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For the Telford Mirage SIG this year I will build an Israeli Mirage IIIC with Atar9C engine. It will wear the colorful yellow triangles and 12 killmarks. There are several goodies I have bought for the build: Isracast/ Isradecals: - Shahak-Book - Shahak-Decals - Atar9C-Conversion - MB Mk4-Bangseat - Shafrir2-Missles Eduard: - Wheels - Interior Set - Exterior Set - Seatbelts - Masks Master: - Pitot Matterhorn Circle: - Atar9C-Exhaust AK: - Colors

F.A.Q. Figure Painting Techniques By Kiril Kanaev (Ak-Interactive) Price: €74,90 Kiril Kanaev is a master modeler with worldwide recognition in the figure modelling and painting. I was very surprised and excited by the launch of this book, first by the author itself (one of the best figure painter in the world) and then for the type fo book: a F.A.Q. where compiled everything about painting figures. I had expectation that this book would cover the art of painting figures completely or almost entirely. We will see. The book is huge. It has 487 pages, in satin paper with excellent coloring. The English version was translate by Chris Medding, David Grummit and Rick Lawler, so we can be sure of a smooth and unblemished text. Looking at the index, we can see the why of the book being so big. 1. Materials 1.1 Paints 1.2 Tools 1.3 Auxiliary products & basics 2. Before we Start on our figure 2.1 Workspace 2.2 Getting our figure ready 3. Colors 3.1 Color concepts 3.2 Color mixes 4. Lighting concepts 4.1 Basic concepts 4.2 Lights depending on the position of the details 5. Techniques 5.1 Techniques with acrylics 5.2 Techniques with oils 5.3 Glazes 5.4 Stippling 5.5 Outlining 5.6 How, and when, to use the dry-brushing technique 5.7 How, and when, to use the sponge technique 5.8 Airbrush techniques for figures 6. Painting figures. Applying techniques 6.1 How to paint skin 6.2 How to paint hands 6.3 How to paint eyes 6.4 How to paint the hair 6.5 How to paint clothes 6.6 Elements of animal origin 6.7 Reflective surfaces 6.8 Non metallic metal technique 6.9 Wood 6.10 Gemstones, pearls and crystal 6.11 Special effects Despite being a modeler for over thirty years now, I never painted a figure, although in recent times, I has already started one but I haven't finished it yet. Thus, the materials chapter is basically aimed at beginners but each type of paint and varnish has on the part of the author a brief explanation of the paints, their use and their features. Still being a model maker with “some” experience, I found the information provided very useful. The same can be said about the use of brushes and their conservation. In this chapter the author leaves nothing behind, talking about compressors, airbrushes, wetpallet, holder and other tools Keep this record in chapter 1.3, looking at the applications and advantages of various types of glue, putty and others After going through the basic but very complete notions of the chapter, we have not yet entered the figure painting directly, but we continue with the preliminaries. The choice of the figure, moving to workspace (2.1) (what`s the best light to paint model figures) and the preparation of the figure, chapter 2.2 .. Here it is very important the steps presented in order to obtain a figure without defects and perfectly built with reinforcement of the limbs and placement on the base. The filling and putty section caught my special attention, with an excellent job of “reconstructing” the face of an “Apache” figure. It got a much more expressive face. Chapter 3.1 (color concepts) gives the notion of the study of color. I do not say elementary notions because it is more than that, at least for me, as it is very composed in the different aspects of color: HUE (pure state of the color), Brightness, Saturation, color temperature and its implications in the figures, with clear examples and graphics. It is very educational and in fact gives us notions about the behavior of color. And to complete this color theory, the author presents chapter 3.2 (color mixes) where he demonstrates in practice, the behaviors of color showing various mixes based on primary colors. After the color teachings, chapter 4.1 and 4.2 presents the basic concepts of lights and shadows and the effects of light on the figures and their dimensions. What is called “zenital light”, the lights and shadows created from a point of light, depending on their angle of incidence. This "personal definition" is highly reductive compared to the explanations and study carried out by the author Check the pics: We go into chapter 5: Techniques. I am not going to describe here what all the techniques presented consist of because it did not make sense or explain in any way what Kiril does and exemplifies in a masterful way. Its not only brush painting techniques but also with sponge and airbrush, so I leave you photographs with the different techniques that allow you to check the method of step-by-step used as well as the quality of