Kalmbach Modeling Books, who's got'em, and which ones are good or bad?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Reference Materials
1

I’m thinking about getting some of the Kalmbach’s modeling books, and want to know who has them, which ones are good (or bad!).

I already have Paul Boyer’s “Painting and Finishing Scale Models” Handbook #10 from 1992, which is a great reference for beginners and still quite valid 14 years later.

So, what’s the consensus? [?]

2

I have 9 of them, not sure on the titles, they are all good.[:)]

3

I have 11 Kalmbach modeling books and find that they ALL are excellent reference how-to’s as well as modivators. The ones that I have are about building diorama’s, modifing armor, etc. If your budget limits the number you can get, then I humbly suggest you get BOTH diorama books by Shep Paine and the automobile diorama book by Ken Hamilton. You will not regret getting these 3 books.

Your timing is excellent, my copy of Squadron Mail Order’s November catalog update just arrived and several Kalmbach books are on sale. Ken Hamilton’s book, How to Build Creative Dioramas for Your Scale Auto Models is discounted to $7.99 ( regular price is $18.95 )

Have fun.

4

I’ve read: Detailing Scale Model Aircraft by Mike Ashley, Model Aircraft Tips And Techniques by Ashley, Building and Displaying Scale Model Aircraft by Paul Boyer, How to Build Plastic Aircraft Models by Roscoe Creed, and probably a couple of others and they are all excellent. The only problem is that some of them are out of print.

5

I only have 1, How to Build and Display Scale Model Aircraft. Its a pretty good book that pretty much covers the basics, and gets into some detail towards the end. I would recommend it.

6

I have the entire series. Yes some are out of print, but they are definitely worth tracking down. Most of mine I have picked up recently at used book shops and a few at various shows.

I primarily build armour but some of the auto How-To references have information not contained in the armour how to books.

Additionally the “generic” compendium style of collected ideas and tips are excellent as well.

I will post the titles that I have in the collection later.

Cheers;

Gregory

7

Somehow I should have guessed you would have the entire collection! [;)]

8

I’ve got the " building and detailing model ships" one. It’s a good book

9

Hey Bill:

What can I say my wife knows what keeps me happy…and when she gives me my allowance I spend it on great books.

Cheers;

Gregory

10

Bill:

Here is the list as promised.

