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The Osprey Modelling Series - An Easily Obtainable Resource

A Brief Introduction To Osprey's Modelling Series

Several publishing houses have seen the financial advantages of catering specifically to modellers. The most well-known of these companies is doubtless Verlinden who have a wide range of books covering construction painting, finishing and diorama techniques. Another, more recent arrival, has been Letterman Productions (Part of the VLS Corporation) who have published a number of excellent books particularly their continuing series on modelling LVT Amtracs. Osprey have taken a more 'multi-disciplined' approach to their publications - not only do they deal with armor subjects, their modelling series covers Diorama Groundwork, Figures and an expanding series of Aviation Modelling titles. As Osprey has established itself as one of the major military publishers, their books act as a perfect complement to their other reference material.

Categories And Titles

There are three distinct categories in Osprey's modelling books these are: Modelling Manuals There are a total of twenty titles in this series Modelling Masterclass This series contains six titles Osprey Modelling The series currently contains twelve titles - nine are currently available, three for future publication

Modelling Manuals

These books were the first of their type published by Osprey the emphasis is clearly on technique and actual projects.
The Titles

Basic Aviation Modelling (Modelling Manuals 1) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Advanced Aviation Modelling (Modelling Manuals 2) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Basic Military Vehicle Modelling (Modelling Manuals 3) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Advanced Military Vehicle Modelling (Modelling Manuals 4) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Intermediate Military Vehicle Modelling (Modelling Manuals 5) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Airbrush Painting Techniques (Modelling Manuals 6) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

WWII Dioramas (Modelling Manuals 7) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling and Painting Figures (Modelling Manuals 8) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling WWII Figures (Modelling Manuals 9) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling Postwar Tanks (Modelling Manuals 10) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling Soft-Skinned Military Vehicles (Modelling Manuals 11) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Postwar Aircraft (Modelling Manuals 12) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger (Modelling Manuals 13) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

M4 Sherman (Modelling Manuals 14) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Panzerkampfwagen III (Modelling Manuals 15) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

T-34/76 & T-34/85 (Modelling Manuals 16) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Modelling Manuals 17) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Supermarine Spitfire (Modelling Manuals 18) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

North American P-51 Mustang (Modelling Manuals 19) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (Modelling Manuals 20) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling Masterclass

As the name suggests, this series is written by some very well-known modellers in their respective fields. Names such as Geoff Coughlin (aviation), Tony Greenland (Armor Modelling) and Richard Windrow (Diorama Groundwork) all showcase their work in this short series. The Titles

Ancient and Medieval Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

Battle Honours US Military Model Show Medal-Winners (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

Panzer Modelling (revised second edition) (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

Terrain Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

World War 2 Luftwaffe Fighter Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

World War 2 US Army Fighter Modeling (Modelling Masterclass) US Price: $29.95 UK Price: £19.99

Osprey Modelling

This series takes a slightly different approach to the other series, as each deals with a different vehicle or aircraft, the emphasis is primarily on construction projects. An example of this (taken from Modelling The M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank), are the following chapter headings:

Introduction

Kits and Materials

On To Paris! ( M3a3 in French Markings)

Russian Dieppe (Lend-Lease Stuart)

Battle Of The Bocage (M5a1)

Other Stuart modelling Projects

Further Reading (A very useful bibliography)

Museums and collections

Index and color swatches.

The Titles:

Modelling the Harrier I and II (Osprey Modelling 1) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the Messerschmitt Bf 110 (Osprey Modelling 2) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the F-4 Phantom II (Osprey Modelling 3) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank (Osprey Modelling 4) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the Matilda Infantry Tank (Osprey Modelling 5) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the SdKfz 251 Halftrack (Osprey Modelling 6) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the IS Heavy Tank (Osprey Modelling 9) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the Jagdpanzer 38(t) 'Hetzer' (Osprey Modelling 10) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the P-47 Thunderbolt (Osprey Modelling 11) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling US Army Tank Destroyers of World War II (Osprey Modelling 13) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the M113 Series (Osprey Modelling 14) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Modelling the P-40 Hawk 81, Tomahawk, Warhawk and Kittyhawk (Osprey Modelling 15) US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99

Once again an impressive list of authors are used with this series. Names such as Steven Zaloga (Armor) or Brett Green(Aviation) are responsible for what is an extremely professionally produced series.

Conclusions and Further Reading..

Personally, owning 6-7 of the titles, I find the series incredibly useful. The availability of the series is excellent as well - a wide range of their titles can be found in the bookstore chains without much difficulty. The price is also another important factor, their value is truly extraordinary. For someone who may well only contemplate doing one or two versions of a particular aircraft or AFV they are also extremely useful. As this feature is only intended as an overall guide to what is available and not a review, some links to reviews of some of the titles are provided below:

Terrain Modelling

Modelling The IS Heavy Tank

Modelling The M3/M5 Stuart

Modelling U.S. Tank destroyers of WWII

Modelling the Messerschmitt Bf 110

Osprey's Website, which helpfully includes on-line shopping facilities, can be accessed:

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