Do any of you get useful ideas from the books on the bargain rack at the closest mega bookstore? (Borders and Barnes & Noble for me in the part of the USA)
They always have big coffee table books on Military Aircraft and such for $5 - $10.
Naturally these aren't going to give the detail that you need if you're getting really fine, but for paint general paint schemes and macro exteriors they're a bargain.

Have you had any luck in used book stores? eBay?

Local lending libraries are my number one source of reference books.
Perhaps I am spoiled here in Fife but they have an online searchable index
that covers the whole area, probably about 50 libraries and the reserve
stock too. Free to get stuff reserved and sent to you local library.
Really a magic service. Nothing wrong with those coffee table books either.

Hi Scott

Well, I am maybe an exception, but I try to buy the books I need. You cannot replace good refs by cheapos. Of course it is sometimes good to watch out for bargains, e.g. at Midlands or similar companies, but if I think I need book I will find a way to buy it (e.g. I bought both Merrick Lw C&M vols at the full u.k. price, and that was well before the almost 1:1 situation we have now). Also, you do not need all the books at the same time, so if you buy one every few months you can build up a very good library without getting broke, even if it takes a little longer.

Before anyone comes up with it: please do not post links to the stolen books sites where you can download all kind of scanned stuff. IMO if you are not willing to pay for a reference it is just not worth getting it.

I agree that if you need something special for just one model project it would be best to loan it from the library.

just my two €-ct

all the best

Steffen

D'Oh!

I'm so spoiled with buying books that I always forget the library.
Our local system also has a county-wide network!
My wife uses it all the time for books on nutrition (that's her hobby - for better or for worse for me )

i use google images for instance type in p-51d walk around gives you all the pics you need

Have you discovered Kagero yet - these Polish publishers produce an inexpensive series of nicely produced photo booklets for modellers called 'Topshots' - some have extras such as decal sheets. Easy to find and very cheap!..