May 2005 FineScale ~ What do you think?

Just got mine in the mail on Sat. I've been a subscriber for sometime, and have enjoyed the evolution of the magazine, espcially over the past six or seven years. I would concider myself a weekend modler, as perhaps the majority of your readers are. My skills vary, but i find myself going back to issues when i run into a problem or looking for a new technique. I must say this past issue, May, I rather enjoyed both articles on resin casting and the resin ship buiding. Being that i focus on resin spacecraft and launch vehs, but recently dove into resin ships so i found the article very informative. Keep up the good work!

One of the better issues in a long time.
I really liked the Resin casting article, since that is a skill I am just now trying to acquire.
Also the Perry frigate article was very good -- unlike usual articles, there was lots of pictures & text to explain it -- I am in favor of more depth in the articles.

John

Alas i havn't gotten the chance to read it yet, thats the problem with living on the other side of the world, i won't be able to get my hands on it until it reaches the newsstands toward the end of the month...............

But i do have a Whatever happened to the From the Forum page? i always enjoyed reading that section and seeing the familiar user names in the magazine.........
Cheers Jules.........

Mine also came in on saturday. Although I voted for the M60 article for the poll, I really liked the resin ship article also. Its a nice project without getting too insane. The Mexican F-5 was interesting to me due to the neck of the woods I live in. Overall very enjoyable issue.

I like it! Favourite articles would have to be Secrets of Resin Casting and Build and Detail a 1:350 scale Perry-Class Missile Frigate. Michael (Australia)

I voted for the article on "Bondo" Phil Brandt's Jazzy Jets.

Trully inspiring work. Nice to see something different in the way of subject matter.

Thanks for featuring him.

Phil, if you read this, great work!

Tory

I was looking forward to this issue for the resin moulding techniques, and this I found to be a great article. The rest of it was kind of lame. Again, an under-representation of armor, with an overabundance of aircraft kits. Hmm, methings this trend will continue 'till my subscription expires.

Really liked the Obiekt 704 article as well as the M-60 article. As an armor nut I ofcourse like to see as many armor articles as possible. It brings more balance to the magazine.
I also enjoyed the Resin casting article, (but I'm not a big fan of the Leggo method)and I'd like to see more advanced resin casting techniques showcased. I'd recommend Vagabond as a resin source, as Micro-Mark is on the spendy side.

Haven't got mine yet but will let you know after I read it.

The resin-casting article was just fantastic. While I already understand the principles of the process, Matt's article was so clear in terms of presentation in words & pictures, and using lego's are the form is an execellent idea. So, once again, a big thanks to Matt for the article. Can I look forward to easy homemade photoetch next?

This is the best issue I've EVER gotten!!! FSM has out done itself this time! EXCELLENT magazine!

The article on resin casting was timely and well-written. I would also like to learn more about casting metal.

I thought the resin casting article was excellent. The features on the major contests is also a great way to expand the hobby and our imaginations. I feel there is more overall diversity in the last year from you and that the magazine is responding to the ever changing needs of the hobby and modelers. Keep up the great work and we'll hopefully see you in Vancouver again this year.
Drew H.

Truly an excellent issue. My favourites? "Bondo" Phil Brandt's Jazzy Jets, the resin casting clinic and the Vancouver Fall Show. Keep up the good work.

I like the extra thing attached to the back, the basics of airbrushing guide thingy

Mine arrived in perfect condition, plastic bag all sealed up and insert without a crease!
Contents inside were pretty good also.
Prices of items used on the build ups would be a nice feature, as some of us budget projects. Finding out FSM is building a $40 model but adding $150 worth of after market goodies is a bummer. The opposite is true too, a $150 resin kit with $40 of after market stuff! Put in the prices!!

Don

I guess I'll be the "Devil's Advocate" on this issue.

My basic subsciption copy was okay and the resin casting article was by far the best item in the issue. However, the rest of the mag was quite thin in terms of "hardcore" modeling information. As mentioned, armor was hardly covered at all and even those aircraft model articles that generated some minor interest for me were extremely watered down.

