Great Scale Modeling 2007

yet another example of the decline of the FSM empire.  A Translation problem?  In todays world, I don't buy it...a "duplicate article/photo essay" because it was a winner, not buying it!

GSM was horrible this year!

 I picked it up today and, while I like the overall quality of the pics, I feel let down by the bait and switch on the cover. Here's this beautiful Sherman Firefly with text and upc codes surrounding it and I'm thinking there'll be a nice clean shot of it in the mag....but no. (unless I've really screwed up and missed a page :) ). If it was on the gsmphotos page, I'd even be happy!

 geez, first post and already complaining! Great publications though!

Dave 

MontanaCowboy wrote:

I always thought the descriptions were short because those were the "mail-in" contest photos where the only dscription provided by the photographer was the name tag that was created when the model was entered.

How it works is the FSM photographer scouts out the entries and places a sheet next to the ones he wants to photograph. It is the builder's resposibility to fill this form out, including a brief description and bring the sheet and the model to the photo-stand.

I always thought the descriptions were short because those were the "mail-in" contest photos where the only dscription provided by the photographer was the name tag that was created when the model was entered. 

Matthew Usher wrote:

We're working on fixing that for next year. That's been a challenge with some of the overseas shows, where translation is an issue. Matt @ FSM

Sounds good

tedhealy wrote:

I was disappointed that a large number of pictures had no information in their caption.  Most had a blurb giving a short sentence about the model such as the scale, manufacturer, or after market add ons, but many just listed the modeler and subject with no additional details

I was disappointed that a large number of pictures had no information in their caption. 

Most had a blurb giving a short sentence about the model such as the scale, manufacturer, or after market add ons, but many just listed the modeler and subject with no additional details

Goshawk wrote:

Matt, Thanks for clarifying that. It certainly makes sense. To be specific, the B-2 was the "Popular Best of Show" as selected by the general public in attendance. The actual "George Lee Judges Grand Award" as determined by the judges was Robert Steinbrunn's incredible 1/192 USS Kidd. This model too was covered in a previous FSM.

Matt,

Thanks for clarifying that. It certainly makes sense.

To be specific, the B-2 was the "Popular Best of Show" as selected by the general public in attendance. The actual "George Lee Judges Grand Award" as determined by the judges was Robert Steinbrunn's incredible 1/192 USS Kidd. This model too was covered in a previous FSM.

ridleusmc wrote:

I agree with you about the B-2 feature.  It's a great model, but I feel like I paid twice for the same article.  Semper Fi, Chris

Goshawk wrote:

I just picked up my copy of GSM 07.  All in all a very nice cross section of very fine models.  I did feel a certain deja vu though with the showcase feature on Mr. Vojtech's B-2. Wasn't this just featured in the December issue? C'mon guys, I'm sure you could've found something else to feature in GSM. Anyone else care to share their thoughts?

Goshawk;

I agree that the B-2 was a fantastic build and deserved all the awards it won. However, it was already covered in the previous issue. There had to be something of similar calibre in skill that could have been showcased. No offence to the B-2 build.

This issue was supposed to be a collection of modelling and modellers. The show coverage was far too limited in its scope. I attended many shows this year and saw some fantastic work at each. When I finally received my copy of GSM this year I was really disappointed by the number of photos used from each show. Many of the top winning entries were not used.

Take the Ajax, Ontario show. Fantastic work there! Something for everyone from Cars to Aircraft to Armour to Sci Fi, some fantastic Scratchbuilt, Excellent Out Of the Box etc. etc. but so few pictures were used it looked like a club meeting night display not a Three Club effort to host.

What about showcasing some work of the younger modellers that placed well at each show. They are the future of the hobby and the target audience of manufacturers and the Magazine itself.

The issue could be larger to show more or possibly split into two issues to cover more if need be.

I think next year I will "preview" GSM at the news agent in town prior to purchasing.

Cheers;

Gregory

Well, I generally buy GSM with my FSM Subscription.  I consider Great Scale the 11th and 12th edition of Finescale, kind of like a swimsuit edition.  This is the first time I saw the same or very similar articles in the two.  It would have been better if the editors and staff, filled that space with something that readers haven't seen before.  I know it's a challenge and the staff at Kalemback work very hard, but we don't buy their products to see what we've already seen before.  I hope this is the only time they use the same feature twice.  I don't want to be overly critical, but I do want FSM, GSM, and Kalemback to take note that the repeat didn't make me happy.  I doubt I'm the only one.

Semper Fi,

Chris 

P.S. I'm generally satisfied with content of FSM and GSM.  This one exception isn't going to make me cancel my subscription. 

Bgrigg wrote:

Personally I think subscribers should get GSM included in their subscripton, seeing as we "only" get 10 issues per year.

Don't forget that the Great Scale Modeling is a stand alone magazine. People who don't subscribe to FSM might buy the magazine.

Personally I think subscribers should get GSM included in their subscripton, seeing as we "only" get 10 issues per year.

I agree with you about the B-2 feature.  It's a great model, but I feel like I paid twice for the same article. 

Semper Fi,

Chris