the photos accompanied with the explanatory text. The Author could almost stop here ... but no ...In Chapter 6 and sub-chapters the author applies the techniques he explained in the previous chapter to several specific situations, taking the development of techniques even further, to the absolut perfection. Thus chapter 6 begins with skin painting giving special emphasis to the face, be it white skin, black skin, sioux skin, dark skin and even scars. The top noch: tatoos! As you can see in the photos, the presentation of the techniques is the same with a very explicit step-by-step. After going through the painting of the hands, chapter 6.3 is dedicated to one of the most complex and difficult points. At least for me: painting the eyes. Like its was not not enough to explain how to paint the eyes, we still have several types of eyes and how to paint them .. Insane !! Madly insane and wonderful ... Finish the painting of the body elements with the hair. In chapter 6.5, a new phase of painting begins: clothes. Once again, we cannot expect it to be a simple chapter. The author dedicates shows camouflaged clothing, with step-by-step techniques and used coulor. As for these clothing styles, it is an excellent source of information by it own but the nex thingwas totally unexpected for me. Paint clothes with textures?? The chapter 6.5.2. with the study of each fabric and how to achieve, through painting, the effect of the same and extends from pages 236 to 285. We drop the textures, move on to synthetic and animal skin. The attention to detail is impressive, to say the least ... I no longer have words and as such I leave you with some images. The next chapter was one of the chapters that most intrigued me: Reflectives surfaces. A long explanation is given about the reflective surfaces and their understanding of the nature and behavior of the reflective surfaces in the light. After the theoretical explanation, since simples shapes (flat, sphere) to more complex ones (full helmet), we move on to the practice and the different techniques used by the author for different finishing, always with enormous success. I think that with practical explanation and with a lot of practice we can get an acceptable result (at least, I hope so). The chapter 6.8 is also a brand new world for me… Non Metallic Metal Techinique, but makes perfect sense… reflected surface based on the different optical properties of the material. Through pages 344 to 387 the author puts down all his knowledge and experience explain all the theorist with all views and surface nature in order to get the final solution on getting the perfect tone, color and aspect that they are looking for. After the long explanation, comes the specific situations of NMM like the steel color ( 6.8.1), with a step-by-step of painting a steel armor or engraved steel (6.8.2) with a painted shield, bronze (6.8.3), cooper (6.8.4), brass (6.8.5), golden (6.8.6), chainmail (6.7.7) scratches and chipping oin mtellic helmet (6.8.8). A new chapter: wood. Right here I am a little more comfortable due to my experience with WWI airplanes and the frequent need to paint wood ... However, the technique presented and the results obtained are surprising. Totally different from the technique that I use. To experience soon!! Another chapter that was very curious was chapter 6.10 - Gemstones, pearls and crystal. Mainly how to paint glass, or rather how to simulate painted glass. Once again, the theoretical description is very important and very illuminating and in the next sub-chapter, we have the practice of how to paint a glass bottle. Or rather how to simulate the glass by painting two solid resin bottles. The final chapter: 6.11 Special Effects Here the author covers a very interesting technique: OLE (Object Source Light). In other words, that painting technique that allows the observer to erect the figure in the way that his painter intends, giving illuminated or specific light point with the smoking figure in which the light point will be a fireplace. This chapter is subdivided in two: artificial point of light (with the example of a devil) and double illumination. To finish and unlike a gallery (which, in fact, here didn't make sense with the huge amount of photos throughout the book) we have a very useful reference table. CONCLUSION Well, what a long review and I was not exhaustive ... This book has a lot of information that is impossible to summarize it in a way worthy of the book itself. it is a real must-have not only for model makers but for all model makers because there are techniques here that are universally used in all areas of model making. Its information is very well compiled and structured, allowing access to it in a very easy way, not only for reading but for the immense step-by-step that the author presents us throughout the book. So I can only say that this book is highly recommended to all modelers! My truly thanks to Fernando Vallejo and Ak-interactive for the review sample.

