July 2004 FineScale Modeler

Loved the issue. For those that didn't like it, then don't read it. Keep up the good work.

I liked the Duk article because it was very straight foward and very easy to read. Of course I enjoyed the entire magizine and I always look for it at mail call.
SGT Gentry
993rd Med Det
"Value Life Above All"

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog I did feel cheated by the Armor Roundup article since it seemed the author didn't do enough research on what kits are out there in small scale. Sure, he mentioned all the 1/35th scale kits of the various vehicles used, but only mentioned three kits being offered in 1/72 scale!

I have to agree with this, but I also have to add that the same thing happened in the aircraft roundup. I remember looking at the listings, checking the photos and thinking to myself "What about the Airfix kit?" or "Hey, I have this kit in 1/72 made by Heller!" I don't have my issue in front of me to tell you specifically which planes, but I have many of the "missing" 1/72 kits sitting on my stock shelf in my hobby room.

If a list like this is going to be put together, then it should include all scales of kits. I like 1/48 scale kits (remind me again how many kits there are in 1/48 scale of the P-51 Mustang), but the size of my house limits me to 1/72 scale aircraft and armor.

I hate to belabor a point, but unless all of us modelers who think that this hobby is not about history must be building M1A2 Abram's, F16's , F/A 18 Hornet's or any Scie. Fi. Models that only pertain from today forward. I personally feel that the D-Day issue was great , it is partiularly important in our own state of affairs in the US . Before I begin a model, during the refference gathering stage, I gather as many facts about the model as possible. This brings life to the plastic. If this stage is missed, then you 've missed the important HISTORY lesson that this model had to share. And then it won't matter what great techiques you use on it, it will still be just plastic and paint.....and nothing will be written about it 60 years latter.

I Really enjoy all the articles so imagine this; I begin a B-25 from Italieri with full Invasion Stripes meanwhile finishing an English Horsa glider in 1:72 with I.S. too!....and thanks for the D-Day kit round up I could find in my data base(models shelve)some others atractive subjets...So the rest of this year(2004) is going to be a D-Day conmemorative!....Thanks and Congratulations.

Duke,

I think you should do a smaller scale round up of D-day and post it here(in the forums, maybe in armor). Who better than you? I'm sure you could do it and t would be informative. It may not have to be long, but I'm sure you have a good list of kits that would be rather appropriate to that auspicious day. What better compliment to the mag?

Excellent issue as usual (maybe you should talk to your fellow modelers at Scale Auto. That magazine is on a fast downhill slide. But I digress (as opposed to egress).
Best article was on Gabreski's P-47D even tho' it has a major error in it. The camo info is incorrect. Mark Thompson is publishing my correction in next issue's letters to the editor. But correction is meant to be helpful not critical and certainly not intended to start a barrage of arguments. Let's keep modeling fun

I really liked this entire issue. I agree with the ealier comments regarding Gabreski's aircraft not being a true D-Day subject, but he was an exceptional pilot and individual, so it isn't a bad thing to include in this issue!!!
Doug

Actually, I pretty much agree with all the previous posts - the criticisms and the compliments - There was too much history, but it really WAS interesting, even if it might have seemed out of place in a modeling mag.
Overall, FSM is still the best quality plastic modeling mag on the market - even if a particular article isn't about your favorite subject.
I always look forward to the next issue - it's always a good day when it gets stuffed into my postbox.

All in all.. I enjoyed the issue, after a 9 year break from models to raise my daughter.

Lee: I don't think we're going to make history pieces a regular event, but for the special historical issues, Dr. Guilmartin writes such good stuff, we make an exception.

VirginiaModeler: Welcome back to the hobby. The folks here will help you get back up to speed pronto.