By choosing to download these books, you are helping to support this page and my wider work within the industry. Every single download makes a massive difference to my income and I never lose sight of how much your interest in my work, my models and the written material that I generate from it, means to me. So if you would like to support my work, please give these books a look!

Over the last few months, my back catalogue of printed books has been digitised and uploaded onto the Pocketmags site where you can now download every book that I have written and released in printed form over the last ten years.

In order to buy copies of these books, you must download the Pocketmags App onto your phone, tablet, or desktop and then create a login, which requires little more than the usual email address and password. Once you have done this, you will be able to access everything the site, including my entire library of modelling guides!

The books have been uploaded to the ‘Modellers Reference Library’ portal at the following address:

http://www.pocketmags.com/titlelink.aspx?titleid=1142

Buying copies of these books really couldn’t be simpler, needing little more than  the email that you would use for your aforementioned Pocketmags login (should you already have one) or the email address that you use to access your Apple, or Google accounts. This will allow you to purchase a book and then read it across all of your preferred devices.

As it stands, there are 16 books across the library that cover my work with military vehicles, dioramas and aircraft, so you will certainly find something to interest you! Below is a list of the titles together with the necessary links that will take you immediately to the book you are interested in. I appreciate that this update is long, but hopefully it will be easy to navigate through until you find what you are after!

With the introductory notes out of the way, here is the completed list of titles that are now available to download. The links under each title will take you direct to each page where you will find plenty of images and information about each one. Let’s get started!

AIRCRAFT MODELLING GUIDES

SPITFIRE MODELLING AN ICON

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/modelling-an-icon-no1-spitfire#5e86392d5d216

Welcome to Spencer Pollard’s brand-new modelling guide and the very first in a planned series of books, that will cover the construction of famous aircraft in miniature. This exciting new release deals with a perennial favourite, the Supermarine Spitfire, covering the earlier marks that made the aircraft so famous both during World War II and beyond. The in-depth projects featured in this book, are as follows: 

• Tamiya 1/48 Mk.I ‘Initial Release’ 
• Tamiya 1/48 Mk.1 ‘Revised Tool’ 
• Tamiya 1/48 PR. Mk.IV Conversion 
• Eduard 1/48 Mk.I ‘Weekend Edition’ 
• Airfix 1/72 Mk.Vc 
• Airfix 1/48 Mk.Vb 

Each individual chapter takes you through construction, painting and weathering so that you too can build one of these models for your collection. Whether or not you are hoping to build a new kit, or simply looking at tackling something older from your collection, it’s all there to enjoy and fire your imagination. Whether a beginner, or a more experienced modeller, you will find much to enjoy and hopefully, plenty to inspire, should you wish to add to your Supermarine Spitfire collection!

THE SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE PART 1

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/lets-build-the-supermarine-spitfire#5e86392d5d216

Let’s Build…The Supermarine Spitfire is your guide to modelling these iconic machines in miniature. Whether you are keen to build a kit from the box, or want to tackle something a little more involved, you will find it all over the five, detailed projects in this exciting modelling guide. 

The contents cover all of the most popular scales, and many of the most interesting variants. In terms of specifics, you will find the following kits featured within the book’s clearly designed pages: 

• Airfix 1:72 Mk. Ia 
• Eduard 1:72 Mk.IXe 
• Eduard 1:48 Mk.XVI 
• Eduard 1:48 MK.VIII 
• Revell 1:32 Mk.IXc 
• Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe 

Each individual chapter takes you through construction, painting and weathering so that you too can build one of these models for your collection. You’ll also find plenty of historical notes and ideas, should you wish to personalise your model to make it stand out from the crowd. Whether a beginner, or a more experienced modeller, you will find much to enjoy and hopefully, plenty to inspire should you wish to add to your Spitfire collection! 

NORTH AMERICAN P-51 MUSTANG

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/lets-build-the-mustang#5e86392d5d216

Let’s Build…The North American P-51 Mustang is your detailed guide to modelling this famous American fighter, in miniature. One of the most famous aircraft to have fought during WWII, modellers have always wanted to build aircraft from this family, so we have brought together seven exciting models that will get you started on your path, to a collection of your own. The book features the following kits: 

• Sweet 1:144 P-51B – “DING HAO”, 356th FS 
• Airfix 1:72 P-51D – 112 Squadron RAF 
• Airfix 1:48 P-51D – “Little Indian”, 2nd ACG 
• MENG 1:48 P-51D – City Of Winnipeg Squadron 
• Tamiya 1:48 P-51D – A Modern-Day Warbird 
• Tamiya 1:48 P-51B – “Shangri La”, 4th FG 
• Revell 1:32 P-51D – 307th FS/31st FG, Italy, 1944 

Each individual chapter takes you through construction, painting and weathering so that you too can build one of these models for your collection. You’ll also find plenty of historical notes and ideas, should you wish to personalise your model to make it stand out from the crowd. Whether a beginner, or a more experienced modeller, you will find much to enjoy and hopefully, plenty to inspire should you wish to build your own collection of Mustang fighters! 

