IPMS DVD Review: Master Class Modeling Clinic #2 Advanced Aviation Modeling with Resin, Photo-Etch and Vacuform Canopies

Master Class Models

Master Class Modeling Clinic #2
Advanced Aviation Modeling with Resin, Photo-Etch and Vacuform Canopies

with Floyd S. Werner, Jr.

Reviewed By Dave Morrissette, IPMS# 33653

MSRP: $49.95 for a 2-disk set
Website: www.masterclassmodels.com

This is the third installment of Master Class Modeling videos and this set focuses on three basic areas:

Photo-Etch: Including seat belts, bending, annealing and rolling and instrument panels.
Canopies: Dealing with vacuform, opening and attaching canopies.
Resin Parts: Preparing and attaching parts, filling pinholes, resin wheels.

There is also a small section on scratch building parts.

The DVD’s are extremely well produced. Each section shows step-by-step how the process and parts work and shows the pieces installed. Master Modeler Floyd Werner is the host (and has been for all videos so far) and goes through the process slowly and clearly. The lighting and photography are good.

When I watch DVDs like this, I usually find myself having a few "oh, that’s how it works!" moments and this set didn't disappoint. For me, one of these occurred when Werner showed how to use the Small Shop's rolling tools for shaping round photo-etch parts. I bought one of these a few years back and never had any success. Thanks to Floyd, I now know that I was doing it all wrong. The parts start on the biggest radius and gradually bend smaller and smaller until a tube shape is achieved- wow! Also, I saw that the metal has to be annealed first to make a better, easier bend. Floyd made it look easy and quick and his results were superb.

Another "aha!" moment occurred as Floyd showed how to attach and blend in canopies. These are a bane to me when building airplane kits. The DVD shows how to trim vacuform canopies (and why they look more realistic) and more important, the process to blend them in with white glue. Before, I didn’t let them dry long enough- now I do.

If you have been afraid of adding photo-etch or resin parts to your kits or just aren't getting the results you want, these DVDs will solve your problems. For the cost of an average kit, the frustration some modelers have with using increasingly-prolific aftermarket parts will be gone. Most highly recommended to modelers of all skill levels. My thanks to Floyd and the rest of the gang at Master Class for their efforts...keep 'em coming!

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