Kagero has released a new title in their Super Drawings in 3D covering The Light Cruiser SMS Emden. This offering is edited by Samir Karmieh and goes into the The Light Cruiser SMS Emden in great detail pictorially.
Review
This offering from Kagero covering The Light Cruiser SMS Emden is written in English. The text only cover 2 of the 80 pages in the book, and so is not for the modeller looking for great historical detail. It does however provide a brief history of the vessel, and also covers some of its successes and eventual demise against the Australian Navy. The text is well written and an enjoyable if short read. Also provided by Kagero is a data sheet covering most things that anyone would be interested in.
The book then provides a comprehensive set of detail colour drawings covering all external detail in a clear and precise manner. The detail provided will provide all of the needed details for the modeller to build an accurate model up to the standards of their own ability. Having looked through the provided images I cannot see any external area of the vessel that has been missed or poorly covered and in these days where many modellers strive for accuracy in their builds this title will provide that information in an easy to understand format.
At the end of this title from Kagero there are 10 pages devoted to 3D drawings; this is the only aspect of the book that I think of as a gimmick rather than a useful reference. Perhaps I am missing something here but I just cannot see what it brings to the modeller that is not better provided for or covered in the colour drawings in this title. Kagero have provided a set of 3D glasses for viewing these images and the images do work quite well with them.
I am disappointed in the fact that this title unlike the previous title in the series I have reviewed does not provide a fold out set of scale drawings. My disappointment stems from the fact that I felt the scale drawings added a great deal to the benefits of the title.
Conclusion
For the modeller this is I feel the best reference available at a reasonable price. The colour drawings clearly show what belongs where and how, and the clarity is better than photographs in this respect. The 3D drawings I see as a gimmick, but others may feel otherwise, and the lack of a scale drawing is disappointing. Regardless of these lows this is an excellent reference for the ship modeller out there.
My thanks to Casemate for providing this review sample.
SUMMARY
Highs: Clear and precise colour drawings of all external attributes of the vessel.Lows: The lack of scale drawings in this offering is disappointing.Verdict: Well worth the price to the modeller who likes their details and accuracy to be just so.
Our Thanks to Casemate Publishing! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Darren Baker (CMOT) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...
I am not a stickler for accuracy when it comes to model building, but if a "reference" hits the market, it should be spot on, I think. Here's why I won't buy it: Neither Emden nor Dresden did not have full wood decks (and it-'s very obvious looking at contemporary photographs). German light cruisers of the time usually did have leoleum mats glued to their decks. Wood was only used in a few certain places. Glaring mistake on behalf the author. I wonder what else he got wrong then...
Just sayin'!
Guido
Understandable Guido, accuracy when it comes to references is kind of a must. While I am not sure if and or when as well as actually where the linoleum sections would have been applied, I do know there were wooden decks down at the time of Dresden's demise. I am inclined to think the bow was covered with a combination of steel and linoleum cladding though. - LINK
Indeed I should have said more preciselsy that fore and poop deck were covered with linoleum. I remember clearly reading that these had to be scraped off the decks getting the ship ready for combat due to the fire hazard. Which is backed by this photo:
and
Otherwise I am agreat fan of the series.
I know they do come close in the books for the most part. At least they give a decent representation and walk around view to some ships which are otherwise stagnant in old black and white pics. Probably, they could have added one more layer to the rendering incorporating the lino decks, not a hard thing to do!
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