Modeling and How To Books.....

QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher Shep Paine's How To Build Dioramas is the best place to start in my opinion. Don't let the title fool you -- while there's a lot of valuable diorama-related information in it, it's also a wonderful resource on scale modeling in general. Matt Usher @ FineScale

Yeah it gots good tips on everything!!!

I have Mike Ashey's "Detailing Scale Model Aircraft". It is an excellent book for basic skills as well as adding enormous amounts of detail to aircraft kits. It's also just nice to stare in awe at the incredible works in the photos. If you are an aircraft fanatic (or expecting a surprise inspection from the Department of Aircraft Authenticity, or perhaps just a little obsessive about your details) then this book has it all and you will find it tremendously useful.

If you're like me,however, only my wife ("Why are you always in the basement?"), my kids ("Hey dad, can I take that plastic thing out to the sand box?"), or the occasional friend ("What the hell is that on your shelf?") will actually see my models and none of them will notice the extra details or lack therof).

A nice book for the collection though.

OK-- it's Terrain Modeling by Richard Windrow (an Osprey book)-- I haven't gotten Paine's book yet (but I did ask Santa)- but this one is great for anyone into doing dioramas for their models.

I have both of Mike Ashey's books on modelshipbuilding, and the Kalmbach book on how to Airbrush.

Osprey's "Basic Military Vehicle Modelling"
Osprey's "Intermediate Military Vehicle Modelling"
Osprey's "Airbrush Painting Techniques"
"Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles" by Shep Paine
"Panzer Modelling Masterclass" by Tony Greenland

These are the books in my library plus another hundered or so refence books on weapons, aircraft, ships ect... and other related military items and historical events.

Building Plastic Models by Kalmbach
The Art of the Model Soldier by Graham Dixey
Model Military by Harper Colophon Books
How to Build Plastic Ships by LesWilkins
Color treasury of Model Ships by Cresent
Model Soldiers in Color by Octopus
The Encyclopedia of Model Aircraft by Octopus

I get 99% from second hand and used book stores. They all have there good points and ideas but I still haven't found that one "Bible of Models" if there is such a thing out there.

That goes for my other references as well. But somewhere there's a new picture or peice of info I'll just have to have.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher Shep Paine's How To Build Dioramas is the best place to start in my opinion. Don't let the title fool you -- while there's a lot of valuable diorama-related information in it, it's also a wonderful resource on scale modeling in general. Matt Usher @ FineScale

Ive heard many many good things about this book for quite a few specialized areas as well as general modeling...However I cant seem to find the book locally NONE of the 4 LHS's have it, oh sure they can order it...but If Im gonna go that route I might as well order it myself. Can I get this book direct from Kalmbach?

The main reason I started this thread is Im a How To kinda guy....I love how to books. However I dont have many modeling how to books so I figured it would be interesting to see what everyone else out there has....and it would give some ideas and a list of books to check out and pick up....

Nearly twenty years ago I picked up Robert Schleicher's "Scenery and Dioramas"
in the model railroading section of the local hobby shop. It was published in 1983 by
the Chilton Book Co. out of Radnor, PA. I don't know if it is still available, but it is the best I've seen. (IMHO) It has "recipe" cards you can copy to use as a quick reference while you're working so you don't need to put a brick on the book to hold your place.
The section on simulating water is fabulous.

Franciose Verlinden`s 'The Verlinden way' on aircraft.. It revolutionized my building.

I like Shep's figure section better than the book I have on it.

Shep Paine's How To Build Dioramas is the best place to start in my opinion. Don't let the title fool you -- while there's a lot of valuable diorama-related information in it, it's also a wonderful resource on scale modeling in general.

Matt Usher @ FineScale

I've got one on Plastic model ships
Shep Paine's How to build dioramas 1st ed.
don winar(sp) and lynn kessler military fig book 1st ed.

I'm not at home to check specifics on title, author, or publisher yet-- but I have an excellent one on terrain modeling that highlights modeling all sorts of terrains-- from desert, snow, and water scenes- to forest, rain forest, and even ancient Roman cobblestone roads...to airfield tarmac. It has given me great ideas for what I try to do with terrains.

Got quiet a few , give me some time to compile a list.


BTW, should the list also include books like Doll-house making and so on? Videos alllowed, if so the list will get longer.