Wrecked Planes AK - Interactive Price tag: 22,95€ (plus shipping) AK-Interactive is becoming bigger and bigger in the world of Modeling, covering all aspects of model making, from consumables of enormous quality, to own kits as well as in high quality publications. This week we received the Wrecked Planes with great enthusiasm, as it is not very common this kind of work, mainly due to the difficulty in creating dioramas with planes, especially dioramas with downed planes. The cast of modelers who worked on this title guarantees us works of excellence right away. The book is in A4 format and has about 143 pages, with soft cover with reinforced inner cover. The paper is satin finish, with a good touch and with excellent printing, giving a lot of quality to the colors and image. Opening the book, we have an introduction with beautiful photographs of the second world war, very inspiring for future works. As for the content and looking at the index, there`s works for everyone taste: -Junkers Ju-87 B-2 – Airtor Azkue -Messerschmitt Me-163B – Airtor Azkue -Aero L-29 Delphin – Daniel Zamarbide -Lockheed F-104 Starfighter – Fabrizio Mercuri -A-4N Skyhawk – Christoff Theunissen -Pipper PA-“Pawbee” – Ugur Kenel -Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero – Kristoff Pulinckx -Yakovlev Yak-3 – Daniel Zamarbide -PBY Catalina – Roberto Ballesteros -Grumman S-2A Tracker – René Van Der Hart -Electric Lightning F.2A/F.6 – Juan Villegas All authors either present airplanes in poor repair, due to abandonment or because they were shoot down, destroyed or abandon. Being destroyed planes, all are presented in diorama or vignette and in different natural environments, which is great because it allows to see the approach of the various authors both to the creation of the wear / destruction of the planes and to the creation of the respective lands. The work by Aitor Azkue (1:32 Trumpeter Ju-87B-2 and 1:32 Meng Me-163), a true master, are always a piece of art and the dynamic given is unique. I already knew these two dioramas but I think this is the first time that I have seen it in full detail articles. Aitor gives some looks of his real talent with pictures in detail and with several step-by-step in the various phases of construction. Both planes were shot down with the author showing a great balance in the creation of these works of art, sharing some of this with the reader. The level of detail and realism is extraordinary; Something that Aitor has already accustomed us. Just a note, a negative one, at least for me. The swastika is cut, but it´s not Aitor Azkue fault. I´m not going down on that polemic subject but is History that it can`t not be forgetten. So, it is an editorial option from AK (probably to sale the book in Germany) as I already saw pictures of these Aitor works and the complete swastika is there. Daniel Zamarbide, a very well-knowed modeler and a very talent one, also presented us with two fantastic works, giving special emphasis to L-29 at 1:72, all in metal, in a small setting harsh winter season. A step by step of all the construction of the plane as well as the base, since it is already worth the price of the book. Zamarbide's other work is the 1:48 Yak-3 (Zvezda), also in winter. Once again the highly explanatory step-by-step is very welcome at all levels, both at the level of the model itself and at the level of the base. A fabulous work by Fabrizio Mercuri is the 1:32 Italeri F-104 Starfighter, a small vignette, with only the front of the F-104's fuselage. The author carefully show all the main steps in construction and painting. I particularly highlight the discoloration and wear and tear given to the insignia (which are decals). Simply brilliant. The next one is a little gem. A great little weathering job is the 1:72 KP Piper Pa25 “Pawnee” by Ugur Kenle. The visual result is very good and the author is able to show step by step the whole painting and weathering process being a outstading learning asset for everyone! In this case, there is no how-to of the little base, nor is there even an enlightening and complete image that shows the work in question in a splendid way. I would love to see it. Next up is the 1:72 Academy PBY Catalina by Roberto Ballesteros. Right here, although the work is wonderful (perhaps the best in the book) there are only photos of the complete work and a short text by the author to explain, in a succinct way, how he managed to obtain such effects and carry out the work he did. Too bad because it was one of the works, when I saw it announced, that I really wanted to see a step-by-step and it is the only work that does not have any work in progress pictures. So it just step out of the other works and the intended concept of this book as it´s not only gallery but also and mainly a learning book. The 1:48 Kinetic Grumman S-2A Tracker by René Van der Hart, is the opposite of Catalina. It is a magnificent work, but like the others, it has lots of how-to and step-by step photos, either of construction (in its main points) or in painting, or finally in weathering. The 1:48 Hasegawa A-4N SkyHawk by Christoff Theunissen gives us another perspective so far, as it is the scenario in the desert and the extent of the damage to be replicated is more specific and concrete. The author was careful to present his tricks clearly regarding bullet damage along the fuselage. Of course, the Pacific beaches could not be left out and here are very well represented by the 1:32 Tamiya A6M5 Zero by Kristoff Pulincx, that it´s on the cover of this book. The author is careful to show in detail and very well explained how he obtained the damage created in the fuselage and the wings. The painting phase and especially the weathering has a very intuitive and clear step-by-step explanation. This diorama is perfect, with the weathering spot on. Finally, for originality, my favorite: 1:48 Airfix Electric Lightning by Juan Villegas A small vignette using only the front part of an Electric Lighting, on an outdoor display, with all the natural dirt. The graffiti and 3D figure taking a selfie makes this vignette a real delight. Here, also the explanation of the weathering and scratch building of the support cart and the base is very explicit and clear. CONCLUSION: Another killer publication from Ak-Interactive! Beside the paper quality and printer definition that is top quality, the content of this book is a quite inspiration one to all the modellers and dioramas modellers Very Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes Our thanks to the Fernando and AK-Interactive for this review sample and all the support. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller!