Guys, maybe this thread has been discussed before & I would not mind being removed to a proper topic but out of curiousity, what types of reference do you use when you're doing your scale modelling ?

Myself, for example will try not to miss the monthly Model Military Magazine as reference & browsing through other scale modelling website as well. For uniform, my reference would be from Osprey Publishing Men-At-Arms and Elite series.

What about you ?

Faisal

its the internet for me for most subjects unless I can get detailed walk around technical books. So far Kinokuniya has been a good source in KL. The AFVs are mostly covered in their offering through the years.

I'm good with finding almost anything from the cyber world... if it is up there, then I can find it... I look for pictures of the real thing and some modelers' work... downloaded free hi-resolution e-books that you bought from LHS or bookstore, or those military book available in amazon...

And no, I cannot share the download source to any of you guys, coz that'll mean messing up the business of the person selling it... also these download site is filled with trojans and other stealthy computer infiltrating ware. need some bit of cleanup after downloading... well, not all free stuff is a good stuff...

most of my references is source online , if you know how to find it..some are real gems ie books which are no longer in print production...but there is the risk of getting your computer infected with virus. :D

A combination of online and magazines/books collected over the years.

Somehow I find real books better, dunno why.

I use a fair bit of books. First books have a feel to them which is never quite found in browsing through the internet at least for me. Like you Faisal I use a fair bit of Osprey books for uniform references. I use many other military books as well not only for uniform references but their are a great source of diorama ideas. I probably have as many books as my stash. :P

Internet is a good resource as well especially when checking on history of the subject. I have to say 60:40 with books 60% and 40% Internet. Oh yeah, fellow modellers are also a good resource as well.

My initial source would be my stack of magazines to see if there's an article on the same subject. This will be followed by R&D on the internet for
- builds by someone else of the same subject
- reference pix of the subject

I don't use books as references most of the time as they are too pricey...

I've used H&C WWII German Army Uniforms as my reference for both my 1/35 scale figures & 1/6 action figure which in my opinion is very resourceful. Kinokuniya is a MUST when I come down once a year to KL to source out military book for reference.

Faisal

Totally agreed. But the thing is that it really needs patience to browse thru the internet for specific reference you need. Refering to books are much faster, IMO.

Aside of that I have lots of Magazine, mostly FSM, TMMI, and Military Modeling. Had some others as well, but I enjoyed more reading to these 3 magazines. They are good reference and learn alot of skill from there.

anyone out there knows of any good reliable e-books sites?
at the moment I do have a good collection of books on anything Malaya/Malaysia but not for modern armor or planes.

I do collect a lot of tech manuals for AFVs and also a good collection of Military Modelling and Military in Scale mag for a good 10 years now.

As beachbum mentioned, IMO the 3 modelling magazines are the best and affordable. Also for airplanes, Model Military magazine sister mag, Model Airplane ( pardon me if the title is wrong ) is a very good resource for reference as I did bought a copy which was showing HE 111.

Hard cover books are very expensive and I'm being selective when buying. Most wanted is the book about Land Rover which I saw once at Kinokuniya and several other e-retailers. It's a good reference whom into it as it covers from early developement towards the current period. Does anyone have this book ?

Faisal :)

I have a few books on Land Rover alone. May I know what specific vehicle you are interested in?

Bro Landy, the book titled 'Land Rover In Service' by Pete Ware. I've seen through ebay this morning, price between RM145 to RM155 plus S&P and most are from UK

I'm interested with Land Rover used for military & police service as growing up as a policeman son, i've ride a few esp. one driven by my father whom earlier attached to PDRM Bomb Squad before the vehicle being replaced by Iveco and current Mercedes.

Faisa :)

Just to share with you the books that I have used for references;

1. The Illustrated History of World War II.
2. Campaigns Of World War II Day By Day.
3. The Eastern Front.
4. Blitzkrieg, The Unpublished Photographs 1939 - 1942.
5. World War II Day By Day.
6. Operation Overlord, D-Day, Day By Day.
7. German Weapons Of World War II.
8. German Insignia Of World War II.
9. Waffen SS Uniforms & Insignia.
10. H&C German Soldiers Of World War Two.
11. 1/6th Masterpiece.
12. Japanese Army Handbook.
13. Out Of Nowhere, A History Of The Military Sniper.
14. Fighting Aircraft World War II.
15. 20th Century Military Uniforms.
16. Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles Of WWII.
17. OP The Waffen-SS Series (1) - (4).
18. OP Afrikakorps 1941 - 43.
19. OP German Military Police Units 1939 - 45.
20. OP Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941 - 45.
21. OP German Combat Equipments 1939 - 45.
22. H&C Seals In Vietnam.
23. Rods & Customs.

All are used for references for either 1/35 scale modelling or 1/6 military action figure.

Also listed are military non fiction books which have either colour or black or white photograph plates at the middle ;

1. Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab.
2. Seven Troop, Andy McNab.
3. House To House, SSG David Bellavia.
4. Lone Survivor, Marcus Lutrell.
5. Least We Forget, The Kingsmen, 101st Aviation Battalion, 1968, William C
Meacham.
6. Blackjack-34, James C. Donahue.
7. German Infantry Aces, Franz Kurowski.

Pardon me for the long list.

Faisal :)

Sorry mate, I dont have that book. What I have are historical books on various LR models about specifications and restoration...sorry yer

Anyway if you have any specific question about LR, let me know maybe can help.