are probably asking would be, "is it worth it?" I think that depends on what you have already. If you have next to nothing regarding the show then this is a really nice book to have. It does give a lot of cool info, even if it's not everything. Now if you are somebody who has been collecting all the lost and forgotten lore from the series I don't think you will find much more on this book you don't already know or have (in other words maybe get it on the cheap). Personally I'm glad I have in spite of the shortcomings.

I had this book on order for over a year. Each month Amazon would write me a note "Hey you still want it?" I'd say.. yes.

Chris Bentley might have had "Something" early on.. but that is now gone.

He had a shot at making this "Tech Manual" really something special. This book is not special. Not at all.

UFO is one of my Favorite all time 1960's Sci-Fi TV series. I just wrote Chris another check.

Boy.. .now I can't wait for what new/used up old junk info he will "Surface" for me to waste my money on?

Coffee table book? Why?

Where is the "Tech" manual? At least the "Thunderbirds" had cutaways. We had an idea how those "Puppets" made their ships work.

Total let down. Do NOT waste your money. ALSO.. I paid a lot more. Ordered mine from Amazon UK.

Length:: 0:41 Mins

As the other reviewer mentions, the pictures are basically a 2D illustration, made to look a bit 3D. But with few books dedicated to the UFO series, and to the gear / ships used, it can be useful for your reference library. The illustrations could have been a lot worse. Also, Each section (almost each page) has small, color thumbnail photos from the series. The hardware covered are SID, Interceptors, Skydiver / Sky One, the ground Mobiles, Lunar Carrier (the red space ship), the Moonmobile, and the Shadair Mobile Transporter air craft, Shadair Seagull supersonic passenger jet, and of course, the UFO ship. Moonbase and SHADO (Harlington-Straker Studios) are represented in photos. typically by books like these because I am a model builder, and I find them good reference, for the tech end and for painting guides. The book I received was 14 x 11, so it's a bit large, which is a bonus I feel. To show my age, I remember watching this series as a kid, and have always been a fan.

This is a fairly good reference with 3-D pics of the actual items. Unfortunately it is not a technical manual in details. This would be a fair buy, only to the interest on those who watch the show or have the DVD collection would appreciate. While the images are clear and quite large, there is very little to explain how or why things work in the manual.

This is one awesome book. With the huge color drawings it is very useful for modelers or just people who want to know some of the details that you would not have known by just watching the show alone. Also it is a great book for the coffee table, very attention grabbing. It has been criticized as being sparce on info. No its not an encyclopedia on the subject. What it is , is a wonderful color illustrated book that you can be proud of. Very well done. Its a keeper!

I always base my judgement, prior to purchasing a book, on the various positive/negative comments entered on a readers' review site. Before I ordered this book on Amazon, I read every piece of critieria on GERRY ANDERSON'S UFO: TECHNICAL MANUAL. But given the fact that I was (and still am) a die-hard fan of every facet of the show, plus the limited amount of literature available on one of the UK's best sci-fi shows, I ordered the book anyway. Upon receipt, I was surprised at its oversized configuration; however, upon opening and quickly browsing through its pages, I almost went through the roof!!! All the negative criticism on this page went out the window. What a masterpiece! The work covers all the basic equipment utilized by SHADO, including the rival alien UFO, in all its three-views and artistic integrity--very detailed indeed. As a former designer & draftsman, I can attest to the wonderfully-laid out color drawings and the attention to detail. NOT BAD AT ALL! The accompanying full-color photos, although small, are fairly crisp and detailed,and the text surprisingly informative. I think authors Nick Foreman and Chris Bentley did a magnificent job compiling this book. Next to my other books, UFO & SPACE:1999 by Chris Drake and THE COMPLETE GERRY ANDERSON, not to mention my DVD collection of both UFO and SPACE:1999, this technical manual book is a perfect addition, and I say to it: "Welcome to the Family!!!". Regardless of the negative hits it has taken as far as criticism, I nevertheless recommend this work to any die-hard fan of UFO, SPACE:1999 or any other Gerry Anderson show. Now...if Mr. Foreman and Mr. Bentley could publish a similarly-formatted book titled GERRY ANDERSON'S SPACE:1999: TECHNICAL MANUAL, this would ultimately fulfill my entire collection and we'd be in business!