Xtreme Modelling is a high quality magazine from Spain featuring many of the World's top modelers. This is their first foray into the book series by introducing various elements from a modeler's standpoint.

Printed on semi-gloss paper throughout, this perfect bound softcover exudes quality and reminds me of the AFV Modeler feel.

The first book deals with water and 8 works can be found withing the 96 pages. Actually, page 96 is a portrait photo of each contributor and the publisher. Seeing a face to match the works is a nice touch. The inner covers are reserved for advertisements.

The book is divided into four sections. These are Seas, Swamps, Puddles, and Addendum. Within the first section are two works. One is by Rhodes A. Williams and the second by Domingo Ruiz. The second has the works of the publisher, José A. Azorín, the second by Javier Soler, and the third by Ignacio del Corral. The two works illustrating puddles are by Javier Redondo and Volker Bembennek. The addendum model is by Chema Cabrero.

Rhodes’ work, titled Herr Hauptmann’s Champagne, is truly an inspiring work of art. It depicts MiniArt Studio’s LWS performing a rescue and recovery of champagne over a sunken ferry. Twenty eight photos accompany a detailed text explaining the inspiration, storyline, and execution. The visual effects are wonderful and the amount of detail and forethought shown is incredible. Of course, now with the LWS announced by Bronco Models, I can imagine seeing several similarly inspired scenes. I wish better photos of the shark had been included.

After such an exciting gallery, following it would be difficult indeed. Domingo Ruiz brings us his rendition of a P-38 Lightning being ferried across water between two DUKWs. This scene is in 1/72nd scale with an Academy Lightning and two Italeri DUKW kits. What I found interesting is that Domingo did not use any aftermarket detail sets on the aircraft, only on the amphibian trucks. The scene is very well done but is let down by the figures. These are glossy, no shading or highlighting was performed, and many times defy gravity for a vehicle ensemble which is supposed to be in motion. Thirty two photos are used to illustrate the very well done scene, including a tutorial on representing open water.

José starts of the swamps section with The Swamp Thing, an early KV-2 stuck in a swamp with a figure (painted by Fernando Sanz) and is illustrated with 87 photos. These include 34 photos used in two step by step tutorials. The painting process for the vehicle is also illustrated in clear photos. Aber items were used along with a Jordi Rubio barrel. What I found interesting were the seven photos of the actual subject with some placed side by side with similar photos of the model so one can appreciate the fidelity of details.

Javier brings six photos of a completed scene, The End of the Road, featuring a T-34 while another 41 photos illustrate the making of a base with a water element. Another refreshing thing in the book is that Javier had an accident with his base and this is shown to serve as a warning to modelers. Again, informative text follows clear photos making this another section I will revisit often.

I must say that when I first saw Ignacio’s Calm Waters scene, I was horrified at the figures. Why would anyone use those ugly Tamiya midgets form the 1970s in such a scene? Reading the text, I came to realize that the scene is in 1/48th scale! While the figures are still horrid, the Schwimmwagen and its base are so well done I assumed it to be 1/35th scale. Ignacio acknowledges the figure quality in the text and used them since not many choices exist in the scale. He does provide an excellent tutorial in the text and the captioned 23 photos found therein.

A Panther Ausf. G Späte by Javier Redondo follows. Here seventeen photos illustrate his work while the next three pages have half a dozen color side profiles of late panthers.

Thirty nine photos, including two step by step tutorials, are authored by Volker. I particularly enjoyed the tutorial on creating the evergreen tree. He shows a very nice winter scene base on an knocked out Wirbelwind being inspected by som GIs from a an M20 recon car.

The last gallery is by Chema Cabrera. Many may recognize him as a scratch-builder and he has applied his experience to painting a Tupolev G-5 high speed torpedo boat. Eighteen photos are used to illustrate his finishing technique.

All in all, this is a great book thanks to the clear well lit photos, well done translations, informative text, and the step by step tutorials. Thanks to Xtreme Modelling for providing the sample.

More images from the book can be seen by visiting Xtreme Modelling's page: http://www.xtrememodelling.com/e01_web/e01_main.htm.

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