Marmo’s Model Building Guides

Richard Marmo publishes model building guides for specific kits that provide greater insight than is usually included in the kit’s basic instructions. Richard uses photographs plus thorough written descriptions of his actual build to aid the modeler step-by-step building the kit. Richard‘s writing style is very informative and often includes humorous advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of model building. His written narratives go into much more detail than can be provided in the basic kit instructions. The photographs are high quality and because they are in a digital format can be zoomed in to magnify detail. This is particularly useful when a kit has many small parts like the one reviewed here. The guides provide additional tips on modeling techniques, tools, and materials, to expand the modeler’s knowledge. At four bucks each these model building guides are a must have for modelers.

I first discovered this publisher and series at an IPMS Nats a few years ago. As the title says, they specialize in WW2 Pacific aircraft, and do an excellent job covering some lesser-known subjects.

This is a softcover publication, with 120 pages in a nice, high-quality semi-gloss finish and a stiff outer cover. Publishing quality is first-rate, as is the content itself.

The introduction to the book describes the author’s intent, which is primarily to detail and clarify the various markings of Airacobras in the South and Southwest Pacific theater. This contains a brief explanation of the deployment of the type, and some explanations as to the differences between the various models of the P-39, as well as the P-400. The author is very concise and clear in spelling this all out. This is immediately followed by tables showing the various bases used by the squadrons flying the Airacobra in this region, as well as a brief glossary.

The book is volume 39 of Helion & Company’s Middle East @ War series and, as noted in the title, is the first volume of its coverage of Czechoslovak Arms Exports to the Middle East. It examines the re-birth of the Czechoslovakian arms production business in the aftermath of World War II and Czechoslovakia’s first attempts to find a market for its products