Modeling US Armor of World War 2 (Modelling Masterclass) Hardcover-spiral – September 29, 2009

I'm always looking for a good quality modeling book to add to my collection. I've found that they can be hard to come by. Is this one of them? Well, it's not at the top of my list but yeah, I would recommend this book for any armor modeler. The book is nice with the spiral binding. Wish more were like that. The information is presented well with great pictures to make it clear. You should definitely learn something with the information presented here. My only complaints would be that it spends too much time with smaller scale modeling. Most of the techniques also include examples of 1/72 and 1/48. I only model in 1/35 so that's wasted for me but may be great for you. I think some of the techniques presented are a little old school which reminded me of things I would do when I was young and didn't have the money to buy dedicated tools. Not saying that's bad, and I suppose gets the job done. Also nothing wrong with saving money and using stuff you can find around the house. In my opinion, some of the painting techniques are also dated and don't seem to be real strong. Don't get me wrong, they are superior, but not really current. Just think Sheppard Paine - outstanding stuff but a little plain compared to some of today's modellers. Of course that is just my opinion. Some really hate all the chipping and pigments used today. Nonetheless, I recommend this book and I will be using it for reference in my future builds.

As said in the previous reveiws this very instructional and in depth guide book is aimed at 1/35 scale but does cover a little in 1/48 and 1/72.The introduction does a fairly good job of letting you know Mr. Zaloga and his take on accurate scale modeling and it's evolution. His personality shows through giving the attentive reader more than just a how-to book on models but just a bit of his life and work.Most guides I have from Osprey are made for the construction of one given item or piece of equipment. They have also helped produce many great historical textbooks on just about every war or nation worth modeling. Mr. Zaloga points out specifically that is not his goal in doing this book. It's all about the mass amount of skill he wishes to share, Master Artist to the apprentice.With seven chapters (construction tips/tricks, painting techniques, stowage and tools, the human factor, setting the scene, photography, and a short two page further reading section) and lots of pictures and examples this is really a great guide for the novice to expert. There are many good suggestions by Zaloga on were to go on the Web to find help and information.A great "FIRST BOOK" and go to introduction into a world of model building. I hope you enjoy Mr. Zaloga as much as I did.

Steven Zaloga, as I understand it, is a noted expert in many areas of modeling, including paint colors for US World War II vehicles. His research on WWII Olive Drab, combined with recommendations for this book, was my motivation to purchase it. I think it was well worth the price. While focused on US WWII vehicles, many of the techniques discussed are applicable to other models, too. Almost 200 pages, wire bound for easily laying flat, there are a huge number of color photos, and the book covers all the basics of modeling, including such things as glues/cements, basic construction techniques, painting, weathering, tool and stowage on vehicles, figures, and dioramas. This is an absolutely ideal book for new modelers (which I am closer to being than an experienced expert), but the long time modeler could benefit from new ways of looking at things, too. Overall, a great book. It even addresses how to do photography of your models, which is becoming more and more relevant, since there are so many modeling websites and forums, which almost require photos in order to fully participate in the online banter.I think this is a really nice publication, highly recommended. I know I'd be more than willing to buy another Zaloga book for other modeling subjects that interest me.

In my view, being an Armour modeller for the last 25 years, this is one of the most comprehensive how to books on the subject ever produced.It comes in a hardbacked ring binder format with each of the sections colour coded on the edge of the page for easy reference of each section.There are 7 chapters in total dealing with construction, painting, stowage, figures, bases, photography and a couple of pages listing Mr Zaloga's many articles in popular modelling magazines and books. The book is packed with excellent colour photos of nearly all of Mr Zaloga's previous modeling projects most of which i had seen before and a small portion which i hadn't. I don't think the lack of completly new material detracts in the least as the purpose of the book is to catalogue all his tricks and tip into one volume rather than have them spread over so many other publications as in the past.If you love US tanks, guns and halftracks of WWII in model form then this is the book for you.

Well I am a modeler and really enjoyed this book. It is written clearly with photos that explain the techniques of the author's painting, builds, scratch builds and many other things. It is broken down into clear chapters in a very good sequence for anyone who is building an armor model. It starts with building techniques, painting then weathering, Battle bits, stowage and tools, The Human Factor-figure painting, Scenery, and also photography. It is an extremely through book on modelling and Steve shares a lot of his secrets about painting techniques, how to build your own storage gear and make simple but beautiful scenery. I will be reading the book again there is so much good information in it and have already started using some of the technique such as building my own storage gear from that chapter. I highly recommend it to all armor modelers. This is one book I will never be selling from my collection.

Not secrets actually, as many of the techniques have been described in Steve's articles in Military Modelling and in his other books. Here they are all together in an immensly readable form, using no repeated text from previous sources, just some photos here and there. Do not think this book is solely aimed at modellers of US vehicles - if you have any interest in modelling tanks and military vehicles, buy this book as it is an absolute bargain and well worth adding to any reference collection. Now for the difficult bit - how to become as good as Steve Zaloga?

Dieses Osprey Heft vom "Master hinself", Steve J. Zaloga ist eine hilfreiche Publikation, aus welcher der Anfänger als auch der Fortgeschrittene wertvolle Modellbautipps erfahren kann. Der Umstand, dass aus seine Osprey Modelling Heften, wie "Modelling US M4 75-MM Sherman" und den anderen von ihm publizierten OSPREY Heften und Miliutary Modelling Artikeln zitiert wird, schmälert den Genuß geringfügig. Hat diese Publikation doch den Vorteil, dass man ohne lange in seinen Military Modelling Heften suchen zu müssen, die Möglichkeit des sofortigen Zugriffes. Zudem, nicht jeder wird die Military Modelling abonniert haben!Zusammenfassend läßt sich sagen, dass mit dieser Publikation OSPREY wieder einmal seinem Ruf gerecht wurde. Sehr empfehlenswert!