Armour Modelling (Modelling Masterclass)

This book sets out to answer a wide range of modelers' 'how-to' questions. It begins by showing all the things that need to be done to build a first model. Paints, glues, knives and other basic tools are introduced. Then it moves on to the use of accessories - etched metal sets, turned metal gun barrels, and simple resin conversions. Here the more specialised tools, such as those made for work with etched metal, are discussed. The book includes sections covering working safely with resin, adding camouflage finishes by brush, spray can and airbrush, and ways of reproducing the German anti-magnetic Zimmerit finish that troubles many modellers. The various types of replacement tank tracks are shown with ways to build and paint them, and the different challenges of modeling wheeled vehicles are also addressed.

The book continues with demonstrations of how to build a complex conversion or a complete resin kit as well as more simple scratchbuilding (working form raw materials rather than prefabricated kit parts). Researching and making decals for markings when there are no ready-made ones available, display bases and figures are also covered. Everything is straightforwardly explained and clearly illustrated by numerous photographs of steps in the various processes and of finished models.

John Prigent built his first tank model in 1947 using cardboard from breakfast cereal packets and has been modelling ever since using all the materials available. He wrote two books for Darlington Publications, contributed to the first four armour books in the original Osprey Modelling series, and has also served as technical proofreader for both armour and modelling books from various publishers. Since 1970 he has contributed many articles and news columns to magazines such as Military Modelling, Boresight, IPMS Magazine and Scale Models International. He retired in 2004 as an armour class judge at Euromilitaire. In addition to John, this volume will contain the work of three other modellers of international reputation: Steve Zaloga, Frank De Sisto and Nic Cortese. These three will be building a selection of the models. John Prigent lives in Sussex, UK.