Kalmbach Publishing could easily be considered the first book company to start producing 'how to' books for hobbyists. Though this undoubtedly started with Model Railroader, when they decided to start Fine Scale Modeler in the early 1980s, it was not long before we started seeing these sorts of books for the scale modeler as well. I know that my first how to book was from these folks and it is a copy I still have. Much of what is in this early title is now pretty much common knowledge to most modelers, but it was a real eye-opener on what could be done. Especially considering there were step by step illustrations to provide guidance.

As the hobby has progressed, so have their how to books. The most recent batch has been under the FSM name and this one on air brushing is the latest.

We expect certain things from these books. One is that they assume nothing, hence an introductory section that includes choosing an airbrush, maintenance of the air brush, how to use it, how to cure problems and how to use masking materials. These are the sorts of things that many of us who have been using the tool for decades have discovered for ourselves, but is invaluable information for those who are relatively new to the tool or need a refresher.

The bulk of the book concerns using the air brush in various projects. This isn't just aircraft, but the full spectrum of the hobby. This includes, armor painting basics, painting single color subjects, pre and post shading, masking with tape, silly putty and blu-tak to get different effects. Interestingly, there is only a small section on free-hand painting as I guess it is assumed most modelers will want to use a mask of some sort when doing complex schemes. There is also a section on air brushing large scale figures.

The author uses a number of different air brushes when doing the various examples, and while this is nice, most modelers I know do not have a variety and use a single tool. This is mostly due to cost, I believe, as not everyone has the means to own a stable, though those who do, will certainly find the variety useful. The advice given is straightforward and safe, leaving the experimentation outside the cautious to the individual modeler. A lot of acrylic paint is also used in the book, and I guess that this is something that is used by many modelers, due to being able to use it without having to utilize a proper spray booth, something that is a must with enamels and laquers.

As with all of Kalmbach's books, the edition is profusely illustrated with well over 300 photographs, many of them with the usual sparkling clean air brush or paint brush applying invisible paint! I'm not sure why I see this all the time in FSM publications, but apparently it is a staple, as if one doesn't realize that the photo shows something painted with this item.

Overall it is an excellent book, both as a primer and one that shows techniques that are useful and can be used by modelers of any skill level. A book that is quite easy to recommend to all.

December 2015

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