A convincing paint finish is essential for any model, be it military or civilian, aircraft, vehicles, figures or even background items such as terrain or buildings - and good airbrushing and finishing techniques can be the key to creating a superior model. Over the last few years there have been huge strides made in the development of airbrushes, paints and thinners, and consequently, this new book will provide up-to-date practical information and illustrated techniques to take full advantage of these new technologies.
Brett Green details the prerequisites of airbrushing, including the different types of spray equipment and air sources available, offering advice on appropriate thinners, paint ratios and air pressures to ensure the most appropriate paint coverage across a range of different airbrushing applications. He then examines various airbrushing techniques across a wide range of models. Ten step-by-step, illustrated case studies ranging from heavily weathered military aircraft to pristine, high gloss motor vehicles, science fiction models, fantasy figures, groundwork and buildings will complete this in-depth guide to getting the best results on your models.

Use the puzzles in this book to sharpen your mind and improve your ability to focus. The perfect antidote to staring at a screen for hours on end, Paper, Pencil and You: Focus presents over 300 puzzles designed to improve focus in a distracted world. With each one you will learn to eliminate mental distractions, improve concentration and develop your powers of deduction. Test your skills with a range of visual conundrums and lateral-thinking problems that include matching pairs, odd one out and pathfinding. Keen puzzlers will find themselves absorbed in developing their memory and visual processing skills, called on to think laterally and logically to find solutions, and will emerge from each exercise feeling relaxed and refreshed. Switch off from screens, pick up a pencil and focus.

Today's model aircraft kits are more advanced than ever, including levels of detail unimaginable a few years ago. Yet there is still much that cannot be reproduced 'out of the box' and enthusiastic modellers are attracted by advanced techniques and materials to increase the realism of their models further still. The techniques described in this book will enable the modeller to improve detail, create versions of a type not offered by the kit manufacturer, recreate realistic weathering, even battle damage, and to create parts from scratch in a variety of materials.

In his latest book, Joachim (Joe) Klang presents the reader with a fascinating choice of exclusively designed LEGO (R) models, featuring cool, classic objects that everyone will recognise. All these iconic objects are presented through exploded views, giving LEGO (R) fans an impression of how they are put together, so they too can create iconic objects such as the Polaroid (R) camera, the Nintendo (R) Gameboy or the Rubik's cube using their own collection of bricks. More LEGO (R) model books are also available from the author including: Bricks and Tricks ISBN 9783958437623 Tips and Tricks ISBN 9783958434790

Design that works! It's what you need if you're building and competing with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robotics. You'll find uses for the new light sensors and gyro sensors in navigation, helping you to follow lines and make turns more consistently. Approach collision detection with greater confidence through EV3's ultrasonic sensor. Learn new designs for power attachments. Winning Design! is about building with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 for fun, for education, but especially for competition. Author James Trobaugh is an experienced coach and leader in the FIRST LEGO League. In this book, he shares his hard-won knowledge about design principles and techniques that contribute toward success in robotics competitions. Winning Design! unlocks the secrets of reliable design using LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. You'll learn proven design patterns that you can employ for common tasks such as turning, pushing, and pulling. You'll reduce and compensate for variation in performance from battery charge levels and motor calibration differences. You'll produce designs that won't frustrate you by not working, but that will delight you with their reliable performance in the heat of competition. Good design is about more than just the hardware. Software counts for a lot, and Winning Design! has you covered. You'll find chapters on program design and organization with tips on effective coding and documentation practices. You'll learn about master programs and the needed flexibility they provide. There's even a section on presenting your robot and software designs to the judges. Winning Design! is the book you need if you're involved in competitions such as FIRST LEGO League events. Whether coach, parent, or student, you'll find much in this book to make your design and competition experience fun and memorable, and educational. Don't be without this book if you're leading a team of young people as they build skills toward a future in technology. What You Will Learn Build winning robots on a foundation of good chassis design Reduce variability in robot mechanical movements Design modular attachments for quick change during competition Solve navigation problems such as steering, squaring up, and collision detection Manage software using master programs and other techniques Power your robot attachments via motors and pneumatics Who This Book Is For Students, parents, teachers, and coaches involved in LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robot design and programming.

Radio controlled model helicopters is a huge and growing hobby market, and the recent developments in the design and manufacture of new models have resulted in wide range of choice which can bewilder newcomers to the hobby - a dazzling array of helicopters, r/c equipment and accessories. The second edition of this book guides the beginner through the maze. It provides all the essential information on the very latest products, elementary flying and basic aerobatics, routine maintenance, legal aspects of the hobby and joining a local club. * A completely fresh look at at what is needed to start out in the hobby. * 2nd Edition: completely updated with all new photographs which feature the very latest kits and equipment. * Rotorsport is the fastest growing sector of the radio control hobby. * Special Interest Model Books (formerly known as Nexus Special Interests and Argus Books) has been one of Britain's leading publishers of modelling and model engineering books since the 1950s.

