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Ampersand Publishing Co., Inc. |
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The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank by Patrick A. Stansell |
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Reviewed By Chad Richmond, #10346 |
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MSRP: $28.95 USD I had ordered this book when it was first announced, and then was put on back order. After a couple of years being in that status, I just plain forgot about it. Then one day, a thick envelope arrives at my door and there’s a wonderful surprise inside. It took three years from the time it was announced to finally be available, and I can truthfully say that the wait was more than worth it. 172 pages of heavy, glossy stock take you through a brief history of the Tiger tank from its initial prototype through the Tiger II and all of its innovations, a gallery of thirteen models, and then a complete, step-by-step assembly article on each of the thirteen models. The book also includes a listing, by manufacturer, of all of the Tiger kits, accessories and reference materials available for the Tiger. The bibliography contains pictures of the covers of each of the 58 listed references, as well as a brief description of each of the references. The last page of the book is a listing of all of the known chassis numbers of Tigers, the manufacture date, the unit it was assigned to, and where known, its final fate. This priceless book is chocked full of Tiger photos that I have never seen before and some of the best drawings I have ever seen. Mitsuo Terada, Scott Eble and Dave Berns provide drawings in the first 66 pages of the book to supplement the vast number of photos and the text to point out variations in turrets, cupolas, road wheels, etc. as the tank was improved. 129 picture of the real thing are in the book, with many of them being inset into the drawings, showing what the real thing looked like. Each of the finished models photograph has an inset photo of the real tank that was modeled. No less than 700 color and black and white photographs take you through the 91 page modeling section of the book. As well as covering the after market details used in improving the kits and the scratch building that was done, literally hundreds of modeling techniques are covered in photos and in text. Simulation of weld beads, bending photo etch, making zimmerit, texturing are but a few of the techniques covered. The author is quick to tell the reader that this book was not his own doing, but the work of five different modelers, tireless support by Tamiya America, Chesapeake Model Designs, Air Connection, Archer Fine Transfers, New Connection, Mike Olive for access to the J.J. Fedorowcz photo archives. If the Tiger Tank is your modeling weakness, then this is the salvation book for you. Even if you don’t build Tigers, there are hundred of useable modeling techniques for any armor builder. This has got to be one of the finest modeling manuals I have ever had in my possession, and also one of the best concise historical records of the Tiger Tank that I have seen. I purchased my copy from VLS, but it is readily available at all good hobby shops and, of course, directly from MMIR. |
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