forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on May 04, 2024, 10:32:36 AM

Title: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Brad Cancian on May 04, 2024, 10:32:36 AM
Hi all,

Normally I would post this in the book section, but I wanted to place it here for maximum exposure given this is a book by one of our own forum members, William Adair!

The book is titled "First World War Aircraft in Scale: Scratchbuilding in 1/144 Scale":

(https://i.imgur.com/X3z4pww.jpg)

We have all seen his mind blowingly good work in 1/144 scratch building on this site, and on others, and he has now published a book detailing his builds and techniques. This book is sure to provide us plenty more details regarding his techniques and strategies for tackling WW1 subjects in tiny scale. William also mixes a nice dash of history in with his narrative, as well as some first class progress pictures. Here's a teaser:

(https://i.imgur.com/7lFIUyv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TZfMkJE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DpYFjuY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WZhPENr.jpg)

The book is currently available for pre-order from Fonthill Media and is scheduled for release in July. Here's a link to the pre-order page:

https://www.fonthill.media/products/ww1-in-scale

This is certainly one that i'll be buying to add to my book shelf, if only to gain some insight into the techniques William uses to create his miniature masterpieces. Please support one of our own in his venture (hopefully it will mean that we get to see more down the track)!

I am sure William will chime in with any questions that anyone may have regarding his new book.

Cheers!

Brad C
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 04, 2024, 06:33:27 PM
Already pre-ordered  :D

Mike
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on May 05, 2024, 12:19:47 AM
I would love to have this, but with shipping costing 1.5 times the cost of the book, I just can't justify it on my current budget.  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Warren
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: William Adair on May 05, 2024, 12:21:04 PM
Thank you Brad for the amazing write up. Thank you too Mike for placing the order. I hope you will enjoy it!

Warren, I was dismayed by how much the postage was to some locations.  I'm really sorry about that. The publisher told me that the book will be available via other places like Amazon once it goes to print, so the postage may well be reduced or even free in some cases.  I hope you will be able to get a copy eventually. Apparently the only downside with Amazon is that any royalties for the sale of the book are drastically reduced there. Mind you, I never went into it thinking I would be making a profit. So if getting it through Amazon or similar is the difference between being able to snag a copy or not, I'd say have at it.  ;)
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Borsos on May 05, 2024, 05:32:14 PM
Looks definitely like a must-have! But given the shipping costs to Germany, I am afraid I also need to purchase it via Amazon once available there.
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: DaddyO on May 05, 2024, 05:57:18 PM
Congrats William - looks to be a must read (and buy)

Paul
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on May 05, 2024, 10:11:42 PM
Apparently the only downside with Amazon is that any royalties for the sale of the book are drastically reduced there.

And that is why I great prefer to NOT buy through Amazon if I can. Not only do you deserve your royalties, the publisher deserves to make a profit on their efforts as well and I'm assuming those are reduced also.

No worries pard, it is what it is.

Warren
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: NigelR on May 06, 2024, 06:54:41 PM
Great work, will have to get this even though it's not my scale.....
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on May 07, 2024, 08:30:22 AM
Great work, will have to get this even though it's not my scale.....

I figure that if he can show me how to do something in 1/144th, then applying it to 1/72nd should be easier!!??  At least that's my hope!  ;) ;) ;)

Warren
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: torbiorn on May 07, 2024, 09:01:58 AM
Oh, wow, what a nice surprise. The postage was indeed ridiculous, but I can’t pass this one up. Preordered my copy :)
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: gedmundson on May 07, 2024, 10:41:16 AM
That looks fantastic. Williams work is in a very high league to put is mildly - I'm definitely ordering this book.
Cheers and congrats to Mr. Adair.
Gary
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: PJ Fisher on May 07, 2024, 10:50:13 AM
bravo!
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Dutch522 on May 07, 2024, 01:24:40 PM
I'm in. Exquisite work... it reminds me of Des at his best. I'm sure he'd be proud to have it showcased on the Forum.

Dutch
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: KiwiZac on May 22, 2024, 01:50:23 PM
Congratulations William, this rejected author is so pleased to see this! Bravo! It looks like a terrific work and a great read.

I figure that if he can show me how to do something in 1/144th, then applying it to 1/72nd should be easier!!??
What a wonderful way to look at it!
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on May 23, 2024, 01:06:39 AM
Congratulations William, this rejected author is so pleased to see this! Bravo! It looks like a terrific work and a great read.

I figure that if he can show me how to do something in 1/144th, then applying it to 1/72nd should be easier!!??
What a wonderful way to look at it!

Well, that's my way of looking at it at least.  ;)
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: DaddyO on May 25, 2024, 04:47:42 AM
That's mine ordered  ;D
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Rookie on June 01, 2024, 06:44:02 PM
I am a long time admirer of your work here William, and I didn't hesitate for a moment to pre-order a copy.

I have a question though:

On the Fonthill website it says that the book has 192 pages, but in Brad's review, the last picture shows pagenumer 200.

Can't wait to actually hold it in my hands!

