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Nakajima Gekko Type 11

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

Modeler's Eye Series #1
ISBN 4-499-22753-4
80 pages, softbound

This new title on the hobby shop shelf looked kind of interesting, and thumbing through it I thought it had a familiar feel to it. Looking over one notch on the shelf I saw a couple Aero Detail titles and it all clicked for me. This is the same basic style, but in a slightly smaller format and with the addition of a modeling section.

This book apparently is sponsored in part by Tamiya and easily is the best reference to go along with the excellent Tamiya 1/48 Gekko kit. Like the Aero Detail series this book takes you through a restored example of the Gekko piece by piece in well-reproduced color photos. No hatch is left unopened, no corner unseen in this hefty walkaround.

Complementing the close up look of the Gekko, there are over a dozen illustrations showing several individual aircraft with their unique markings. For the most part the Gekko was finished in overall green so the differences will only be in the details.

Rounding out the book is a small section on the Tamiya kit and four pages of 1/72 scale drawings. The drawings show several different variants and include top and bottom views as well as profile views.

If you're looking for a single reference on the Gekko, look no further. This book will easily give you everything you need to superdetail your Tamiya (or Fujimi, if you're one of those proper scale builders) Gekko kit.

Available from Skyway Model Shop for $29.95.