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Master Class Model Building Videos |
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Building the Bf 109G-6 with Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Master Class Clinic #1 - Aircraft Series |
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Reviewed By Michael Scott, #43177 |
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MSRP: $39.95 USD (introductory price)
Master Class Model Building Videos 929 Sherwood Forest Road Annapolis, MD 21401
The Master Class Clinic #1 is a three volume DVD set, providing about five hours of either fascinating modeling examples and insights from a down-right talented modeler, or an agonizingly long, mind-numbing video experience devoid of sex, violence or drugs (except for the heady fumes of Tamiya and Gunze liquid products, the effects of which are not available directly via this DVD). The latter perspective is only found only among that segment of the population that considers scale modelers to be developmentally-delayed adults caught in the expensive grip of a second childhood experience. So what?, says I. Discount that perspective immediately and get prepared for a brief, but necessarily longer than average, review of this amazing video tour de force by Mr. Werner and his associates. It is also important to note that this is not really a class on how to build the Hasegawa Bf109; it is a modeling class which happens to use that particular kit as the laboratory. It is applicable to almost any kind of scale plastic modeling.
Firstly, it’s a nice presentation. Quality packaging and a nifty quick reference card is included in the case for tools, supplies, decals, reference sources, etc. Saves you from pausing the DVD player and jotting this info down during Floyd’s build. The introductory material on WWII scale modeling, with pictures of the prototypes of the Bf109’s and finished model shots coupled with a short voice-over about how modeling relates to the war, the machines and the people involved is general but informative. This is a modeling video, not a history summary so this is a short bit and well done. And speaking of well done, the production of this video is top quality work. The videographer is a two-time Emmy award winner. This thing came together with the right people at the right time: Rafe Morrissey, David Powell, Floyd S. Werner, Jr. and Michael Teel. You can check their bios on the website listed above. The result is well worth the effort everyone put into it. Now, down to specifics.
Each of the three disks is under the control of its own introductory menu of main tasks and techniques, i.e. washing parts, removing parts, trimming, assembling cockpit, etc. This makes it easy to find points you wish to go back to and review. They are numerous enough so that you will not have to fast-forward through a lot of material in order to find the “chapter” you want. For example there are menu items for the sequence on scribing lines (one of the very useful chapters for me), dealing with fit problems, pre-shading airframe, masking wheel wells, etc. Each of the chapters is complete in itself and Floyd discusses his methods and techniques with frequent insights of why he’s chosen a particular one or why and how it works to achieve a certain effect, e.g., where he varies from the standard Hasegawa instructions on assembling and installing the tail section. I’ll let you see that for yourself. Also, having a master-class content delivered in full-motion video in a format that allows you to stop, slow it down and, on my player, zoom in on the action, in invaluable. You can say, “Excuse me, Mr. Werner, can you do that again?” as many times as you like.
We’ve all done some amount of dry brushing and perhaps have experimented with washes. Floyd does an excellent job of demonstrating how these are done and shows their resultant effects. I’ve read numerous explanations of ‘how to dry brush’ and gotten a pretty fair idea of the technique, but until you see it done right, you don’t really get the picture. The same with washes and, later in the video, weathering techniques. All of the building processes – assembly, dry brushing, painting, masking, weathering, etc. are demonstrated and discussed thoroughly by Floyd throughout the video. Just as importantly, they are visually presented in such a way that you can really see the results. The images are sharp, in focus and in view. When Floyd sprays highlights and variations in the color scheme, for example, you can see effect even though the end result is very subtle. Nice work. And it also reminds me that Floyd’s airbrushing methods are well illustrated and worth while as well, especially if you are minimally adept with that instrument as I am.
As in any endeavor, no one is perfect and there are few flaws, but considering the overall high quality of this production and content, they are minor. For example, Floyd mentions the masking tape seatbelts he made and installed, but does not demonstrate how this was done. I would have appreciated that bit, even though the price of good color PE is very reasonable now. Making your own keeps it in the “out of the box” category. So, what is my personal, overall assessment of this Master Class? I give the instructor and production crew a solid “A”. I’ve already spent about ten hours with this video and will undoubtedly double that over the next few months. The cost: The price of a good model, paints, parts and decals. This is a good deal in my book. As my pal Bill Weckel said, you’d pay more for one of those self-enrichment classes at the local community college, which usually run about a hundred bucks or so. Yeah, and you wouldn’t get a nifty Bf109 to put on your shelf either.
If you have aspirations to improve your modeling, whatever scale or subject is yours, or have an interest in how other talented modelers work, this Master Class DVD will prove a valuable and fundamental instructional tool in that process. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Master Class Model Building Videos for the review DVD set. |
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