Book Review
F.A.Q. Dioramas
Ruben Gonzalez
AK Interactive
559 pages
ISBN
So why buy this book? Given its 559 profusely illustrated glossy pages, it is a good deal. The price tag is about $ 100 so many model railroaders will hesitate to buy - don't hesitate, plunge right in and buy this book. Be aware most measurements will be in metric but that wont detract from the lessons it imparts. Author Ruben Gonzalez does everything right here except for the ghoulish cover. I fear some potential purchasers of this book may be put off by same and may even mistakenly think this book is directed at the fantasy modeler.
Model railroaders will recognize many of the materials and techniques utilized in the step-by-step instructions contained within the covers.
Perhaps the only real issue I would take with this book is that virtually every fluid used is by AK Interactive. Less expensive alternatives can be created at one's workbench. On the other hand, if you have a hobby shop in your area that caters to military modelers, you can find those products there. Just as the model railroad community has fewer and fewer choices when it comes to brick and mortar hobby shops, it seems military modelers are in the same fix. So AK Interactive products are easily available on the internet.
I would also take issue with what I see as overkill on some of the techniques. My modeling also varies from Gonzalez's in that I am happy to use a rattle can of Dull Cote, or primer to get the job done rather than break out the spray gun and strip it down to clean it.
This book is not just about dioramas. It is an encyclopedia of scratch-building techniques. The step by step instructions should reduce the fear factor many have in relation to scratch-building. Use this book to build up your confidence and dive into your next or first scratch-building effort.
Comments
Post a Comment