Swanny's Models

Instructional DVD's

Reviewed By  Pablo Bauleo, IPMS# 46363

Product: Instructional DVD Vol.1 Subject: Basic Model Building Skills MSRP: $29.00 Product: Instructional DVD Vol.2 Subject: Advanced Modeling Skills: Resin and PE cockpits -(2-disk set) MSRP: $29.00 Product: Instructional DVD Vol.3 Subject: Advanced Modeling Skills: Vacuform conversions and NMF - (4-disk set) MSRP: $48.95 Website: www.swannysmodels.com This series of instructional DVDs, which will guide you step-by-step through the basic assembly and painting/weathering techniques to the more advanced techniques used in detailing cockpits, vacuform aircraft conversions and natural metal finishes. The quality of the video and audio is very good in the first set and is outstanding for the second and third set. A great characteristic of this series is that every now and then, a mistake happens (scratch in the paint, glue blob, etc). These mistakes are not edited out and step-by-step solutions to the problem are shown. Even there are discussions of different options on how the problem could have being solved. Matt Swan shares a lot of his experience by showing how to recover from an accident.

But let's start for the beginning: The first volume is a 2-disk set for a running time of 3 hr 40 min. It covers, from beginning to end how to assembly and finish a Hasegawa P-40K in 1/48 scale. Before jumping into assembly and parts preparation it describes the basic tools needed for building a model and suggestions on how to setup your work area. It continues showing how to work with clear parts, how to use Future to improve its appearance and how to mask them. It shows basic but convincing cockpit detailing (dry-brushing, decals) and then it moves into fuselage and wings assembly, including step-by-step how to fix seams, fill gaps and surface preparation. It is highly valuable to see "in-action" how to do this. I've certainly learnt a lot from that, in particular about how to use fillers. Once the model is assembled it shows how to prime it (and the importance of that), how to pre-shade, apply main camouflage colors, post-shade to simulate fading due to sunlight, gloss coat and how to use setting solutions when decaling. But if all that is not enough, it also shows how to apply a wash to the panel lines, for full weathered look. The DVD ends with final assembly of landing gear, and clear parts. This is a great set for the beginner and the modeler returning to the hobby. It is also very good for the experience modeler, as it shows and reinforces modeling good practices. The second volume moves into more advanced techniques: Resin, Photo-etch and vacuformed canopies in a 2-disk set for a total running time of 4hs 50min. Note that I said "advanced techniques" and not "difficult techniques", as this DVD set will teach you how to build the skills (and confidence) needed for you to finish your models the way you always wanted to. If you feel like you are ready to take your models to the next level of detailing, but you are not sure how-to, this DVD set will show you that resin and photoetch is not difficult, it is just a little bit different. The first disk of the set shows how to put together a P-39 resin cockpit from Cutting Edge. It begins from resin parts preparation and shows how to fix deformed parts and how to work with acetate panels for instrument dial details. It then moves into the whole assembly and painting of the cockpit, with emphasis on the importance of dry-fitting, particularly when you are working with aftermarket parts. The second disk focuses on photoetch parts, by working with a .50 caliber machine gun from Aires and a P-47D cockpit detail set from Eduard. It shows you how to anneal parts, how to cut them from the fret, how to paint and assemble them. Again, it shows step-by-step the process to do all of the above, de-mystifying the use of photoetch. It won't make it seem easy; it will show you that it is not that different than working with plastic parts. Among many other things, this DVD taught me how to bend photoetch parts by using simple tools (razor blades) or how to do it with a photoetch bending station. I like the fact that for each technique, it shows different tools and ways to do things. Something I've found really interesting is that most of the assembly is shown in real time (i.e. almost no video editing). That is done as to show that working with resin/photoetch is not a high time-consuming task. It takes about the same time that would take you to assemble and paint a plastic-injected cockpit. This set is wrapped-up by showing you how to score, cut and trim vacuformed canopies. After all, if you put all that effort in super detailing a cockpit, you want to make sure it is possible to see it very clearly! As with the previous set, it includes a round-up of the tools needed to work when you are dealing with resin and photoetch and more importantly, how to do it in a safe way. This set is perfect for the modeler that has already built some kits and wants to move to the next level, and for the beginner that is wondering all about aftermarket detail sets. The third installment of the series comprises 4-DVD for a total running time of over 12 hours. This set will show you how to work with vacuform parts, will guide you, step-by-step in the process of "sanding to the line", how to re-scribe panel lines, and how to assemble a vacuform fuselage, including the important steps of scratch building reinforcing and alignment tabs, extensive descriptions on how to use of fillers and make them blend with the surface of the kit. When working with conversions you might find that some of the resin parts might have flash, bubble holes or blemishes. Learn how to correct those problems by seeing how a couple of propeller blades are "carved-out" from all the surrounding flash, see how holes are filled and the whole blade is filed into shape. Do you want to see how a challenging paint job is done? Matt will finish a vacuform conversion kit with a natural metal finish. It will show how to use different metallic shades to create enough contrast to make a model, to make it look like a miniature of the real aircraft. It will also explain how to weather a natural metal finish model, by the use of pre/post-shading. Did you think that was all? Well, not. This installment finishes with the construction of three different display bases, and briefly covers some details of taking pictures of your models. This set is intended for the average to advanced modeler that is ready to try those "one-of-a-kind" models, but not sure how to get around a vacuform kit. www.newdepartureproductions.com/SWANNY.html Conclusion By watching these DVD series, you will learn different modeling techniques, many tricks and how to use different tools in the modeler arsenal. No matter your modeling skill levels, you will find a set that will be perfect for you, and once you apply what you learn from them, you'll notice how your skills improve and you'll be looking forward to the next set. Talking about customer support, Matt Swan runs a forum in his website (www.swannysmodels.com). You can post questions and get answers straight from the guy that made the video. Besides that, one of my DVDs had a technical problem and wouldn't play. I just sent a quick message to Matt, and I got a replacement disk in less than 3-days. Top notch service there! In summary, this DVD series is a full course meal, including dessert and even after dinner drinks! It is highly recommended to all modelers of any skill level. The DVDs can be purchased from Swannysmodels.com, but they are also available at www.Greatmodels.com and www.Internethobbies.com. When you make a purchase, tell them you've heard of the product on the IPMS review website. I would like to thanks IPMS for the opportunity to review this DVD sets and Matt Swan for his mentoring in my return to the modeling world.