[.ca] Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders (ISBN 0830628681)

Excellent Resource:
I own several other great books on ship modelling: Ship Modeling Simplified by Frank Mastini, The Built-Up Ship Model by Charles G. Davis, Ship Modeling from Stem to Stern by Milton Roth, and Historic Ship Models by Wolfram Zu Mondfeld, as well as other less comprehensive books. I have studied all of these books at length and found Dressel's text to be the most informative on not only planking but also framing techniques. While others who have reviewed this book seem to have gripes about it, I would challenge anyone to find a more detailed book on this discipline. The fact is that no one text exists that will provide all of the best tips and techniques, but this book gives the most detail that I have come across. I consider it a must-have for any model shipbuilder's library.

Maybe okay if you already know all this stuff!:
NOT presented in a truly orderly and logical manner. Nice pictures of models done by members of a certain Club, but does not adequately teach planking from scratch. Many terms are NEVER defined and there is no rigorous process defined; like I said, it's okay, IF you already know most of this stuff and just want the author's take/recommendations on which of a bunch of ways to go. Will confuse a novice into tears (I know it did me, and I've built a couple of models already).

I would not buy this book again:
Lots of \obad\c pictures. A stuffy comment about "I have never had to personally use stealers" This guy may really be that good but the rest of us don't need to hear about it. Final comment: I kept the book but have been thinking about throuwing it in the recycling bin. It is NOT GOOD for beginners...or much of anybody else.

Good information poorly organized:
Mr. Dressel is obviously a very experienced builder, and there is a great deal of information in the book, but it the way it is presented makes it very difficult to absorb. The organization of the material made for very frustrating reading. The planking techniques indicated in the title are scattered throughout the book in various sections, and are often separated by unrelated (but interesting) material. Nautical component terminology (like "wing transom" and "fashion pieces") should be clarified (preferrably by illustration) before or at least at the same time they are used in the text. The "how to" explanations would be much improved by diagrams, photos or drawings with step by step procedures, rather than the often vague descriptions provided. Overall, the reader must expend a great deal of effort to glean the information from the book.

Very bad:
Very bad Poor organized, picture very bad Don't spend you many on this book