Is FSM nicer to look and yet boooooring to read?

QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod I don't find any of the articles in FSM boring. Even the articles on basic techniques are good refreshers & sometimes offer a new wrinkle. REgards, Rick

Some times I will even read or look at the wingy thingies!

mmmm... quite difficult topic to speak about!

I think that is hard to satisfy such a huge and diverse audience as the one that a general modelling magazine as FSM has. It should consider:
1- different skill levels
2- different preferences, a few of them are:
* tanks (modern, old, german, allied, russian, none of the above, etc.)
* aircraft (civil, military, bilpane, monoplane, with propellers, with turbines, etc).
* cars/trucks (new, old, racing)
* ships (sail/motor, civil/war, modern/WW1/WW2/ancient, etc)
* dioramas
* figures (infinite variants!)
* space
* sci-fi
3- different techniques
4- and so on...

So, in my opinion, FSM is doing quite a great job. I never get bored (yes, I do prefer some articles and topics and instrad read "lightly" others), and tha quality is very good. But there is room for improvement; for instance:
1- to "classify" articles regarding skill level, and have a mix in each issue (nice idea,
Mario!)
2- use FSM's website to posr articles that does not qualify for being included in the magazine but can be useful for a more limited audience.
3- edit several "special topics" issues for articles less general (eg: for specific audiences; or for technical/historical topics).

Well, I run out of ideas for the moment. Best to stop writing , and let others follow.

Regards to all,
Diego.

Well folks, here's something to ponder...

The vast majority of the articles submitted to FSM come from the readership...that means you and I. If you're not happy with the scope of the articles, then get out your crayons and start writing! It's basically as simple as that.

There's a wide variety of techniques that we use as individual modelers. For example, we all stretch sprue, right? Well, I make ultra-fine glue tips for my CA bottles by using the stretched sprue method with tubes from Windex bottles...as a result, I haven't bought glue tips in 20 years...I also use a porcelain chip filling material instead of putty. The result? I don't buy Testors, Mr. Filler, or Squadron putties anymore.

That being said, how exciting would an article be on stretched sprue glue tips made from Windex tubes? BORING!!!! There's a finite number of things to write about, building, painting, weathering, decals, etc. At the same time, you have to cater to a broad audience in order to sell magazines. If you're in the top 30% percent of award winning modelers, then chances are you're not going to learn something from FSM in every issue. But not everyone is an expert modeler, in fact, most modelers are average in their skills, and as a result, learn more from the content of FSM.

It's a balance...the magazine and staff can do just so much, considering the majority of the content comes from the readers.

If its any consolation, I have a few really interesting articles I'm preparing...figures, ships, and even some armor. And I promise, no P-51s, Bf-109s, Tigers or Panthers.

Jeff Herne

it's been a long time since i bought an issue of FSM. i have stacks of Model Railroaders to the ceilings but only about a dozen Fine Scale Modellers. the only problem i ever had with FSM was in building articles there was no list of neccesary parts and tools. MR has this in a bright pink box so it can't be missed. i know with scale modeling a lot times you end up using stuff from your parts box, but i would look at a project and get discouraged because i would think " i don't have these parts and i can't buy a whole kit for 3 pieces". thats all, otherwise a great mag which i will have to start buying again.

I find FSM to be a fairly good publication. In the recent months they've had some fairly good articles, but I do have to admit that there is a serious lack of any higher-level techniques and builds. It's not boring to read, but I would love to see some newer stuff. There are a plethora of techniques that people are exploring, and that aren't covered here. Acrylics seem to be a big thing now, especially 'filtering' and I think an article on something like that would be pretty good.
Only beef I have is in the predominantly aircraft oriented reviews. Some more armor please

Dude.......in the past several months there has been way more content than in recent years. I for one like to periodically review basic techniques in case I get rusty or to see refinements and/or new ideas. These hard-workin' fools are giving us a better publication for the same price.
Sincerely,
B.Wildered

My only suggestion is less text and more how-to progress photos.

Dan

QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod I don't find any of the articles in FSM boring. Even the articles on basic techniques are good refreshers & sometimes offer a new wrinkle.

Exactly!

Boring, did someone say boring? I think not! There is always something to be gleaned from the articles even if it is a type of kit you would never build! I'm into armor but the articles on planes and ships almost always teach me a new technique or a special way of achieving a better result then the way I was doing it! There is a vast diversity of builders out there and FSM tries to bring something to the table to reach as many modelers as possible each month. I for one really enjoy the magazine! I agree with LemonJello, just flipping through the pages is enough to get you inspired to get building!

I don't find any of the articles in FSM boring. Even the articles on basic techniques are good refreshers & sometimes offer a new wrinkle.

REgards, Rick

Mario,

They used to do just that with the Basic Techniques <--> Advanced Results section, and the FSM Finishing School section. Maybe those should be brought back.

I'd also like to see, again, more full builds (from start to finish) as feature articles. It seems that many of the features articles for the past several issues have focused on just one aspect of building a kit (e.g. detailing tank interiors, adding PE parts ot a kit, etc.). Those articles are good in that they cover general techniques that have a wide application, but I'd also like to see how a single kit is built and what techniques the kit's builder uses for that kit. Some of the best articles in FSM were like that in the past.

Regards,

I Agree: basics are the foundation, they have to come from one time (issue) to another for those people just coming to the hobby.

But, what about having separate skill sections? Wouldn't be nice too?

Hi all,

I think things go in cycles. Early this year, I sat down to use Micro Set and Micro Sol for the first time when applying decals. I had two issues of FSM, three or four years apart, with articles on decalling -- both written by Paul Boyer (I think) -- to guide me.

I was glad to have those articles even though there was a lot of redundancy between them.

I expect another article on decalling in another year or so.

Regards,

I think you're a bit unfair, 'cause not that long ago, there was a great article introducing the salt/weathering technique. Before that, I still have in mind a great article describing how to make your own PE sets. The Future article? I have used Future/Klear for nearly 14 years now and I still learned something from Swanny's blurb.

I'm a bit tired of seeing, not just in FSM but in all other modeling mags the same reviews of Panthers, Tigers, P-51, Me-109 and the odd FW-190... But let's face it, if manufacturers are still coming up with yet some new Panther and Mustang kits, it's because a lot of people are buying them... So it makes sense to print stuff about what is popular...

I find it a good read, and it ususally intorduces me to an area of modelling that I don't do my self, but I can take something from the articles, even if it's "I'm never going to try that!" or "Yep, resin is not the way to go for me."

I wouldn't mind seeing new and different things in the magazine, of course. This is such a diverse hobby and the magazine only has so many pages to cover it, that there are bound to be gaps in what people want to see.

Such is life. I just enjoy flipping through FSM when I have a chance at home.