My biggest concern was discovering that once again (as with the sample microbrushes last year), loyal subscribers were not provided with the FSM supplement on airbrushing. Only those individuals who purchased the magazine in plastic wrap at the newstand (or perhaps overseas subscribers?) were fortunate enough get this valuable information. Oh, well...

I enjoyed the magazine, though I have not read all of it (what M60 article). I also know why I still don't subscribe, I get to see the articles and the condition of the mag first, and I get the extra inserts. Maybe you should create a premium subscription class that include all the inserts and other issues that are only available on the news stand. The whole point of subscribing is to get all the material and not miss something because you did not make it to the news stand on time. Since I HAVE to go to the news stand anyway why bother with a subscription, it is certainly not because of the cost savings when you miss a article!

Theadore

Still haven't gotten mine.....

I think only the subsribers got the M60 article, but not those who bought it on the newstand. Anyway, I voted for the "Bondo" portfolio. I don't know him, nor vice versa, but I always look forward to seeing his work at various webpages. I tend toward the esoteric myself, so his subject matter is right up my alley. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see his portfolio. His models are a little "clean", but his workmanship is off the chart. The other articles were definitely readable. I've been getting FSM since the inaugural issue in '82 (only a couple of years have been as a subsrciber), and it is still my favorite scale model periodical.

Jeremy

The articles were very informative. But it was the editor's note that got me. Man, I can relate to that! It's good that blending your relationship with this hobby was taken upon good consideration this time. I was laughing when I read that "Mom, Dad has just spent $2,000 on models!".

Noel

Resin casting article excellent send more F S best subscription I receive
jpiche
prescott Canada

QUOTE: Originally posted by Foster7155 I guess I'll be the "Devil's Advocate" on this issue. My basic subsciption copy was okay and the resin casting article was by far the best item in the issue. However, the rest of the mag was quite thin in terms of "hardcore" modeling information. As mentioned, armor was hardly covered at all and even those aircraft model articles that generated some minor interest for me were extremely watered down. My biggest concern was discovering that once again (as with the sample microbrushes last year), loyal subscribers were not provided with the FSM supplement on airbrushing. Only those individuals who purchased the magazine in plastic wrap at the newstand (or perhaps overseas subscribers?) were fortunate enough get this valuable information. Oh, well...

I completely agree on the addition thing. I subscribe, and did NOT get an extrat booklet. I fear I must cry foul! Send them to us subscribers too!!

i love your mag. very use full i have been getting fine scale modeler since 1989 from the news stand.

This issue is great as most of the others were and are.

I like the articles on ships as this is what I';ve been building since the mid 1950s when I was a kid.

One of the things I've noticed since then is that the kits have gotten better but so too have my skills as a modeler. Some of these skills I've come by the hard way thru trial and error (probably more error than I would want to admit to). Som of these skills I've learned from the pages of Fine Scale Modeler to which I have subscribed off an on since it first came out.

I do have one complaint and it isn't about this one specific issue or indeed any of the issues of the magazine. It's one that has to do with the hobby of scale modelling in general. With all of the fine models that are shown in these pages, some people might get the idea that if you can't produce models of this quality you should be a scale modeller. That is not true but it seems that there is some pressure put forth by the modelling press, modelling clubs and other organizations that can be seen as quite offputting. I am sure that no body means to give anyone this impression.

I came back to scale modelling after I had completed college, got married and begun my family. I came back to it (though I never really left) as a means for letting off steam and having fun too. I didn't want ot to become a job and I am sure I am not alone in that. If I want more pressure I can work extra hours at my job or in my business and get the reqrd of a larger paycheck. I don't want my hobby to become my job nor vice versa. I do this to have fun and if I don't want to add photo-etch to my models, that's my choice.

It really all boils down to this, if you like producing works of art, by all means do so. But if you're only doing this to have fun, then one doesn't have to feel pressured to produce contest winning models. So long as you're satisfied, no one has the right to say you're wrong or that you are wasting your time. In effect one has to decide whether he or she has a hobby, or if the hobby has you.

