Book Review of Real Weathering
Authors: Dick Taylor & Andy Brend
Green Series No. 4128
Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) (Stratus)
ISBN: 978-83-66549-37-1
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2023
MSRP: $55.00
Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) (Stratus)
ISBN: 978-83-66549-37-1
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2023
MSRP: $55.00
THE BOOK:
Mushroom Model Publications (MMP)-Stratus is based in Poland.
This book is soft-cover of 156 pages in 8” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art is a color photo of a front view of a tank moving in a forest and raising a cloud of dust. I cannot say what the name of this tank is. I do not know.
This is a book about weathering and designed with one audience in mind – the military modeler. To be sure, there are many books concerned with weathering military models available, but they all concentrate on weathering techniques-pre-shading, washes, pin-washes, dry-brushing, hairspray. You name it, it has a technique. This book is different: it does not tell the modeler how to achieve a particular finish. Rather, it is a reference book, showing a range of real military vehicles and their components in real military environments.
The book holds ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and an INTRODUCTION , with 12 color photos of military vehicles in it. Including a repeat of the cover art photo.
There are 7 chapters.
Chapter 1: Canvas & Textiles
This is perhaps the best chapter in the book. It shows 43 color photos of canvas truck roofs, mantle covers, side curtains, seat cushions, tents, tote bags, boat cover, sand bags etc.
Chapter 2: Dirt & Dust
This chapter shows 52 color photos of tanks and vehicles. However, I cannot see dirt and dust on about half of them.
Chapter 3: Engines, Exhausts & instruments
This chapter is pretty good. It shows every inch of the anatomy of an engine in 43 color photos. They also show a dashboard and exhaust pipes.
Chapter 4: Fuel, Grease & Oil
This is the poorest chapter. Photos are taken mostly of wheel hubs. I fail to see any fuel, grease oil in these 25 color photos.
Chapter 5: Mud, Glorious Mud
I fail to see any mud on half of the 21 color photos here of tanks.
Chapter 6: Rust
Rust is seen on a length of steel chain, side armor, exhaust pipes, a WWI tank in an outdoor display at a museum, etc. in these 46 color photos. Very good chapter showing rust on tanks and vehicles.
Chapter 7: Tracks & Tracked Suspensions
51 color photos that show tracks very well. About 3 or 4 that are too far away from the subject being photographed to make out any details.
My biggest complaint about this book is the total lack of any photos of World War Two or World War One tanks, other than the lone 4 shots in the 6th chapter of the WWI tank.
I recommend the book otherwise.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. They are the N. American distributor of MMP Books and all their titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at: