This is another book in Osprey's superlative 'Masterclass' series of how to books. The 192 pages of color are enclosed in an easy to use hardcover spiral bound book that keeps the pages open and flat. This allows the modeler to more easily use this reference to duplicate or use the information provided as a guide.

Unlike other Osprey modeling books, this one concentrates on techniques that those delving into 1/72 armor kits will find useful. Of course, many of the applications will be valid no matter what the scale, but working in the world of Lilliput does have its specific concerns.

Author Alex Clark is one of those particularly talented modelers who seem to turn out masterpieces every time he completes a subject. He shows us how he does things and the tools that he has found useful in his endeavours.

No how-to book would be complete without a listing of tools and materials, most of which I'm betting most dedicated modelers already have. As Alex is UK based, some of the tools and brands will be unfamiliar with some readers. He then goes into general construction techniques, such as gluing rods on road wheels to turn them in a drill while removing seams, or thinning down kit parts for a more scale appearance, or an interesting way to apply link and length tracks. There are methods of making had rails or adding rivets and bolts; all in 1/72 scale. Painting and general finishing is next and this is all right out of the larger scale books on the subject. How to apply mud or dust and the accuracy of colors are all in this section.

Of course, there needs to be a section on painting figures, so break out the four hair brushes for this one. Naturally, it covers washes and dry-brushing as well. For those who are not good at taking photos, that is included as well as a section on how to choose a base and make it look realistic for your model. No book like this would be complete without a bunch of 'see what I've built' photos and there are a couple of dozen pages of Alex's fine workmanship. This is followed by a section on references; both paper and electronic.

All of this just touches on what is inside awaiting you. Richly illustrated with full color photos that show these techniques as they develop, it is a book that will be a gold mine of information to those wishing to improve their skills. Most highly recommended.

August 2007

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