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Forums - Research / Post-WW2 |
This Post WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to any time after WW2 (1945+) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Japanese Books---Great Photo Reference |  |
| Date: | May 1, 2004 |
| From: | Peter Ong | |
I find that most Japanese books excel in the photo arena. I have two ARMS/ COMBAT Japanese books containing a "few" color pages of human models dressed in U.S. BDUs, wearing the latest gear (just like the 1/6 action dolls posing for the buyer). No where else can I find suck mockups.
The cliche of "a photo is worth 1,000" words rings true since in one of the ARMS books I have, it shows a model dressed in a GORE-TEX jacket/ trousers similar to the 1/16 Tamiya DBU Marine. Yep, the 120mm Tamiya Marine needs a hood, AND the uniform should actually be woodland camouflaged, not desert, unless there's a GORE-TEX suit in desert (I haven't researched). Also missing from the Tamiya DBU are the leg velcro cuff straps. Try finding this photographic info at a chain bookstore or hobby shop...you can't.
The problem is, of course, that we as buyers cannot browse these magazines beforehand unless we're close to a Japanese bookstore. Not only that, these books sell out quickly. The April issue of ARMS has 35 pages devoted to OIF, but my emails to shops in the U.S. and in Hong Kong said it's out of stock. 35 pages would rival ANY Concord book. Nonetheless, the sad truth is that not all of the ARMS books have front-rear mockups of models in uniform. For instance, the May issue of ARMS focuses on the USMC, but shows Marines in OIF, and at a distance, not much photographic help there, nor ANY model mockups. As such, I wouldn't really buy these books blind without at least a sample page showing the photographic content.
I do say that for $14-$20 USD though, Japanese books are very comparable in photographic information to Concord books, not to mention that the photos are a lot "closer up" to the intended subject than Concord books, which has photos of the subject taken at a distance. However, beware of the ARMS/ COMBAT books since half of those books contain nothing but ads for uniforms and airguns.
Hope this helps,
Peter |
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