Your Favorite Articles in FineScale Modeler?

I like the scratch building articles, especially when they have lots of pictures. It really helps me see their technique and gives me ideas of how to build my own details.

After some consideration regarding FSM publications of this century, I find I am most fond of the "Build Better Models" issues as I do not need to sift through various issues to review more than one technique; very handy.

The articles that popped into my mind first were the scratchbuilt 1/72 M1 Abrams by Steven Zaloga, and the 1/48 P-80A conversion by Bob Steinbrum.  The 1/32 Hasegawa Me-163 Komet was also a good one.  Although not how-to articles, the 1/32 scratchbuilt B-52 and B-58 were also ones that caught my fancy.  Note that these were all from way back when.

To be honest, most current articles don't really get my juices flowing.  I still really like the gallery and review sections, which is why I buy the mag. Yeah I know there is a thing called the Internet, but I enjoy cracking open the latest FSM to see what readers and reviewers have been working on.

Hmmmm;

     I had to give that a little thought .I had been getting them at the closest LHS until I subscribed some years back . I don't remember just when .The Articles and the Gallery are what drew me and then the shipbuilding articles .I wanted to see how much was done the way I do it and how much was different .

        Now , that said , I just enjoy seeing all the guys work in here , Ladies too . It just does this old brain and heart good to see so many creative folks in the pages . I especially like articles about kits that came before and whatta difference there .

     Thing is , all the builders are very skilled at times in turning a " Sow's Ear " kit into a " Silk Purse " finished model . Kudos to all , for Inventive paint , Scratch and Research . I believe it all comes from learning in these pages.

      Tanker - Builder

I subscribed in the past for pretty much the same reasons. Particularly the articles about building, accurizing, or converting kits in my stash. What used to be another favorite area to me, the new/upcoming products has become something of a casualty of new technology. With the advent of the internet, the new products section is old news by the time that the magazine is in hand. Tips and reviews were never too high on my list for reasons to subscribe or not subscribe, or even buy the magazine. They were just incidental. Like I said previously, the styles of articles have changed, and some regular features discontinued. My subscription lapsed a few years back and I honestly have seen no reason to renew. 

To me it is the whole package- new products, ads, feature articles about building kits in my stash or one of my favorite subjects, tips section, reviews, and even the comments from other readers. If any of these were missing I would be less likely to continue subscribing.

I thorughly enjoy the new and upcoming kit section in the front of the mag. It's always fun to window shop

Sprue-ce Goose

Out of curiosity, what prompted others to begin buying FineScale Modeler Magazine ?

I subscribed because after lurking here for months and subsequently joining a couple years  back, I felt it was the least I could do since the publisher is making this forum available to us.

So far, I have saved all of the magazines.

It's interesting to go back to very old articles but some of those techniques may have been surpassed by what we currently see in use.

I have been a subscriber for a few years but originally got my issues either at the news stand or at the hobby shop.

I save the magazine and just enjoy the entire issue. Even though the magazine is good to have, I actually enjoy more the web forum where I can interact with other members exchanging info, techniques and even kit parts.

I probable value the kit reviews the most, followed by the assembly descriptions.  I keep all of mine (nowhere near a complete collection) and enjoy going back through them every so often just to get inspired or to find some tidbit of knowledge I remembered reading about.  Of course the reader's gallery is full of inspirations also.  FSM is a great magazine and I look forward to getting it.  It always brightens my day.  Thanks, and keep up the good work.

John

I always appreciated the build logs 1st of all,then the kit reviews,the questions and answers,and the tips.

I have almost every issue back to the first,iI have them in the binders and I do refer to them.I particularly like to leaf thru them while on the stationary bike.

I saved most all of my old issues, although a few have since disappeared. I am especially fond of going back to the older ones that have the scratch building or conversion articles w/templates and plans, other articles with the multi view line drawings, and of course, the long gone "International Color and Camouflage" series.... 

Might sound odd, but one of the better features for me is the "new products section." I can see what kits, AM, decals, etc. are being released.

Next would be kit and product reviews, then the readers gallery. Some of the gallery models are extremely well crafted, plus the details of the build and finish are most useful for me.

One subject I find very helpful is the painting articles that I'm seeing, when a new paint brand is released and re-viewed I'm more comfortable with trying it. Good info can help to avoid buying a product that isn't right for me.

Great magazine and staff, ten times a year I eagerly look forward to the mail truck arrival.

Thanks, FSM folks.

Patrick