ME BF109 EMIL

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine#5e86392d5d216

Let’s Build…The Messerschmitt Me Bf109 Emil is your guide to modelling these iconic German machines in miniature. The contents cover all of the most popular scales, to bring you a comprehensive guide to build the Emil in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32, tacking in old and new kits along the way. In terms of specifics, you will find the following kits featured within the book’s clearly designed pages:

• Airfix’ 1/72 ‘109E-3. 
• The Airfix 1/48 ‘109E-4 
• Eduard 1/48 ‘109E-3 
• Matchbox 1/32 ‘109E 
• Dragon 1/32 ‘109E-4 

Each individual chapter takes you through construction, painting and weathering so that you too can build one of these models for your collection. Whether or not you are hoping to build a new kit, or simply looking at tackling something older from your collection, it’s all there to enjoy and fire your imagination. You’ll also find plenty of historical notes and ideas, should you wish to personalise your model to make it stand out from the crowd. Whether a beginner, or a more experienced modeller, you will find much to enjoy and hopefully, plenty to inspire, should you wish to add to your Messerschmitt Bf109 Emil collection! 

F-104 STARFIGHTER

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/starfighter#5e86392d5d216

This in-depth book guides the modeller through everything that they need, to construct and paint this very popular aircraft using readily available plastic model kits. Download your copy and you will find in-depth features on the Matchbox 1/72 TF-104G; the Monogram 1/48 F-104G; the Hasegawa 1/48 F-104C and TF-104G; the recently released Kinetic F-104G and finally, an extended look at the very impressive Italeri 1/32 TF-104G. You will also find a walk-round of Bruntingthorpe’s exhibit, as well as full-sized images taken as the aircraft was retired from Italian service. 

Each chapter offers plenty of construction and painting tips, with easy to follow ideas that will help you to build this aircraft from the aforementioned kits, for your collection. But more than that, the ideas and thoughts offered will also be of use should you not only want to build other kits of this family of aircraft, but also, if you just want some ideas for other models of similar design and vintage. It’s all there! 

Download your copy now and you too can build up a collection of models of this iconic Cold War aircraft, for your collection!

PANAVIA TORNADO

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/tornado#5e86392d5d216

Do you want to build the ultimate replica of PANAVIA’s iconic Tornado? You do? Then let us show you how! 

Following on from the release of his earlier titles, Spencer Pollard has created a detailed guide to the building and painting of the Tornado GR.4 in miniature, using Italeri’s superb, 1/32 kit as the foundation stone for his project and this new book. 

Each chapter within this detailed modelling guide, offers plenty of construction and painting tips, with easy to follow ideas that will help you to build this aircraft in 1:32. As a bonus chapter, you will also be guided through the construction and painting of the smaller Revell 1/48 offering, as well as be inspired by some wonderful full-sized images of the Tornado in service. 

No stone is left unturned as you work your way through the pages, a detailed review, constructional notes, full painting guide and in-depth tutorial on the distinctive weathering that was such a part in the look of these machines in service is all there to enjoy and use should you choose to build this kit for your own collection! 

HARRIER MODELLING AN ICON

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/harrier#5e86392d5d216

Not only is the Harrier ‘Jump jet’ one of the most famous aircraft families in the history of aviation, it just happens to be Spencer Pollard’s favourite aircraft as well. That being so, it must come as no surprise to see him concentrate his efforts into creating a book that deals with his beloved aircraft, offering not only a number of off-the-shelf kit builds, Revell 1/144 Harrier GR.7, Airfix 1/72 Harrier GR.3 and Hasegawa 1/48 Harrier GR.9, but also the complete story of his mammoth, 1/24 conversion of the ancient Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR. 1, into the glorious two-seat Harrier T.2. 

This book is perhaps the most detailed and in-depth yet seen on modelling the Harrier family in miniature. Each chapter is filled with images and written descriptions that guide the modeller through wonderfully engaging projects that will suit the beginner and then in the case of the T.2 conversion, those with a little more skill and determination! 

Harrier: Modelling An Icon is your one-stop modelling guide for fans of this aircraft — download your copy today! 

TAMIYA TOMCAT

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/tomcat#5e86392d5d216

Arguably the best 1/48 kit yet seen, Tamiya’s family of 1/48 Tomcats has been widely praised since the first kit arrived in 2016. Modellers around the world have enjoyed it’s engineering, detail, levels of fit and accuracy and now, thanks to this in-depth modelling guide, you too will be inspired to have a go at one of these iconic kits for your collection. 

