Scale Plans – Me 262, IA-58 Pucara, A6M Zero, PZL 23 Karas & MiG-15

Mushroom Model Publications

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The plans reviewed here were supplied in a sample folder that is illustrative of the way individual plans sets are supplied. The sample folder enclosed one page for each of the subjects listed above; in each case a bound fold-out A3 page printed on both sides. I assume that the plan sets obviously include more pages in each case, but I cannot say how many.

The plans are scaled to compliment the scales that kits of the subjects are generally covered by. However, the MiG-15 and Me 262 plans do not include any 1/72-scale drawings, which is surprising given the number of kits of these subjects available in 1/72nd. Our 1/144-scale brethren may bemoan that are no plans at all in their chosen scale are included; but I guess you have to draw the line somewhere (pardon the pun).

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Well drawn plans can be things of beauty in themselves; and extremely useful for illustrating differences between versions of the aircraft, or for showing details. The plans reviewed here certainly fall into this category. They are indeed very nicely drawn, in a style anyone familiar with Mushroom Model Publications will recognise. I cannot say how accurate they are however. This said, MUshroom’s aircraft books are notable for their thorough research, and I would expect this thoroughness to flow through into their development of plans too.

Mushroom must think that they are accurate, and intend them for comparison of kit parts; otherwise there would be no point in printing them in different scales; especially larger ones like 1/32nd. I think this approach to assessing accuracy is useful, but is best complimented by reading modeling forums and kit reviews as well.

Personally, I like that plans in a book that has accompanying text describing the subject’s history and version differences, as Mushroom does with many of its excellent publications. But such formats can limit the size and number of plans provided; something this stand-alone format overcomes.

I was a little surprised that at the lack cross-sections, although these are probably put to far less use by modellers who are more likely to lay parts over the plans to compare profiles and plan-views to the shape of kit parts. Despite this, I think a lot of effort has gone into these preparing these plans because of Mushroom’s good reputation; certainly, the outline shapes I observed look good to me.

These are very nicely drawn plans with considerable aesthetic appeal, and give a valuable illustration of differences between versions of each subject covered. MMP have a good reputation for research, so accuracy is likely to be good too; but this is beyond my ability to confirm in a “First Look” review.

They provide plentiful, and in some cases quite large, drawings of their subjects. This is a direct benefit of having a dedicated plans publication versus including them in a book with historical text. It is a pity that some of the very popular subjects do not include 1/72 plans when there are many kits of the subject in this scale.

I recommend these plans to people who enjoy perusing stand-alone plans; especially in scales often not found in book format like 1/32nd.

Thanks to MMP Books  for the sample.

All MMP Books are available direct from the publishers, who now accept credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Switch)  

North American distributors are MMD, Australian distributors are Platypus Publications. In Europe, the books are available from any good bookshop (via our UK distributors, Orca). Contact MMP direct in case of difficulties. 

Thanks to Roger at MMO Books  for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2014 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 22 July, 2014
Last updated 22 July, 2014

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