Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Essential Guide for the Serious Modeller - Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models


Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models provides a detailed guide to creating a convincing paint finish for any model, be it military or civilian, aircraft, vehicle, figures or even background items such as groundwork or buildings. Brett Green explores the world of the airbrush and how to use it, starting with the basics of colour and paint fundamentals, before moving on to deal with airbrush hardware and essential supplies, and then specific airbrushing techniques such as freehand and masking. Most importantly, this book thoroughly and practically demonstrates the techniques needed to obtain a realistic finish across a broad range of models, from heavily weathered military aircraft through to pristine, high-gloss motor vehicles. This book is designed to offer a practical guide to airbrushing techniques for all sorts of scale modelling. We will cover some basic theory early in the book, but the emphasis will be very-much on painting techniques and plenty of step-by-step case studies. Most of the examples arc aircraft models, but we will also cover cars, tanks, military vehicles and maritime vessels.

N-Scale 07-08 2009


A short time ago, I saw an ad for King Mill Enterprises' products on an Email list. I had never heard of this manufacturer before, so I took a look at their Web site (www.KingMill.com). I found several products that looked interesting, and their prices were very reasonable, so I placed an order for background buildings, some laser cut boxes to place on loading docks and a pack of "Chevron Cut Fence." Within minutes of placing my order, I received an Email from the company owner, Chris Jessee, thanking me for my order and assuring me the order would ship right away. Three days later, the package arrived and I inspected the contents. I was thrilled with the quality of all of the products I received. The laser cutting is extremely well done, with no burn marks found. The quality of the photo printing is superb. The buildings are excellent for background work such as building flats, including three dimensional work by mounting the photos on Micore or even thick cardboard (reinforced to prevent warping). The instructions encourage you to use sharp blades to cut the photos out of the thick card stock (80# cover stock) and a steel rule to make sure the cuts are straight. This is excellent advice, and I would add that the blades be changed often.

Wing Masters Nr.61


Azur nous gratifie d'un kit comprenant une centaine de pièces en injecté dont dix en plastique transparent. Les grappes sont accompagnées d'une trentaine d'éléments en résine, en majorité dévolus au détaillage de l'intérieur et de la nacelle moteur. La planche de décalques, de belle apparence, propose trois décorations assez semblables, reprenant des appareils en livrée aluminium intégral. La seule « fantaisie » sera les armoiries portées sur les flancs des avions assignés aux croiseurs Dunkerque et Lorraine. On notera la présence dans la boîte de deux modèles de carénage de radiateur, laissant présager la sortie prochaine du modèle « Colonial » Au chapitre des points positifs, on retiendra un moulage très propre, avec de fines lignes de structure en creux et des rangées de rivets, à peine perceptibles, mais qui devraient bien convenir pour une décoration aluminium. Les parties transparentes sont très limpides, même si l'épaisseur du pare-brise du pilote imposera de le retailler dans de l'acétate.

Model Magazine International 095 - 12-01 2003


The Messerschmitt Bf108 Taifun was one of Messerschmitt's most successful designs, in as much as it was still being developed well after WWII. The basic design four-seat, low wing monoplane design was used in many roles from highspeed communications to ferry work, and originated in 1933 as a result of an RLM requirement for an aircraft to participate in the 4th Challenge de Tourisme Internationale of 1934. BFW received the contract to produce the aircraft, which was eventually designated 'Bf108'. The design was very advanced, featuring an all-metal stressed skin, a first for an aircraft of this small size. Six aircraft were built by 1934 - all prototypes and Bfl08As. They proved safe, fast and had excellent low-speed characteristics, aided by the wing leading edge-slats that deployed automatically as the aircraft approached the stall. During 1935 the improved Bf108B was produced, fitted with a 270hp Argus As 10 eight-cylinder inverted-vee air-cooled engine. The 'B' featured a revised fin shape, dynamic balancing of elevator and rudder, removal of the tailplane upper bracings and tail wheel in place of the original skid. This variant became known as the 'Taifun' (Typhoon). Interestingly, over fifty Taifuns were exported, several going to Hungary, Japan, Rumania, Switzerland and Russia.