discussion Book recommendations?

[pjgtech]

Hi, I'm looking for any recommendations of a good modern, up to date, scale model book on techniques, materials, etc.

I just bought a couple of scale model books from Chris Ellis, the scale modellers handbook and how to go plastic modelling.
TBH I was a bit underwhelmed, mainly cos (to me) they are a bit out of date....

Both written in the 1970's so there's (obviously) little to no mention of modern materials and techniques.
Obviously the basic techniques of how to build a scale model has not changed that much, I get that.
But we do now use a lot of modern materials, eg: CA (in its various types), pigments, fixers, fillers, a vast array of paints, thinners, resins, 3d printers, Photo Etch, decal fix/set, etc, etc, as well as many new tools and gadgets.

So I guess I'm just looking for a similar type of book to the above, just a bit more up to date?
Thanx for any recommendations you can give, cheers.

 

[AlexBB]

Hi Peter,
I have found that all of the AK Learning series are quite good.. but there is of course a caveat on these types of books as they are specific brand issued they will target any techniques using that brands products, this however can of course generally be translated to other brands similar products.
The AK ones deal with specific areas or techniques in each book, so getting a full set can be a bit pricey.

It is useful to note that AK Interactive, AMMO / Mig Jiminez and Vallejo all have download sections on their websites which cover specific techniques and how to's with all of their products. These are great and free to download, a good free resource. These are bang up to date with using modern products.

Some of the other books I have bought are nice picture / coffee table books but don't really teach 'How To'! even though they say they do...

I also find that some of the independent YouTubers (not specifically affiliated to a defined brand) are good for videos, one of my faves is Nigels Modelling Bench as he covers stuff in detail and doesn't miss big chunks out.
Other good ones amongst many others are Martin Kovac on Night Shift channel and PLASMO - Plastic Models.

 

[LeytonO]

I have all of these, the first one is probably the most comprehensive

Vaĺlejo Weathering
Mastering Oils
Painting AFV's
Airbrushing Scale Modellers

 

[Steven000]

When I got into scale modeling again I bought "Adam's Armour 2: Modelling Guide (painting and finishing)", a very nice book with many painting techniques, he got other books on building models as well. not cheap but it covers a lot.

 

[flyjoe180]

Books Archives

Discover our range of scale model books and magazines on everything from new model kits to new weathering effects and paints. See our full collection here.

www.scalemodelshop.co.uk

 

[pjgtech]

Books Archives

Discover our range of scale model books and magazines on everything from new model kits to new weathering effects and paints. See our full collection here.

www.scalemodelshop.co.uk

Cheers thanx for that link, had not seen those books on John's site before. But they are all a bit niche, eg: each only covering one specific subject, so to get a good all round knowledge would cost quite a bit!

I have actually bought a couple of the Ammo books a while back, on general weathering, etc, but they tend to be specific to Ammo products, although the general advice would apply to other products, presumably?

I suppose I'm looking for a good all in one book, basically an updated version of the books in my OP, which probably does not exist, which is fine.
As others have said, theres plenty of good info out there, via T'interweb, YouTube, etc, its just a matter of seeking it out.
So I'm probably just being too optimistic and too lazy trying to get it all at once, in one place.

 

[Tim Marlow]

A book that covers “everything “ is likely to not go into much detail on anything. You will therefore find that quite limited in usefulness. Perhaps the way to go about this is to identify what aspects of modelling you want more information about, and seek out a book that covers it? After all, do you really need a book that covers the specifics of basic assembly, basic tools, glues, etc? You seem to be getting by without that just fine at the moment, and no book will cover absolutely every eventuality you come across. That’s where a community like this comes in. Ask a question here and you will get a dozen or so replies, at least one of which will fit in with the way you like to work.
If you are looking to expand your knowledge, I would also consider books outside of your chosen subject field. For example, model railway “how to” books by companies like Wild Swan are great for working in and with things like etched metal, plastic scratchbuilding, and groundwork. They cover the actual techniques rather than just being elaborate sales guides. After all, techniques used for one genre of model can be easily applied to another.

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers thanx for that link, had not seen those books on John's site before. But they are all a bit niche, eg: each only covering one specific subject, so to get a good all round knowledge would cost quite a bit!

I have actually bought a couple of the Ammo books a while back, on general weathering, etc, but they tend to be specific to Ammo products, although the general advice would apply to other products, presumably?

I suppose I'm looking for a good all in one book, basically an updated version of the books in my OP, which probably does not exist, which is fine.
As others have said, theres plenty of good info out there, via T'interweb, YouTube, etc, its just a matter of seeking it out.
So I'm probably just being too optimistic and too lazy trying to get it all at once, in one place.

Yeah they are a bit niche Peter. I've learned a lot from just being on this forum, and watching build videos. I think I have only one book which I bought when I returned to the hobby, but as Tim mentioned, such books tend to be rather basic once you get going. It is nice though, to have a tactile book in one's hands rather than scrolling on a screen.

 

[pjgtech]

Yeah they are a bit niche Peter. I've learned a lot from just being on this forum, and watching build videos. I think I have only one book which I bought when I returned to the hobby, but as Tim mentioned, such books tend to be rather basic once you get going. It is nice though, to have a tactile book in one's hands rather than scrolling on a screen.

Yep, absolutely, I have a Kindle, but never use it, much prefer an actual book.

 

[radish]

For an excellent book on the hobby of building models, then you should at least have this book from Gerald Wingrove within your library.
Ok, he wrote it quite few years ago, BUT, the principle is still EXACTLY THE SAME for TODAY.

He would have to be "one of the best modellers in the world" and his book has shown exactly how he made things.

This original book eventually morphed into two books, the two books have just a bit more information than the first book could fit in.
OK, Gerald Wingrove liked to make model cars, as he could sell them to the Arabs for multi thousands of pounds, but the principle is the same, even if your making cars, planes or trains
If you check Gerald Wingroves other books, you will soon find out that he a very mixed interest in many different types of models.

Check out Ebay for this publication and if you decide to buy it, then you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

The Complete Car Modeller for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for The Complete Car Modeller. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Tim Marlow]

Another approach is to look out for a job lot of such books on something like EBay, keep the ones you like, and resell or charity shop the others. After all, products change, but basic techniques remain the same more or less….Tony Greenland’s Panzer modelling masterclass (Windrow and Green published it I think) is a great coffee table book though…..as is the Bill Horan’s figures book Military modelling masterclass they did at about the same time.

 

[Tim Marlow]

The Osprey single subject books can usually be picked up cheap as well. All probably date from the nineties when these sort of books were written more as instruction than as an extended sales pitch for a company.