Published by: Seaforth
Author: Les Brown
Series: Ship Craft (Number 15)
Review by: Les Venus (Jan 2012)
With thanks to Justin Gainham of Bookworld.
I have been a huge fan of Seaforth Books Ship Craft Series since I took up modelling. This one is as good as the rest.
Published only last year, its arrival is timely given that HMS Warspite is a Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship and is next up on my build list.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge images.
The series are not the definitive reference material on their subject, but they are not meant to be. What they absolutely are is a super and highly inspirational mix of reference, gift shop and real models.
What I mean is that the book is full of really helpful photography of the real ship and is supported by text that demands to be read.
It is followed by a through look at the available kits and the accessories that support them. Mostly in this case in 1:700th scale as the new Academy kit is very recent.
The made up models are all eye-wateringly good and include examples from my ship-modelling heroes Ian Ruscoe and Kostas Katseas, so for me this is a modelling feast.
The book features all of the Queen Elizabeth Class, which include: Warspite, Queen Elizabeth, Barham, Malaya and Valiant.
It also covers their development and, in some cases, their ultimate demise. For me, I am left not only eager for more information but more kits to build especially the 2 funnel Queen Elizabeth.
Given I am building Academy’s new 1:350th HMS Warspite, this book is really invaluable and especially the side plates outlining the types of camouflage.
For Warspite I was drawn to its 1942 Mediterranean 2 grey block camouflage scheme. It’s stunning and I am very tempted to build this version, but then up pop the 1937 scheme in grey with red white and blue neutrality stripes on B Turret.
In summary…
Whether you build any of these ships or not, this book is still highly recommended and is simply a great read. Get one; you will love it.
Les V.