  1. How to Build Dioramas - Sheperd Paine

  2. Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles - Sheperd Paine

  3. Building and Improving Vacuum-Formed Model Aircraft - E. Richard Staszak

  4. Hints and Tips for Plastic Modelling - IPMS USA & KALMBACH BOOKS

  5. Building Plastic Models - Robert Schleicher

  6. The Art of the Diorama - Ray Anderson

  7. Building and Painting Scale Figures - Sheperd Paine

  8. How to Photograph Scale Models - Sheperd Paine and Lane Stewart

  9. Painting and Finishing Scale Models - Paul Boyer

  10. How to Build Plastic Aircraft Models - Roscoe Creed

  11. Scale Modeling Tips and Techniques - FSM Scale Modeling Handbook No. 12

  12. How to Build Scale Models - FSM Scale Modeling Handbook No. 15

  13. Building and Detailing Scale Model Cars - Bill Coulter

  14. How to Paint Realistic Military Figures - Lynn Kessler and Don Winar

  15. Building and Detailing Scale Model Ships - Mike Ashey

  16. Model Aircraft Tips and Techniques an Illustrated Guide - Mike Ashey

  17. Building and Displaying Scale Model Aircraft - Paul Boyer

  18. Detailing Scale Model Aircraft - Mike Ashey

  19. Scale Model Detailing Projects You Can Do - FSM Kalmbach Books

  20. Modeling Realistic Tanks and Artillery an Illustrated Guide - Mike Ashey

21.How to Build Armor Dioramas - Lynn Kessler

  1. How to Build Dioramas 2nd Edition - Sheperd Paine

  2. Armor Conversion and Detailing Projects - FSM Kalmbach Books

24.How to Model World War II German Armor - Carl McLaughlin

  1. How to Paint Realistic Military Figures 2nd Edition - Lynn Kessler and Don Winar

  2. Building the P-40 WARHAWK - Glen Philips and Kevin Hjermstad

Some other “suggested” reading for you from my shelf of references

  1. The Art of Scratchbuilding - Michael J. Dario and Sydney P. Chivers

  2. The Art of Airbrushing - Michael J. Dario and Sydney P. Chivers

  3. The Art of Plastic Modeling - Al Kropff and Sydney P. Chivers

  4. The Complete Modelling Workshop - Stan Catchpol

  5. Basic and Advanced Tips and Techniques for Styrene Modeling - Evergreen Scale Models

  6. Modelling Aircraft - Tim Laming

  7. The Encyclopedia of Military Modeling - Vic Smeed

  8. No. 1 Painting and Detailing Military Miniatures - Bryan Fosten & Roy Dilley Almark Books

  9. No. 2 Painting and Detailing Model Aircraft - Les Whitehouse Almark Books

  10. No. 3 Dioramas & Scenic Settings - Bryan Fosten & Roy Dilley Almark Books

  11. The Modelmaker’s Handbook - Albert Jackson and David Day

  12. Scenery and Dioramas - Robert Schleicher - Chilton Hobby Series

  13. The Scale Modeller’s Handbook - Chris Ellis

  14. The Model-Building Handbook - Brick Price

  15. Compendium Modelling Manuals 1-12

  16. Osprey Modelling Manuals 13- and onward (Take over of Compendium)

  17. The Encyclopedia of Model Aircraft - Vic Smeed

  18. Model Car Building - Getting Started - Dennis Doty

  19. Model Car Building - Advanced Techniques - Dennis Doty

  20. Miniature Building Construction - John H. Ahern

  21. AIRFIX Modelling Manuals - AIRFIX Magazine

  22. Building and Displaying Model Aircraft - Robert Schleicher

  23. The Verlinden Way Vol. I to Vol. VI - Francois Verlinden

  24. On Target No. 1 Modelling Special The German Tiger Tanks - Verlinden

  25. The Illustrated Modelaholic a Guide to Modeling Enjoyment - Hal Sanford

  26. Superdioramas - Bob Letterman & Lewis Pruneau

  27. The Military Modeller’s Compendium - Ken Jones

  28. Architetctural Modelling in 4mm Scale - Dave Rowe

  29. Roy Porter’s Model Buildings Masterclass - Windrow & Greene Publishing

  30. Terrain Modelling Masterclass - Richard Windrow

  31. Tony Greenland’s Panzer Modelling Masterclass Editions 1 & 2

  32. Bill Horan’s Military Modelling Masterclass

  33. Scale Model Fighting Vehicles - Kenneth M. Jones - ALMARK Publications

  34. Scale Model Soldiers - Roy Dilley - Almark Publication

  35. The Art of the Model Sodlier - Graham Dixey

  36. Guide to Military Modelling - Ken Jones

  37. Guide to Military Vehicles - Robin Buckland

  38. Model Soldier Manual - Chris Ellis

  39. Making Model Soldiers of the World - Jack Cassin-Scott

  40. Woodland Scenics Scenery Manual

  41. Modelling Farm Wagons and Farm Carts

  42. Scale Model Aircraft in Plastic Card - Harry Woodman

  43. Making Model Aircraft - Bryan Philpott

  44. Vehicles at War - Ellis & Bishop

  45. Military Vehicle Modelling - Phil Greenwood

That’s a short list of the shelf. I didn’t feel like typing all the contents of the collected works of every FSM from the Test issue to present. The other list would include the complete works of Airfix, The New Airfix Magazine, Military Modeler, Scale Modeler, Verlinden magazine etc. etc. etc. the list is just way too long. However this should get you started on building your own little reference collection. Or as my wife calls it “Anchoring the house to the earth with books”

Many who have seen my reference set ask “Do you use them all” the answer is two part “Yes” and “Depending on the subject I am working on I cross reference” So there you have it Bill, hopefully this will point you in a direction to find a few of these. All are great books, each has its own specific use and some tend to overlap.

Let me know if you need anything else. Now I have to go and see my insurance agent and upgrade my security system on the model room. Maybe I should just build a vault as my next project [;)]

Cheers:

Gregory

11

WOW! That’s quite a list.

12

Bill:

The 26 books I have from Kalmbach. As I said each has a specific reference that has helped at one time or another to answer the “How can I make…” or “What colour do I paint…”. I would suggest you do what I do when looking for a new reference. Find a copy at the local hobby shop and have a quick scan through each to see if meets your requirements. I have ordered some from Kalmbach direct and picked up others from varied sources.

There are reviews of most of these on-line that you can also read prior to buying them. However some of these I bought or received without knowing what was contained in the booklet and each was a great addition to the reference library.

I will be passing some of these on to my 6 nephews and 1 niece when they start building and need to learn the skills of the hobby.

Cheers;

Gregory

13

All I’ve got is the “How to use an airbrush” book; can’t remember the author. I liked the metal MiG-21 project in there that I decided to do it myself, intimidating as it looked. And so far it’s turning out to be a piece of cake!

14

Check out www.amazon.com I have found quite a few there that I want. There prices probably aren’t anything spectacular, but most can be bought used for a good price. Except the one, it was $99 for a $14 book! HA! The listing below that one was selling it for $10! I wonder which one sells first?