Are you a former music-maker who yearns to return to music, but aren't sure where to begin? Or are you a person who never played music as a child but you are now curious about trying? You're not alone. Many adults who used to play an instrument haven't touched it in years because either they can't find the time to practice, are afraid their skills are too rusty, or are unsure of what kind of group they could join. Others are afraid to sing or start playing an instrument because they received negative feedback from childhood experiences. Performing, practicing, and composing music may seem like unattainable goals with insurmountable obstacles for busy adults with non-musical careers. Making Time for Making Music can help adults find ways to make music part of their lives. The first book of its kind, it is filled with real-life success stories from more than 350 adults who manage to fit music-making into their jam-packed schedules. They polished rusty skills, found musical groups to join, and are having a great time. Their testimonies prove that you are never too old to learn to make music, and that there are numerous musical paths to explore. Featuring advice from dozens of music educators, health care professionals, and music researchers who point out that making music can even be good for your health, this book offers inspiration and tried-and-true strategies for anyone who wishes to return to music-making or begin as an adult.

Become a sticker artist! Make your very own masterpiece of out stickers! With 10 cool projects and tons of stickers to match and play with, sticker lovers can add creativity to every design!

Over the past couple of decades radio control equipment has become more reliable, cheaper and smaller. The latter means that large models are no longer required to carry the bulky items that made up early radio control equipment, so smaller models can be built more quickly at a lower cost. It might be thought that a smaller model might not perform as well as a large one but after designing and building twenty such small models the author has not found this to be a problem. In fact, the speed and economy with which they can be built has proven to be at a great advantage in that new ideas can be tried out before being used in larger models. This book details several different models, some of which have previously appeared in Model Boats magazine, which show that a small size and simple design does not mean inferior appearance or performance. It is also possible to scale up the plans to make larger models to suit your tastes.

One of the most useful functions of a modern lathe is its ability to cut any form of external or internal thread of any thread form, pitch or diameter within the overall capacity of the machine. Detailed information of a practical nature is, however, not easy to find - a situation that this book does much to rectify. The author was a very experienced engineer with the capability of converting factual analyses into easily understood forms. His own expertise and the standards to which he worked are evident in his writing, and in addition he is also quite at home with both imperial and metric measures having considerable experience in the conversions required when working in partially metricated areas. This book is not only an invaluable treatise on lathe screwcutting but is also a useful demonstration of working in both imperial and metric standards.

Weathering is not just about making something look dirty. Rather, it should be seen as an artistic endeavour, with the aim of making a model appear as lifelike as possible. It also helps to blend a range of separate structures into a cohesive scene. Careful weathering brings out the best in even the most mundane model, drawing attention to moulded relief and enhancing surface textures. In this latest volume, expert modeller George Dent shares his theories and practices on the art of weathering buildings, motor vehicles, ships and all manner of scenic features.

Whether you are just starting out in the hobby of scenic railway modelling, or are more experienced and are revamping an existing layout, this invaluable instructional volume will guide you through the art of using basic materials to create wonderful model scenery. Brimming with practical advice and tips, the book shows you how to create realistic cuttings, natural rocky outcrops, grassy hillsides, steep cliff faces, waterfalls, streams and lakes, as well as weeds, plants and foliage. Containing over 300 step-by-step colour photographs, this remarkable volume covers the tools and materials you will need and fully explains the modelling techniques that are required.

Brian King has earned an international reputation for the quality of his models, all built using skills initially learned during a 5-year craft apprentice-ship when he acquired the basic practical skills in both wood and metal work. These skills, allied to a natural talent, have resulted in his very complicated models of large battleships from all eras. This book is a compilation of material originally published in the specialist hobby magazine Model Boats in which the master modeller has passed on many gems of experience to would-be builders of ship models, including anchors, gun barrels, portholes, decking, rudders, propellors, fittings; turrets; basic hulls; close-up on life saving gear; cowl ventilators; computers and modelling, photographing your models and working to dimensions. A lifetime of modelling experience is contained within these pages. There are few modellers, expert or novice, who will not benefit from this opportunity to read and learn. Previous books by Brian King include Advanced Ship Modelling (2000; 1-85486-122-0) and Photo Etching (2005; 1-85486-237-5).