Review

The latest in Osprey Publishing's modeling manuals, Modelling Armoured Vehicles covers the techniques and methods for scale military vehicles using five projects of increasing complexity. The 80-page book features color step-by-step images. Rather than concentrating on a single vehicle type or area of the hobby, Modelling Armoured Vehicles starts with the basics of general AFV modeling using specific builds to illustrate the points or techniques described.

A team of Canadian modelers - Gary Edmundson, Jim Carswell, Tom Cockle, Graeme Davidson, and Steve Van Beveren - contribute tons of useful information in an easy-to-follow format. The chapter titles exemplify the approach: References and Planning; Basic Construction; Advanced Construction and Techniques; Painting and Finishing; and Presentation.

The opening chapter explains why good references are an essential part of any project and describes basic reference sources including magazines, books, museums, modeling clubs, and the Internet. It closes with a few ideas about workspaces. Basic construction is exactly that, the everyday techniques every modeler needs. It has good ideas like checking the kit when you open the box to be sure all the parts are there and undamaged. It describes cleaning the parts, removing them from the spures, dealing with blemishes such as sinkholes, ejector-pin marks and flash, different glues, clamps, and test-fitting.

The book really begins to shine in the third chapter with tips for using aftermarket accessories such as track links, phot-etched metal, and resin. There is extensive information about scratchbuilding, including working with styrene stock and metal as well as casting your own resin parts. Painting and weathering starts with basics like using an airbrush and priming, then works up to more advanced ideas like masking, detail painting, adding markings, and weathering. In addition to the old standards of dry-brushing and washes, the chapter includes more modern techniques and materials such as weathering powders and paint chipping.

The authors conclude with a short chapter about display bases.

Five models are used throughout the book to illustrate the techniques described: Tamiya's 1:35 scale French Char BI bis tank; Trumpeter's 1:35 scale LAV-25; am all-resin 1:35 scale Panzerbefelswagen III Ausf D1 from Cromwell Models; a Dragon 1:35 scale Panther Ausf G converted to an early version with scratchbuilt details; and an Academy 1:35 scale M113 converted to TUA through extensive scratchbuilding.

The writers stay on point with clear, concise paragraphs detailing the techniques. I like the fact that the book is aimed at modelers of all skill levels. And, like the best how-to writing, there is something to learn even for experienced builders. The photography is good and does a good job of showing what the authors are describing.

Modelling Armoured Vehicles is a good introduction to building scale military vehicles. Beginners should find lots of information as well as inspiration in the text and projects, while advanced builders will find useful tips and techniques. This is not the definitive text for armor modelers but the book should have a place on any builder's shelf.