Irv Feldman

I must agree with Tankmaster7. Subscribers should get all the extra's and then some. For the cost of a yearly subscription, we should get any and all inserts. I think the price for one year is kind of steep, considering it's for 10 issues. I say FSM go to a full 12 month subscription year, and make sure the subscribers get the "bonus" material. I'm also annoyed when I see it on the stand a week before I get it in the mail. Tell me again what the advantage to subscribing is?

This is a bit off topic from the original idea behind the thread but I wanted to respond to a few of the delivery and extras related comments that are popping up here.

The booklets that are bagged with newsstand issue from time to time are the magazine industry equivalent to banking's 'open up a new account and get a toaster' type of promotion. It's certainly not meant as a slap to current customers, it's simply a way of trying to entice potential customers to come and take a look. Subscribers do receive the benefits of saving $10 off the newsstand rate and having each issue delivered to their door.

As to when the issues arrive at your door versus the newsstand, subscriber copies are sent via second-class mail, which is our standard domestic delivery service. In accordance with US Postal Service standards we allow ten business or working days for delivery of each copy. Although second-class mail is highly reliable, delivery times can fluctuate within the postal system.

Subscriber copies are mailed up to one week in advance of the issues distributed at newsstands and hobby shops. Newsstand and hobby shop copies are boxed and shipped via expedited delivery services such as United Parcel Service. Depending on the dealer’s location, their expedited shipment may arrive before some subscribers have received their issues via the Postal Service. Dealers are also asked to not display issues until a prescribed On Sale Date, but it doesn't always work out that way.

We realize that many people subscribe to ensure receipt of their magazine before the issue is for sale at the newsstand or hobby shop. We regret the frustration this situation causes our subscribers, but it is somewhat out of our control. First class delivery is available for an additional charge.

We greatly value our readers whether they are subscribers or newsstand buyers, but it is certainly our intention to have subscribers receive their copies first.

If you have persistant delivery problems or are interested in upgrading your subscription to first-class delivery, please contact Customer Sales and Service at 800-533-6644. Customers outside the U.S. and Canada may contact us at
414-796-8776, ext. 421, via fax at 414-796-1615.

Thanks for reading FSM!

QUOTE: Originally posted by IFeldman This issue is great as most of the others were and are. I like the articles on ships as this is what I';ve been building since the mid 1950s when I was a kid. One of the things I've noticed since then is that the kits have gotten better but so too have my skills as a modeler. Some of these skills I've come by the hard way thru trial and error (probably more error than I would want to admit to). Som of these skills I've learned from the pages of Fine Scale Modeler to which I have subscribed off an on since it first came out. I do have one complaint and it isn't about this one specific issue or indeed any of the issues of the magazine. It's one that has to do with the hobby of scale modelling in general. With all of the fine models that are shown in these pages, some people might get the idea that if you can't produce models of this quality you should be a scale modeller. That is not true but it seems that there is some pressure put forth by the modelling press, modelling clubs and other organizations that can be seen as quite offputting. I am sure that no body means to give anyone this impression. I came back to scale modelling after I had completed college, got married and begun my family. I came back to it (though I never really left) as a means for letting off steam and having fun too. I didn't want ot to become a job and I am sure I am not alone in that. If I want more pressure I can work extra hours at my job or in my business and get the reqrd of a larger paycheck. I don't want my hobby to become my job nor vice versa. I do this to have fun and if I don't want to add photo-etch to my models, that's my choice. It really all boils down to this, if you like producing works of art, by all means do so. But if you're only doing this to have fun, then one doesn't have to feel pressured to produce contest winning models. So long as you're satisfied, no one has the right to say you're wrong or that you are wasting your time. In effect one has to decide whether he or she has a hobby, or if the hobby has you. Irv Feldman

Actually, I can't complain as far as getting my issue. I usuallly get it a couple days in advance of the news stands.