Airframe Workbench Guide: Aircraft Modelling
By Matt Bittner
Author: Libor Jekl
Publisher: Valiant Wings Publishing
ISBN #: 978-0-9930908-4-4
Binding: Spiral
Pages: 120
There are a few modelers I consider "role models": Steve Hustad, Alberto Casirati, Paul Boyer, Joseph Youngerman and Libor Jekl. Each has different techniques that make their models stand out above the rest and I keep striving to use their techniques in my own builds.
Valiant Wings Publishing's first foray into the "how-to" books is written by Libor Jekl, showcasing his techniques using actual builds of his. The book is broken down thusly:
- Rigging Techniques
- Rescribing
- Building a Resin Kit
- Creating Rivet Detail
- Camouflage Paint Weathering
- White Distemper Camouflage
- Fabric, Wood and Stripes
- Natural Metal Finish
- Kwik-building
Each section contains at least one build, and while most sections don't go into a detailed build of the model being presented, that section does provide detailed techniques applicable to it. For example in Rigging Techniques, Libor uses the new Airfix 1/72 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II and "starts" after the model is mostly built and primed. From there he discusses the materials he uses for rigging along with showing how he does it.
This is how the entire book flows.
It's an excellent read and there are a lot of techniques that can be used for all models, regardless of scale. If you're a 1/72 modeler then even better since that's the scale Mr. Jekl builds in.
This is an excellent how-to book and one I feel should be on everyone's shelves.
My thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for giving me the honor to review.