Model Art Co, Ltd

Model Art Magazine #712 October 2006

Reviewed By  Patrick Keenan, IPMS# 31192

MSRP: Approximately $8.50 USD (1000 Yen) If you've read my review of the September Model Art Modeling Magazine, you'll know I don't speak or read Japanese. However, I believe I was able to do okay on explaining the content of the magazine. I hope it works out again with the October issue. With that being said (again), when reading my review, please remember the important fact that I since I can't read Japanese, any comment I make regarding the magazine's lack of English content is NOT a negative facet of the publication, but a limitation of mine, the reviewer. However, being that I am a non-Japanese speaker and that most of the IPMS/USA readership also probably fits in this same category, I felt it was VERY important to review the publication as it will seen by a majority of the main audience of this review; as non-Japanese speakers/readers. Now on to the review…. For those of you who have never seen one of Model Art's Modeling Magazines, the format is VERY similar to Fine Scale Modeler. It has "features", small build articles, new kit news, special "departments" (air, armor, auto, etc), and a bunch of advertisements for cool new products. Model Art's size is a bit shorter in length and narrower than traditional American magazines, but it is THICK with tons of large, high quality glossy photographs. The text is entirely in Japanese with only a few English words, mostly some of the article headings. There is no English summary, so I can only imagine what the text "said". To be honest, I was very disappointed I couldn't read these articles because they looked to be excellent as evidenced by the photos that are present. The one good thing is that the Japanese language uses the traditional Arabic numbering system, so one can determine the scale of each model, and many times you can identify a particular vehicle (i.e. Pzkfw 38t) The contents of Issue number 712 is as follows:   Model Features    · Zero Fighter Special - Includes many models of the (what appears to be) early war A6M2/A6M3 Japanese Zero Fighters in different scales (1/32 Tamiya, 1/48 & Hasegawa). It also includes another edition of "Zero Fighter Illustrated" (Color Drawings of Detail Parts of the Aircraft) and a build article of a 1/16 Imperial Japanese Navy Pilot figure. The interesting thing to me is that the article includes detail photos of IJN fighter pilot equipment.    · Another feature is included which highlights the Hasegawa 1/350 Soya Antarctica Observation Ship.   New Kit Reviews    · 1/350 Trumpeter "Special Edition" HMS Hood Battleship (It comes with the Trumpeter detail set)    · 1/144 Revell Type VIID Mine laying Submarine (U-217)    · 1/24 Tamiya Toyota "Toms" 84c Grand-Prix Car    · 1/35 Tristar Pzkfw 38t Ausf. E/F    · 1/35 Academy M3 Lee Medium Tank    · 1/48 Academy CH-53E Super Stallion    · 1/48 Hasegawa "T3 Jr." and "Blue Impulse Jr." kits. They are described as a "Japanese Acrobatic Running Team". The only way to describe these kits is to say that the "Jr." planes depict those of some sort of riding team. They look like Scooter/Go-Kart-like vehicles made up to look like the real airplanes; Think Military Shriners at parades. The kits come complete with figures of the "pilot/drivers". If you like the Hasegawa Egg-Planes, you might like these.   Special Departments/Small Model Features (Examples Include)    · 1/72 Hasegawa A6M2K Zero Trainer    · "43 Garage" (a Section that specializes in 1/43 automobile kits)    · Reader's Club (Described as "Readers Voice, Events and Information). This section has some very cool Japanese "Anime" Military Cartoons (one depicting a WWII Soviet Era scene with a KV-1 Heavy Tank and an early war Yak fighter).   New Kit News (Examples Include)    · 1/48 Hasegawa P-40e Warhawk, N1K1-JA, F-8J Crusader & AH-64D Apache    · 1/48 Trumpeter Wellington Mk I Bomber    · 1/35 Trumpeter 12.8cm L/61 "Sturer Emil" The number and high quality of the photographs provided in this magazine is top notch. There are many very large photos with incredible detail shots provided as well. Also, the magazine was chock-full-of photos. Tons of them. So, you get quality AND quantity with Model Art Magazine photos. To me, the number and quality of the photographs more than made up for the fact that I couldn't understand 99% of the text. Again, that's my limitation. As a non-Japanese speaking/reading individual, I really didn't get nearly as much out of the magazine as I would have liked. The quality and depth of the photos did make "reading" this magazine fun and interesting none-the-less. The quality of the print medium was also outstanding. The photos were mostly in a large color format, with clear and beautiful views. The text was in large, dark, easy to read fonts and the paper used was top-shelf, thick and glossy stock. This magazine is more like a soft-cover book! Think Squadron/Signal Publications or Concord Publications. Thanks to Model Art Co., Ltd for the opportunity to review Issue No 712. Recommended.

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