Cheers
Willem
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: William Adair on June 06, 2024, 08:42:56 PM
Wow, thank you. You guys are the best! 
It should be out next month if all goes according to plan. I thought it was hard to finally declare a model finished, but a book is a whole other story.  I keep thinking of things I want to add or subtract.  :-[

Willem, I just checked and the final version looks to be 219 pages including the bibliography. Hopefully that should be correct.  I hope everyone who receives a copy will enjoy it. I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing it myself!
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Rookie on June 12, 2024, 04:05:46 PM
I would love to have this, but with shipping costing 1.5 times the cost of the book, I just can't justify it on my current budget.  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Warren

Warren,

In Europe we have same problem when we buy things in the USA.

Have you scanned the Fonthill website? They have lots of other interesting books at interesting prices.

I bought a second book: https://www.fonthill.media/products/aircraft-modelling

This way you get two books but only pay once for shipping.

To do this, you can contact Fonthill Media via their contact form on the website:

Regards,
Willem
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 26, 2024, 09:57:13 AM
Hi William,
Just to say I received my copy of your book today.
An amazing piece of work covering an exceptionally skillful subject.

Mike
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: William Adair on August 27, 2024, 10:23:56 PM
Wow, that's fantastic news. I hope you will enjoy it!
It sounds like Fonthill sent the copies out via express, as I heard that the book is already turning up on the doorstep of people in the US too. Looking forward to getting my copy and checking it out  ;D
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Rookie on August 28, 2024, 03:02:44 AM
Not on my doorstep yet.

I sit here on a chair in the hall by the letterbox impatiently waiting....

Willem
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 28, 2024, 03:41:46 AM
Wow, that's fantastic news. I hope you will enjoy it!
It sounds like Fonthill sent the copies out via express, as I heard that the book is already turning up on the doorstep of people in the US too. Looking forward to getting my copy and checking it out  ;D

Just listened to your podcast on the Plastic Model Mojo.
Fascinating stuff,

Mike
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on August 28, 2024, 04:39:14 AM
I'm currently part way through the podcast, great stuff so far!

Warren
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: torbiorn on August 28, 2024, 06:40:09 AM
I’ve yet to receive notice of shipment. I did order two books to split the shipping cost, but of some reason ghey sent me the other already in May/June… Hope there isn’t a mistake.
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 28, 2024, 08:28:02 AM
Hi all,
I wouldn't worry about deliveries.
I did contact the publishers and they emailed back that there was a delay at the printers.
I think all orders are on their way now,

Mike
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: William Adair on August 28, 2024, 09:42:23 PM
Fingers crossed all the orders arrive safely. I hope the pod interview came out sounding okay. I was feeling rather self-conscious and struggling with the flu at the same time. I think I have a voice for Morse code...  ;D
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: WD on August 28, 2024, 11:45:13 PM
William, you sound great! I'm going to have to re-listen to make sure I understand some of your methods. So far this has been VERY informative!

Warren
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Rookie on September 06, 2024, 02:28:34 AM
Yes!

(https://i.postimg.cc/s2wFbmkT/20240905-181652.jpg)

They're in. Leafing quickly through both of them I am already convinced they are worth the wait.

I'm afraid I'll be of the grid for a while now...

Willem
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Rookie on September 16, 2024, 06:20:08 PM
Hi William,
I have read your book from Aa to Zz and I just have one word for it:

OUTSTANDING!

The descriptions of the techniques you use, the great pictures to support the text, the explanations of the use of tools, it all comes together. I use digital callipers too, but I have never used the step guide! The use of masking to create the rib effect I have seen before, but not so well explained as you do.

Your technique of how to make spoke wheels didn’t make it to the book. Was that intentional?

As you may know, I am working on an (almost) scratch build of the Handley Page V1500 and I was burning out on it a little. It’s a vast project, and with all the other things going on in life it’s hard to keep my mojo sometimes. I’ve been working on the cockpit, which is almost a model in its own right, and I am struggling with the petrol controls momentarily. They are an eye-catcher but they are hard to make.

I’m glad that I was able to buy 4 Rolls-Royce Eagle engine sprues while WNW was still in business. On the HP V/1500 they were uncowled, so I’m glad I don’t have to scratch-build them…

But your book is exactly what I need to get me going again! It made me realize that it is not a sign of failure to commit to another part or project sometimes.

Modelling should be fun!
 
Cheers,
Willem
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: DaddyO on September 16, 2024, 06:58:03 PM
My copy arrived earlier in the week and I can only reiterate the views already expressed - Inspirational!

Read it quickly cover to cover over a few days and immediately picked up a few new and useful tips.
Now starting to re-read it in greater detail and really appreciating the excellent photography and detailed descriptions more fully. There's a huge amount of knowledge contained within its covers. Even if you have no intent to build one of these little jewels I pretty much guarantee you'll find something of interest within.
It's beautifully printed and a handy size - It would have been easy to make it big and glossy, but that would have reduced its usefulness IMO. Printed, as it is, a tad smaller than the well known Osprey series of books it's a handy size to have on the workbench at all times ready for instant referral. It's instantly become one of my favourite modelling books  8)

Paul
Title: Re: A book by one of our own! First World War Aircraft: Scratchbuilding in 1/144
Post by: Nigttr on September 18, 2024, 08:57:33 PM
Agree with Rookie re the step guide on callipers, hadn’t realised it was there!  Also fully agree with the usefulness of a jewellers mitre block as referred to in the book. Bought one around 10 years ago at Scale Modelworld in UK and it’s become one of my favourite tools, being used on almost every model I have made since.

Excellent book, worth a read to pick up new tips.

Nig