Model Art Co, Ltd

Model Art Modeling Magazine #732 September 2007

Reviewed By  Mike Howard, IPMS# 30741

MSRP: ¥1000 per copy ($9.05) Website: www.modelart.jp Model Art products are available from Dragon Models USA (www.dragonmodelsusa.com) Individual copies and back issues of Model Art Magazine are available from Hobbylink Japan As I've stated in previous reviews of this publication, I really need to learn to read Japanese. This magazine has a diverse collection of articles, adds and reviews that just looking at the great photos and illustrations leaves mean wanting to know more. This issue has a great selection of articles and builds related to Japanese aircraft items (mostly WWII) as well as a selection of other aircraft, shift, armor and automotive subjects. Here's the breakdown for the issue : A very nice looking, superdetailed 1/32nd Tamiya F-14A. The builder has opened lots of access panels to depict a maintenance scenario. All work looks great! Next up is a build review of the new 1/32nd Hasegawa Ki-61 "Tony". Some nice in-process shots and completed photos make this new kit look to be a real treat to construct. Following the Tony build is a helpful reference section for fans of WWII Japanese aircraft subjects. This one focuses on the landing gear weighting indicators used on many light attack and fighter aircraft of the era. Illustrations also include some detailing of the main gear legs and associated brake lines. A group of build articles on various Japanese WWII subjects cover the next pages. Starting with a 1/48th Ki-51 "Sonia", the older Nichimo kit I'm guessing, is well covered, again with both in-process and complete photos. This old kit can still be built into a nice looking model. This is complimented by the following (the kit manufacturers are "best guesses" as these articles are all in Japanese) : 1/72nd Hasegawa Ki-48 "Lily" 1/72nd Hasegawa Ki-67 "Peggy" 1/48th Nichimo Ki-45 "Nick" 1/48th Tamiya Ki-46 "Dinah" fighter version.

All show some build pictures and then completed shots. Changing eras, a 1/48th JASDF T-33 (Hobbycraft kit?) build is covered. There are some build, completed and reference photos included. The reviews section starts off with the new 1/144th Revell Super Connie in TWA livery. This being one of my all time favorite aircraft, I only wish I could read what they have to say about it! The finished item looks very nice in the photos. Also included are reviews of the following kits : 1/48th Trumpeter FGA.Mk.6 Seahawk 1/24th Fujimi (?) Ferrari 599GTB "Fiorano" 1/35th Dragon PzKfw IV Ausf.F2 "Super kit" 1/35th Dragon 105mm "Dicker Max" 1/350th DDG-173 Kongo (manufacturer unknown).

All of these kits look to be nicely engineered and a good variety of interesting subjects. A couple more build articles close out this section. The regular "43 Garage+" section covers a 1/43rd FIAT N-2000 "N-Technology" resin kit. Looks like a nice build based on the in-process and finished shots of this neat little rally car. There's also coverage of the 1/35th Bronco Model Beobachtungspanzer 38 H(f) Only completed photos and one color drawing accompany this article. Finally the last 30 pages or so show pictures of new kits, books, decals, tools and accessories from all genre of modeling interests. Lots of interesting items that I've never seen advertised in the US festoon these pages. Again, I wish I could read this !! Overall this is visual treat even for the eyes of those that aren't versed in Japanese. I'd like to thank Model Art magazine and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

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