Featuring three in-depth chapters, this exciting book tells you all you need to know about the kit and how you can build it, either from the box, or with the addition of many of the aftermarket details that have appeared since the kit’s first release. Nothing is left to the imagination, with explicit hints and tips, constructional ideas, painting guides and all manner of weathering techniques on every page, that will allow you to build either the F-14A, or later F-14D, any way that you chose. However that many be, one thing is for sure, this book will help you to build a model that will be the centrepiece of you collection for many years to come!

RAF RADIALS

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/raf-radials#5e86392d5d216

Following on from Spencer Pollard’s earlier aircraft titles, he changes direction with a book that deals exclusively with not only 1/72 aircraft, but also ones kitted by Airfix and in the colours of the Royal Air Force! ‘RAF Radials’ deals with three different aircraft, all powered by these magnificent engines. The result is a wonderful collection of classic aircraft that you can study and then hopefully, build for your collection of World War II RAF aircraft. 

• The book deals with the following aircraft: 
• Airfix 1/72 Bristol Beaufighter TF. X 
• Airfix 1/72 Vickers Wellington Mk.1A 
• Airfix Avro Lancaster B.Mk.II 

Each chapter offers plenty of construction and painting tips, with easy to follow ideas that will help you to build the models, should you chose to be inspired to do so. Though the kits have been built essentially ‘from the box’, there is plenty of additional notes that cover not only construction, but also painting and weathering, the latter a fundamental part of each project. You will find ideas that cover basic paint application, colour notes, decalling tips and then ideas that will help you bring out the best from the detail that has not only been created by Airfix, but in the case of the Beaufighter and Lancaster, some that has been added as well. Much of this is aimed at beginners, but if you are more advanced, there’s plenty for you as well, with weathering ideas that modellers with more experience can enjoy. 

If you want to add one of these models to your collection, this is the book for you!

COLD WAR AIRCRAFT MODELLER #1

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/cold-war-aircraft-modeller-001#5e86392d5d216

Cold War Aircraft Modeller is crammed full of superb models, built by experts in their fields, to provide the reader with much-needed inspiration to build similar models themselves. Along with the models, the reader will find excellent reference features, up-to-date news and reviews and all of this, offered on high-quality paper and an easy to read style. This is the model ing magazine for post-war aviation enthusiasts!

Issue 1 includes Daniel Zamarbide’s 1/32 Tamiya F-4D Phantom, Andy Davies reworking of the Airfix 1/48 TSR2, Haris Ali’s delightful Airfix 1/72 Spitfire F.Mk.22, Franck Oudin’s 1/48 SAAB Draken and finally, my look at the Alley Cat 1/48 Vampire FB.Mk.V.

If you are a Cold War aircraft fan, you’ll want to download this book!

COLD WAR AIRCRAFT MODELLER #2

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/cold-war-aircraft-modeller-002#5e86392d5d216

As with the first edition, I have been very fortunate in being able to draw together some wonderful models from some amazing modellers. As you can see they cover a wide spectrum of subjects, all of which are inspiring, not just if you want to build the kits featured, but also if you want to build the same subjects, but from other kits that may be available. The List is as follows: 

• Spencer Pollard – Great Wall Hobby 1/48 MiG-29
• Haris Ali – Great Wall Hobby 1/144 Vulcan
• Dean Large – Dragon/Cyberhobby 1/200 Vulcan
• Iain Ogilvie – ZM 1/32 A-1 Skyraider.

If you are a Cold War aircraft fan, you’ll want to download this book!

ARMOURED VEHICLES AND DIORAMAS

THE LEGACY PART 1

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/legacy#5e86392d5d216

This exciting modelling guide is a detailed look at four dioramas that were built around Tamiya’s classic range of 1/35 ‘Military Miniatures’ kits, all finished using Francois Verlinden’s inspiration, ideas and techniques. For anyone that remembers those wonderful dioramas that appeared in the Tamiya catalogues of days gone by before finding their way into ‘The Verlinden’ Way collection of books, this series is the perfect homage to collect, keep and enjoy. 

The first of three books that form part of the Legacy Collection, this one deals with a number of the most famous German kits, all four of them appearing in Tamiya’s Top 10 list of all-time best-sellers. The subjects covered, are as follows: 

• ‘Pinned Down’ – featuring the 1/35 Sd.Kfz. 251 Hanomag 
• ‘Desert Raiders’ – featuring both the 1/35 Panzer II Ausf.F/G and SAS Jeep 
• ‘Once A Hunter…’ – featuring the 1/35 Panther Ausf. A 
• ‘Of No Avail 2.0’ – featuring the 1/35 88 mm Flak 36/37 

Each chapter offers plenty of construction and painting tips, with easy to follow ideas that will help you to build the models and then perhaps, similar dioramas for your collection. Discussions are had regarding planning, detailing, painting, how to sculpt your own buildings and the use of these older models and their companion sets of figures and accessories. But more than that, the images, musings and techniques offered, will also be of use if you just want some ideas for other models of similar design and vintage. Or maybe, you just want to look at the pictures of the completed models – it’s all there! 

