December 2005 FineScale ~ What do you think?

Jeff Herne wrote:

Dear Mr. Smith, Thank you. Jeff Herne FineScale Modeler

You're welcome Mr. Herne.

The USS Entetprise article.  That takes dedication.  The small aircraft he had on deck were just great.  One launching and one landing.  The deck was just one part of a totally great build.

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you.

Jeff Herne
FineScale Modeler

Get a grip! The article was about how to build a diorama, NOT about how to build and paint figures. He did a very good job on the building of the diorama. He could have used a Corgi tank and achieved the same effect, how to do the GROUNDWORK, which is what frustrates most first time dioramists. Following your logic every article should have a complete "How To Glue" lesson too.......

I found the December FineScale to be a major letdown, especially the 'Build your first diorama" article.  The use of prepainted figures was very disheartening to me.  I feel it does a major disservice to those people looking to get into scale modeling, as it rewards todays regrettable attitude prevalent in todays socity, that of Instant Gratification.  Granted they get a decent looking diorama fast, however earn none of the knowledge of what it actually takes to build a quality piece.   I feel that it would have been better to have gotten a simple figure set from Dragon, one of the 6-7 dollar ones, and shown what it actually takes to make one's own diorama with figures that one built themselves.  I would rather see one horribly screw up their first diorama, with mangled figures and atrocious construction, so that I could help that person point out the rough parts, and give ideas as to help avoid them in the future. 

Please take the time in the future so that people learn instead of throw money at a problem. 

ENTERPRISE ate my heart out

The Enterprise,fantastic,magnificent,exquisite and ah er gee pretty darn good.

I selected the "first diorama" as the ground-texture techniques can work with any model environment -- a beached ship or a crashed Gemini capsule, for two examples.

(Or, in my case, a T55, Katyusha truck, and a biplane with wheel ruts.)

I actually liked the Hetzer article. I didn't have anything to relate it too. I just liked it. I thought it was partly funny and enjoyable to read. I also thought it was cool that he was the PHOTO editor of playboy. Hehe, my future job.

I also enjoyed the Showcase of the Enterprise, I will be doing a 1/350 Trump. Nimitz completely motorized or lit conning towers, CATs, elevators, LSO station, cranes, and a Sea king with motorized rotor AND tail rotor. Oh and raising and lowering blast deflectors.

OOOHH It's gonna be awesome!

I realy liked the whole issue, but if I had to vote for one, it would be the review of the F-18 kits. I really liked the fact that 2 pages were dedicated to this and there was a breif history on the F-18s (to me half the fun of building a kit is the history behind the subject) . It was pretty informative, and I liked the fact that the authour actually built both of these kits. I have seen some reviews in other model cars magizines that the kit review is basicly an overview of whats in the box, and how well the instructions read. Anyways, great mag!

A really tough choice this month Matt as there were several fine articles and I think the poll results so far reflect that. I chose the Hetzer weekend because like many I have to balance work and family around my modeling time (or is that the other way around?) and it's good to get another "lighter" perspective of the hobby once and a while.

I, have to say that I really enjoyed two topics this month about the same. Since I really like to build 1/350 size ships, I have to give a thumbs up. On the other hand I am also getting involved with armor at the 1/35 scale and would like to build a dorama for my grandfather who faught a the battle of the bulge among fighting in Africa too. The man has been shot three different times and blown up once and gets around better than I do at 37. He just turned 84 years yong and I cant say enough for the person that he is. So building a dorama of a 1/35 scale sherman fighting in pattons army at the battle of the bulge is the least I can do for him. I would like to take this time to thank all of you veterans out there for what you'all have done for us and this country and the world for that matter, you are going to be missed more than you know. Not only have you inspired myself but my three sons are so interested in what when on in world war II. They can't seem to get enough of the history channel, hopeing to see grandpa on tv. Thank's again. leb68.

Where's the "secret code" Mark talked about being in the December issue?
I didn't see it. . .of course if it is secret. . .

Don

I truely enjoyed the article on the USS Enterprise. What an outstanding job and talk about dedication. My wife would kill me if I tried keeping a model on the kitchen table for 11 years!!! Guess I am partial to it as I did a tour onboard in the late 80's and it brought back some great memories. Thanks for a great magazine and keep up the good work.

I went for the ME-109 I always like Pat's builds.

I liked the bf109 article the best. Like most of us old guys i did most of my kit purchasing in the 70's and 80's (way to much purchasing) and like to see articles on improving the older kits.

Really enjoyed seeing the carrier article.I just shook my head in wonder at the level of detail.I have one 350th ship and can appreciate the time and dedication it took.I kind of petered out after a couple months of work,but still have a nice example of the USS MARYLAND,circa 1932.Keep up the great work!

This issue seemed more balanced and a little meatier than ones from earlier in the year; as always, I drool over the kit reviews until the pricetags knock some reality into my head :(

For me, the "Hetzer Weekend" was the most useful. All those other how-to articles are nice, but at this point in my modeling career, the most important "how-to" is how to actually start on a project and follow it through to completion, taking into account all the other distractions life throws your way.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher QUOTE: Originally posted by Ron Smith I'm not going to vote since I liked four of the articles equally. I have to hand it to the Hetzer guy...he admitted using fishnets from Victoria's Secret...I do not want to know why he had them...;) Please read his bio information (pg. 39) and note where he works. And I thought I had a great job! Matt Usher @ FineScale Modeler

Just imagine when his kid is old enough for "Take Your Son To Work Day"...

What I really want to know is how he fed and put the kid to bed in 9 minutes - it takes me almost that long to change my daughter's diaper and put on the footie pajamas.

Just got back into modeling after a 20 year break, the issues are fantastic with really great techniques Im currently utilizing.

I was torn between the diorama how-to, the Enterprise and the weekend timeline. Both were equally helpful to me, but I had to go with your how to becuase I saw plenty of help on future projects for me.

Great issue all around!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ron Smith I'm not going to vote since I liked four of the articles equally. I have to hand it to the Hetzer guy...he admitted using fishnets from Victoria's Secret...I do not want to know why he had them...;)

Please read his bio information (pg. 39) and note where he works. And I thought I had a great job!

Matt Usher @ FineScale Modeler

I'm not going to vote since I liked four of the articles equally. I have to hand it to the Hetzer guy...he admitted using fishnets from Victoria's Secret...I do not want to know why he had them...;)