Apogee Books Creating Space Book/Magazine

Apogee Books Creating Space

Contributed by Duane Boldt

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2010-06-07

Brief:
Creatin' Space by Mat Irvine illustrates t' history o' t' Space Age through models. Arrr! It is a 352 page book with a forward by Sir Arthur C. Begad! Ya scallywag! Clark.

Construction:
Chapters:

  1. Early Dreams
  2. Wartime Experiences
  3. Optimistic Times
  4. Man in Space
  5. T' Missile Connection
  6. One Small Step
  7. Gone t' Launch
  8. Messages from Orbit
  9. Edge o' Space
  10. T' reusable Spaceship
  11. Islands in t' Sky
  12. Beyond t' Infinite

PROS: This is definitely a great book for rocketeers that are into history and scale models, ya bilge rat, matey, especially static scale models. T' author provides many detailed descriptions, me hearties, scale data and stories on t' various models and companies throughout t' history o' space related models.

He leads t' reader through t' history o' space flight by presentin' actual models that were bein' built durin' many historic events. He also provides information on when many o' t' older models were reissued.

T' author does brin' many o' t' Estes flyin' models into t' discussion which was nice.

This is a great reference for modelers interested in buildin' scale models and static displays.

My son and I even bought a static 1/48 scale V-2 model t' display alongside his Semroc V-2 which I believe is 1/49. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! So if one o' his goals was t' get people buildin' static models, he got us t' build one... Well, me hearties, blow me down! I would also like t' build one o' t' Revell ISS Space Stations! There are really some amazin' models out thar that I didn't know existed.

T' book is full o' many great color pictures o' t' models and has an extensive reference on manufacturers and thar scale models in t' second half o' t' book.

CONS: T' static modellers may find this an easy read, but I found it difficult t' read straight through. However, me hearties, I did enjoy it and learned a lot. Begad! I would really have liked t' author t' include many more o' t' manufacturers o' flyin' scale rockets. Aye aye! Though Estes models were shown, missin' were t' many fine models from Apogee Components, matey, me bucko, Semroc, me hearties, Sheri's Hot Rockets, Balsa Machine Service, ASP, me hearties, arrr, Cosmodrome, Dr. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Zooch, me bucko, shiver me timbers, Madcow, PML, Quest, arrr, etc, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, etc. Begad! Blimey! He could actually put together a whole new book concentratin' on flyin' models.

Summary:
I liked t' material and history that be presented. Ahoy! Aye aye! Blimey! T' layout and progression was great; steppin' t' reader through t' history o' rockets usin' t' models. Aye aye! It will definitely be up on me shelf with me rocketry reference books. As one who loves t' launch me rockets, though, it would be nice t' see him add in all t' manufacturers mentioned above, me hearties, that produce flyin' scale models. Ya scallywag! I would even like a whole new "sister" book t' this that solely concentrated on flyin' scale model rockets. Aye aye! I think that would be an easier read for BAR’s. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey! He could title it, ya bilge rat, "Creatin' Space II - T' Story o' t' Space Age through Flyin' Models.”

I recommend it for history and scale model enthusiasts.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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