AIRCRAFT Modelling Essentials, A Comprehensive Guide (Accion Press)

Accion press has released a new title in their publications: A "Modelling Essentials” series, in which they show an easy way to learn (or re-learn) to model. The authors are Javier López de Anca, Mario Gabás, Julio Fuente, Philippe Roger and Alex Hernández.

This is a perfect book for those people who want to take the first steps in this hobby and for those who return to it after a while. This volume is also for everyone who wants to get the essence of every modelling discipline in a single volume. The series is started off with a book about aircraft modelling.

The modellers/authors have made a rigorous selection of the contents in this book, sorting through the myriad of techniques and products available in order to boil it down to the fundamentals in terms of assembly and painting model kits. A thorough study has distilled all the information down to the essentials, creating something invaluable to the modeller, a true display of unplugged modelling.

The book is structured from the point of view of someone who has never made a model kit and wants to take the first steps to become someone with ambition to pursue the most advanced techniques. Between these two points, the “Essential” Techniques book series deals with uncompromisingly with all questions, problems and difficulties that may gradually pop up.

Everything is exhaustively explained step by step including clarifying images, explanatory captions & diagrams making all techniques, concepts and tool use easier to understand.

However, its readership can be wider than just the beginners, as it includes techniques and tips that can be helpful to all modellers.

Some modellers might ask if such a book was really needed, when internet is full of relevant forums, articles and videos available for free. There is a very logical answer: Beginners can find here an excellent base for starting. The book covers all basic areas of aircraft modelling, detailed, in order and clearly. It allows also to be read in any place and time, get immediate replies, study its photos and text at your pace and have all information in a single volume.

One of the strong points of the book is that allows the reader to get decent results with basic materials and techniques. There are several good books to show advanced techniques, using lots of products and steps in the process. This one however starts explaining how to correctly paint using a brush and acrylic paints, and what effects can be used to improve the finish. Later on it describes also the use of the airbrush.

First impressions…

The book is a softcover, with 152 pages of satin paper, A4 size (21cm X 29cm). The sewn quality binding is very strong and that means you can leave the book open on your workbench and use it without fear of wear. The text is short, clear, with a good sized font and very explanatory & easy to follow. There are plenty of photos of different sizes, all showing every detail of the model or technique. Photos and text/captions are linked by numbers. Contents are as follows:

INTRODUCTION 

GETTING STARTED

TOOLS  & TECHNIQUES

BASIC ASSEMBLY

COCKPIT

WHEEL WELLS 

GLUING THE PIECES TOGETHER

ENGINE

CAMOUFLAGE 

DECALS

MASKING 

WEATHERING

ACCESSORIES

ADVANCED 

AUTHORS

Each technique is labelled with an icon from 1 to 5, highlighting the skill level. There is no preference for a particular paint/material manufacturer. All paints and products used are well known like Vallejo, Mig Ammo or Tamiya. Also there is a wise selection of models, from WWII onwards and including allied and axis aircraft for the Second World War, and Eastern and Western modern jets.

Chapters

In the first chapter “Getting Started” we get six pages of quick build models, like the Airfix Quick build series (lego style), that do not need glue or paint. These are very useful if you are younger (or want to introduce a younger to the hobby – the best present!). 

The second chapter deals with basic “Tools and Techniques”, materials needed and how to use them. Assembly tools from cutters and brushes to airbrushes: How to prepare parts and cut them from the sprue, how to handle and cement photo-etched parts, glueing, filler/body putty, wiring, clear parts, drybrushing, etc.

A full chapter is wisely devoted to put all these lessons into practice with an easy Airfix EE Lightning F.2A,1/72nd scale kit, built OOB, without using aftermarket products and making minimal corrections like filling gaps where needed. Every step is clearly explained through text and photos (22 pages).

Other chapters deal in depth with subjects like: cockpit, engine, weapons, etc. Both construction and painting are covered.

Apart from them there are also specific sections for camouflages, soft and hard edges and speckled, masking, decals and weathering. The weathering section includes working with oils, pencils and pigments. There are examples of both jets and propeller aircraft.

The last chapter covers an advanced model (AH-64D Apache, Hasegawa 1/48th scale), in order to introduce the reader to levels beyond the previous basic modelling techniques. Finally, there are four pages with a short biography and models of the authors.

In Conclusion…

Reading books on advanced modelling techniques can make new and returning modellers feel like they’ve skipped over something in the text or even intimidate them into quitting altogether.

“Aircraft Modelling Essentials” prevents just that. It is an extremely useful volume for beginners, as it answers all questions that may arise, from the basics of building to the use of photoetched parts and hand painting to basic airbrushing and weathering.

All the essentials are laid out in an easy to understand, simple style, step by step and supported by many clear images. More experienced modellers will also find, all in one place, a lot of tips and tricks to refresh their memory and see how to build a kit and finish it in a simple way and with decent results. 

Highly recommended to all aircraft modellers and to military/ship/car modellers who would like to give it a try. Buy one for yourself and one or two for your friends who might turn into fellow modellers after reading it!

You can order it on-line here.