Model Art Co, Ltd

Model Art Magazine #725, May 2007

Reviewed By  Brian Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: 1050 yen (approximately $11) Publisher: Model Art Co., Ltd, 3-11 3chome, Iidabashi Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan (www.modelart.jp). Model Art is one of the better Japanese modeling periodicals. It includes articles on new kits, modeling techniques, and almost anything dealing with the subject of modeling aircraft, ships, and vehicles of all kinds. Unfortunately for American readers, it is printed almost entirely in Japanese, but that doesn't detract from its usefulness under some circumstances. The photos and models depicted are all first rate, and a lot can be gained from them. For example, I have always wanted to do a model of the Mitsubishi A6M1 prototype "Zero Sen" fighter with the two bladed prop, but have never been able to find enough documentation to justify doing the conversion. Because of the article in this issue, now I can. Issue Number 5 is full of articles that must be very useful to Japanese readers. The first is a "History of Hasegawa" which brings back memories of the first Hasegawa kit I ever saw, a Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete" in 1/72 scale. The kit is not mentioned in the article, as far as I can tell, although I recall Mr. Hasegawa visiting our IPMS Phoenix Chapter about 1972. I brought in a "cleaned up" "Pete" for "Show and Tell" that time, and Hasegawa said he didn't remember making the kit. It was so bad that I can understand his attitude. To show how much progress had been made, at the 1973 IPMS National Convention in Phoenix in 1973,he brought a barrel of the kits in bags, giving one out to each attendee at the 1973 Nationals in Phoenix. I still have several. Following is an article on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen, illustrating models of several of the more unusual variants, including the A6M1, A6M7, A6M8, and the A6M2b two seat trainer. Photos of the models and color three views are provided. Other articles include a 1/700 US Destroyer (probably DD-12), and AFV/vehicle/figure showcase. A French-built model of a Japanese F-15J, a Dragon 1/32 P-51D, and a kit review of a 1/700 IJN Shikinami Fubuki class destroyer. Tamiya's 1/35 German AB4B 203 armored car, Revell's 1/72 Focke Wulf FW-200C-5/C-8 Kondor carrying a "glided missile" (obviously an HS-293), Fujimi's 1/24 Porsche Cayman S, an unknown brand 1/35 SDKfz 101 Ausf. A Medical Evacuation Vehicle, an unknown brand 1/43 Garage Racer from 1956, and a Dragon 1/35 Pz. 38T are also reviewed. Basically, this publication contains excellent photos and a lot of useful information, even if the reader is unfamiliar with Japanese writing. In addition, there are a lot of ads from Japanese model shops, which would be useful with English captions. Unless more English captions were included, however, I wouldn't recommend subscribing, as it is probably a fairly expensive publication. No subscription price or cost is apparent in the text. Thanks to IPMS for the review copy.

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