The third book in the Ma.k in SF3D series by Max Watanabe just arrived! Its focus this time, as the title says is on the mighty SAFS and its many versions and variations. Over 130, as the subtitles says, but I have not counted them, so I can’t confirm. The book covers a wide range of SAFS, from the original, classic one to the space ones, from the variants based on the initial version, to those of the Snake-Eye and the Raptor. It includes also the “fat” versions both of the SAFS and the Raptor.
- Title: Ma.k in SF3D Vol.3
- Author: Max Watanabe
- Publisher: Hobby Japan
- Release Date: May 2012
- Language: Japanese
- Pages: 118
- Format: Full colour Paperback with sleeve, 297x210mm (A4)
- Extras: Decal sheet
- Price Range: 2800Yen
- Availability: Still available on major Hobby websites as of 21/06/2012
Like the previous two volumes, this book is a photographic showcase of models and colour schemes. The cover sleeve design is beautiful and even if the volume is mostly oriented at modellers, it would not look out of place next to some coffee table books.
The quality of the print and of the images, is excellent, the and the suits are portrayed from all angles which makes it for a great reference on many of the versions that are sometimes not even captured in the Ma.k Encyclopedia books.
The book is organized in 7 sections:
- The SAFS
- SAFS and variations
- Raptor and variations
- SAFS Mk.III and variations
- Fireball and variations
- Fireball SG and variations
- Snake Eye and variations
The book starts by covering the SAFS and its variants, including Raccoon and the Achilles B. Some of the camo schemes are arguable, but with over 130 models to cover some creativity is necessary.
Among the various showcase sections, the book also presents a number of pages on construction, painting and weathering. If only I could read Japanese these would be probably very helpful to me.
I may be wrong, but Max Watanabe’s style seems to have become a bit more Ma.k like in this book. The elements of color depth and the heavy washes are still there, but some of the suits show interesting semi-gloss finishes with paint scratches and a more natural worn-out feel than in the previous volumes of the series. Maybe Kow Yokoyama and Katoo San of Rainbow Egg that also collaborated on the book have influenced the author’s style.
One aspect that, in my opinion could be improved is that the models look like they are built straight out-of-the box, which is obviously not the case because most of them are actually kit-bashed or include resin parts. I think some of the suits could, for example benefit from having sculpted joints rather than the soft plastic ones that come in the kits. But I can imagine that sculpting the joints for 130 SAFS is not exactly a small endeavour…
One of my favourite models in the book is the Intruder which is in essence a Prowler with a Raptor’s laser gun. I really like the color scheme.
One pleasant bonus with the book is a sheet of decals, some of which reproduce classic Ma.k markings and decorations.
A couple of other noticeable points about the book: at the beginning there is a fold-out diagram illustrating the evolution of the SAFS from the AFS, the Archelon and the SAFS prototype, all the way through to the Raptor and SAFS Mk.III on the land front and to the Snake Eye and Super Ball in space.
Towards the end of the book there is a section dedicated to painting figures and faces and that covers some of the Brick Works female resin subjects so typical of Ma.k.
I think this is a really great book, full of ideas to copy in my own models and a great reference of the incredible number of variants of the SAFS. Definitely my favourite book in the Ma.k in SF3d series so far.
Leo's Models 
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