CTVM Media

CultTVman's Ultimate Modeling Guide to Classic Sci-Fi Movies

Edited by Steve Iverson and Anthony Taylor

Reviewed By Dick Montgomery, IPMS# 14003

ISBN #: 097014551-9 MSRP: $19.95 Publisher: CTVM Media For information on this publication and for other CultTVman information visit the website at www.CultTVman.com Review Sample from ARA Press: www.arapress.com This publication is a soft cover magazine containing 152 pages. The book is large, being in an 8 ½ x 11-inch format. The book has 20 "chapters", each written by an experienced and knowledgeable Sci-Fi modeler. Each story covers a specific Sci-Fi modeling subject. Each of the "chapters" listed below provides a sufficient amount of information for an enthusiast to acquire the model and finish it through the application of basic skills through more advanced techniques. This is an excellent publication with a great deal of information that is very useful for the beginner and for the more advanced modeler. The only issue with the publication is that most of the images are in black and white. There are some color images of some of the models listed below after completion, and the images are spectacular. One also realizes that color is more expensive and, perhaps, the cost of the publication was kept low by the use of black and white imagery. As a Sci-Fi modeler I found this publication well written and very useful. Regardless of the genre of model you might favor, this publication contains a description of techniques and processes that easily transfer to your area of interest. The book is divided into "chapters" that include: Steve Iverson covers the construction of Herb Deeks' "From the Earth to the Moon" bullet-shaped spaceship. John Lester covers Herb Deeks' "From the Earth to the Moon" bullet-shaped spaceship and how to apply a metallic finish to the model. Jim Piszar builds Lunar Models "Luna". Dave Bengel provides tips and techniques on scratch building extra details and parts the enhance Lunar Models kit of the "Rocketship X-M" spacecraft. Bill Bryan builds the Lunar Models "Gort" kit. Ron Gross builds the Skyhook Models "Martian War Machine" with color images. Jim James builds the Comet Miniatures "Nautilus". Included in this chapter, Jim also covers how to scratch build the Giant Squad that attacks the Nautilus. Marc King builds the Polar Lights "C-57D Star Cruiser", assisted by Bob Perovich, who describes how to paint the interior. S.M. Clark builds the Polar Lights "Robby, the Robot" kit. Also covered in this chapter, a circuit board and wiring plan for "Robby" is presented. Joel Tavera builds the 1/10 scale Lunar Models "Time Machine" from the movie of that same name. Joel also covers the construction of Lunar Models 1/35 scale Proteus. Shane Johnson builds the spacecraft from "Planet of the Apes" Greg Harmon shares his restoration of the "Discovery" film model used in "2010", a 12 ½ foot monster. Greg had to repair and replace many of the bits from this classic piece of film history. Mike Evans (who is the person behind the name, "Lunar Models", provides a brief history of his "Discovery" kit. The image of the finished kit is the model built by Michael Alvarez. Jay Chladek builds the Airfix "Orion" Pan Am Space Clipper. Don Matthys builds the AMT Starship Enterprise. This is the NCC-1701A version of the Enterprise. Jay Chladek presents a history of the Enterprise model built for the Star Trek movies. Jay Chladek lists and describes the basic tools that a modeler might find useful when building Sci-Fi kits. S.M. Clark discusses other essential tools such as various grades of sandpaper, airbrush equipment, and other very useful items. A very useful list of "resources" is provided for both printed material and on-line informational sources. I highly recommend this publication for your library as well as your workbench. My thanks to Jack Hagerty at ARA Press for the chance to review this great book.