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Book Review
Night Fighters
Night Fighters
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by: Mecenas [ MECENAS ]

Content
Contents is divided into separate chapters, each focusing on a different model. In the first issue we can read about the building and painting process of the following German nightfighters:
  • HeinkelHe 219A-0”Uhu” - 1/32 scale, Zoukei-Mura by Aitor Azuke
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-6/R11 - 1/32 scale, Hasegawa by Daniel Zamarbide
  • Heinkel He 177 A-5 “Greif” - 1/48 scale, MPM by Andrés Montiel
  • Messerschmitt Me 262 B-1a/U1 – 1/48 scale, Dragon by Jose L. Etxaide
  • Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 – 1/72 scale, Eduard by Manuel Gil
  • Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 – 1/48 scale, Eduard by Tomás de la Fuente

As some kind of additional content, not quite flying but for sure related with the topic of the issue there are two more articles in the section titled “Mind the gap”:
  • Instruction of painting the Luftwaffe pilot from Ultracast by Roberto Martinez
  • Painting guide of Luftwaffe Kfz.385 Tankwagen (1/35 scale, Italeri) by Francisco J. Martinez

Inside the first volume I have also found an insert with the four-page guide through the AK Interactive products: product lines, modulation and effect sets, explanation of downscaling effect, sample colours chart etc. For those of you who are especially interested in the aviation-related art there's a nice addition of a two page fold-out poster of a nice blonde fraulein in a night-fighter outfit, with an accent put on “night”.

As you already know what is inside let me describe how it's presented. As fas as I understand the idea of this magazine the general clue is “a picture is worth more than 1000 words”. Each build and model is presented on tens of photographs showing each step with a short, one or two sentences long, essential description of what happens on the particular picture. The quality of pictures is superb, there's no chance to miss anything. The last pictures present a completed model on a few bigger photos taken from different angles. Emphasis of the building process is definitely put on the painting and assembly sequence rather than conversion or upgrading the basic set (of course if you can only say “basic” about the ZM He 219...). Authors describe their favourite techniques. For the painting each author uses different brands of products from the leading companies, but what could be expected, the weathering and other effects are exclusively achieved with the AK products.

Summary
The magazine is really thick, it's a heavy load of top-notch modelling. On 86 pages we are flooded with a large variety of different painting and weathering techniques, with a detailed description of properties of many products from the AK Interactive range as well as the tips for their best use. If you are not yet familiar with them you can simply follow the authors technique until you find your own way.

The next issue will be a special edition focused on the Great War planes, as a commemoration of the centenary of WW1 with the models in 1/32 and 1/48 scales. The authors will present to us how to create realistic fabric and wood structure, rigging and weathering effects.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.

Our thanks to AK Interactive for providing the review sample.
SUMMARY
Highs: outstanding models presented in the articles, great quality of photographs, many painting “tips &nd tricks” presented in the articles
Lows: addressed to a very specific/particular group of modellers
Verdict: useful and inspiring, you may learn a lot almost directly from the very talented modellers.
  Scale: N/A
  Mfg. ID: AK2900
  Suggested Retail: 9,00 EUR
  Related Link: AK Interactive
  PUBLISHED: Sep 03, 2014
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 89.66%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.83%

Our Thanks to AK Interactive!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Mecenas

Copyright ©2021 text by Mecenas [ MECENAS ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Thanks a bunch for the great news. I can't wait to get my hands on this. I am in North America however and am wondering if/how it will be marketed on my side of the pond. Again, thanks again for the great news. Regards Jim
SEP 05, 2014 - 07:52 AM
   
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