Supermarine Spitfire (Osprey Modelling Manuals 18) [Paperback]

Jerry Scutts (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Modelling Manuals | Publication Date: March 25, 2002

Osprey Modelling Manual 18 examines Reginald Mitchell’s classic Spitfire — the only RAF type in continuous production throughout WWII (over 20,000 were built in some 40 major variations), and an airframe adaptable as a fighter, fighter-bomber and PR aircraft. This book provides all the details needed to model the main Spitfire Marks — the Mks V and IX — and other Spitfire variants. Includes a full roundup of the models available on the market, details of where you can see the real thing, a select bibliography, and survey of websites of interest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book isn't a Spitfire "bible" and it doesn't claim to be, but it is a very useful general guide to modelling the aircraft. The featured models are excellent and the detailed builds will provide plenty of help and inspiration for Spitfire models and WW2 aircraft in general." -Rowan Baylis, AeroScale

From the Publisher

A perfect combination of easy-to-follow text combined with comprehensive step-by-step photography make Osprey Modelling Manuals indispensable reference guides for modellers of all standards and abilities.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (March 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841762660
• ISBN-13: 978-1841762661
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,958,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of money, October 25, 2002

By 

Seanski "seanski" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supermarine Spitfire (Osprey Modelling Manuals 18) (Paperback)

Unfortunately, this book shows it's age (it shows that Spanish original was published in 1992) and in its case this is not a good thing.

First, the choice of models - authors use Hasegawa's Mk.V's (in regular and trop versions) in "Modeling the Spitfire Mk.V" chapter, then convert Tamiya's Mk.Vb to Mk.IXc and build PR.XIX using multimedia model of unknown (or at least unknown to me) company called "Casadio" in chapter called "Building Other Spitfire Variants". They also try to describe other models and aftermarket items, but fail miserably in doing so.

Second, writing style reminds of a good, typical "feature article" that is now common on the modeling websites. There is some information in it, but it doesn't go deep enough to satisfy but the least experienced reader. For example authors only keep informing about steps taken - saying "Then we (...) re-engraved the joint lines" or "Lens covers can then simply be made by scratch building the parts". In the same spirit, authors somehow manage to describe process of converting wing from "b" to "c" configuration without giving away a single useful piece of advice!

Third, pictures don't help much. Some are very informative (definitively giving more information than text), but there is not enough of the ones that show the process. Instead there is a plenty of ones that show effects of authors actions. In case of converting Mk.V to Mk.IX authors describe little surgery they did on kits nose (replacing it with resin part) using maybe five, six sentences and give absolutely no pictures! The same happens with the above mentioned wing conversion. Can you imagine? The "meat" of the conversion is reduced to few remarks and what the reader is left with is nice description of painting the camouflage.

To summarize, even though this book is relatively cheap, your money will be better spent on other references. For example books from SAM Publications in their "datafile" series, even twice the price, offer much more "bang for the buck" than this "modelers reference" (quotes intentional).

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless, August 1, 2004

By 

S. Maire "Stephen" (Pakkret, Nonthaburi Thailand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Supermarine Spitfire (Osprey Modelling Manuals 18) (Paperback)

For anyone with any experience, save your money and spend it on a kit or aftermarket materials rather than this book. You will get nothing from the book.

If you are an absolute beginner and want a look at what exists beyond "straight from the box" building, this begins to give you a look, although you would be better off investing in Kalmbach's P-40 or Me-109 books.