Osprey's newest release in their "Masterclass" modeling series covers construction of USAAF World War II fighters, surely a popular topic with modelers.

      Authors Jerry Scutts and Brett Green are well-known in the international modeling community and need no introduction here.  What they accomplish with this book is to demonstrate that there really are no "secrets" to model building.

      Jerry Scutts provides an excellent introduction with an essay on the history of plastic models.  This reviewer was reminded of just how long I have been around modeling, when I realized I could all the events mentioned, first-hand.

      The book is broken down logically in chapters titled "Getting Started," Reference Sources," "Available Products," "Basic Consruction," "Advanced Construction," and "Special Techniques."  Everything a modeler needs to know about the hobby - from what tools are needed to what kind of research material is available - is presented here.  The book is so informative that a modeler with a few successful projects under his or her belt could take any one of the models that are used for subject matter in this volume, build the model according to the information provided, and at the end discover they have vastly increased their skills.

      Brett Green's how-to article on the new Tamiya P-47 Thunderbolt is truly definitive on the general subject of building an airplane model, beyond the very specific information provided for this specific type. I also found his article on restoring a model - in this case an Eduard P-39 - to be very informative; I have done this myself many times over the years, and recommend the practice to anyone -modelers should consider doing this whenever they have what seems to be an "outdated" model.

      The information on reference sources and what's available as regards aftermarket materials is useful even for a modeler who's been around for years, while someone new to the hobby or newly returned can get a very good idea of what research material is the most useful, and what is out there to improve a basic kit.  Tables such as "USAAF Ordnance Colors" and "Drop-tank colors" are useful no matter the skill level of the reader.

      The chapter on "advanced construction," which deals with building an AMtech P-40F/L with the resin nose, will improve anyone's skill level just to read.  As a result of this, I have become a believer in the use of Blu Tack as a mask for painting camouflage.  The information in this chapter on painting a model is worth the price of the book all by itself.

      Overall, this book will be of greatest use to a modeler recently returned to the hobby to see just what is available and possible.  The information here will definitely help a modeler put on "seven-league boots" as regards increasing the quality of their work.

      Highly recommended.

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