‘The Legacy Part One’ is an unashamed slice of nostalgia that modellers of all ages and levels of skill will enjoy, showing as it does that there is still life in some of these old dogs yet! Download your copy today! 

THE LEGACY PART 2

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/the-legacy-part-two#5e86392d5d216

Here is another detailed look at a group dioramas that were built over the last 2 years around Tamiya’s classic range of 1/35 ‘Military Miniatures’ kits, all finished using François Verlinden’s inspiration, ideas and techniques. For anyone that remembers those wonderful dioramas that appeared in the Tamiya catalogues of days gone by before finding their way into ‘The Verlinden’ Way collection of books, this series is the perfect homage to collect, keep and enjoy. 

This is the second book in a series of three, this one dealing with many of the remaining builds from a project that began in 2020, five of that series being included within the Legacy Part One, that many of you have already bought and enjoyed. If you enjoyed the first volume, you really will love this new title and the models that it contains! 

This new book features the following models, either as standalone projects, or as part of an additional diorama. 

• Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 Sherman 
• Tamiya 1/35 T-34/76 ARV (and Jonathan Mock’s T-34/76) 
• Tamiya 1/35 Flak 36/37 
• Tamiya 1/35 Pink Panther Land Rover 
• Tamiya 1/35 Chieftain Mk.V 

Unlike Part One, this volume focusses less on dioramas and more on the kits themselves, offering up-to-date ideas that will help you to get the best from some of Tamiya’s classic range of Military Miniatures. Not only are the kits built ‘from the box’ a number are detailed with scratchbuilt additions and then finished with involved colour schemes that show you how far even simple kits such as these, can be taken. 

‘The Legacy Part Two’ is another unashamed slice of nostalgia that modellers of all ages and levels of skill will enjoy, showing as it does that there is still life in some of these old dogs yet! Download your copy today!

THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/the-garden-of-remembrance#5e86392d5d216

My very first self-published book! This one tells the story of my involved diorama that recreates as accurately as possible the Panther that until recently, was on display in the Belgian town of Houffalize. I take the reader through the history of the vehicle, the building of this unique Panther, painting of its incredible finish and then onto the layout and construction of the diorama setting that was so familiar to 1000s of visitors over the years to create the most accurate replica yet seen of this relic. Along the way, I drew on favours from friends including François Verlinden whose company, Verlinden Productions, helped design and cast many of the parts that were used to set the scene. Conversions, scratchbuilding, laser cutting and the aftermarket, were all used to capture the essence an atmosphere of my favourite Panther.  This was truly one-off diorama and this book that takes you through my journey from idea to completion! Download your copy today and read all about it!

ONE MAN’S JUNK

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/one-mans-junk-spencer-pollard#5e86392d5d216

The second of my early diorama books, this one takes you through the construction of three dioramas that thought based around WWII military vehicles, places them in modern settings to give them a familiar twist that we can all recognise. The book features three different dioramas ‘The Dig’, ‘One Man’s Junk’ and ‘Then & Now’ that will offer readers a huge amount of ideas and inspiration should this type of involved scene be something that they would like to see within their own collections. High-quality images and written descriptions take you through my ideas and processes so that you can see exactly how these models came to be. If modern dioramas with huge amounts of detail are your thing, this is the book for you!

COLD WAR AIRCRAFT MODELLER #1

A CLASSIC RECREATED

https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine/garage#5e86392d5d216

‘A Classic Recreated’ is the story of an involved civilian diorama that was inspired by the work of François Verlinden. Drawing heavily of one of his seminal works, the diorama and the book that followed, takes the modeller through an exciting journey from first thoughts to completed scene, with plenty of ideas, hints, tips and inspiration along the way! 

Though this one is civilian in nature, those of you that enjoyed the military books from Spencer Pollard’s ‘Legacy Collection’ will find much to enjoy in this one, detailing as it does, the journey that he embarked on to create a brand-new 1/24 Garage scene built around Tamiya’s superb Honda S600. Within the book’s pages, you will find extensive descriptions of how the diorama game together, what inspire it in the first place and how an idea was developed from a 1980s masterpiece, to create something fit for the 21st century. He shows you how the car was built and painted, how to construct a garage building and how with some simple kit parts and then clever use of the Internet and your own redundant kits, you can create a busy scene, whilst at the same time keeping your costs down. 

This book will spark you imagination like no other and take you places that perhaps you had not considered before. If you want a break from the norm to create something that will keep you entertained for months to come, this is the book for you!