Model Art (distributed by Dragon Models)

Model Art Modeling Magazine No. 760, November 2008

Reviewed By  Luke R. Bucci, IPMS# 33459

[book cover image]

MSRP: 1050 yen (approximately $11)
160 pages, softcover
Publisher website: www.modelart.jp; distributor website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com

As usual, the Model Art No. 760 (11) November 2008 issue is presented in almost 100% Japanese. The format is close to 7x10 inches in size, and the printing and reproduction quality are excellent. Most of the articles and reviews (but not ads) are in color.

[review image] [review image]

The cover shows the major feature of this issue – the Japanese Zero Mitsubishi A6M5 late-WW2 naval fighter. Pages 7-43 have separate articles covering different areas of building, detailing and show four OOB 1/48 and two 1/72 kits. Two builds of Tamiya’s 1/48 A6M5/5a, Hasegawa’s 1/48 A6M5 and Arii’s 1/48 A6M52 kits are presented in detail. I could not determine the identity of the two 1/72 kits. Tips for modifying each kit to improve accuracy are shown. Even though the articles aren’t written in English, it is easy to understand what's going on. Also included are smaller features on engine exhausts and pilot uniforms. If you want to build a late-war Zero, this issue is for you.

[review image] [review image] [review image]

Regular features include waterline ships (this time accurizing the new Sendai light cruiser by Aoshima in 1993 fit with an aircraft hangar in the bridge), a JASDF MU-2 look-around (cockpit area), and 43Garage + 1964 Porsche 904GTS racer. A 1/72 scale diorama of Special Navy’s U-boat Type IIa in drydock shows what you can do with this kit.

New kits reviewed are:
    1. Zvezda’s 1/72 Pe-8 long-range pre-WW2 Russian bomber.
    2. Trumpeter’s 1/35 Sd.Kfz.7 German WW2 halftrack.
    3. unknown Japanese kit of a 1/24 Ferrari 250 GTO touring car.
    4. unknown Japanese kit of a 1/20 1981 Ferrari 126CK Grand Prix racer.
    5. Pitroad’s 1/700 USS Astoria 1942 heavy cruiser (lost at the Battle of Savo Island).
    6. Hasegawa’s 1/200 Boeing 737-700 in ANA markings (with eight different paint schemes illustrated).

Eighteen pages of small-size new kit and product announcements precede 40 pages of ads and news (as usual).

Recommended if you want to build a late-war Zero fighter from the available 1/48 and 1/72 kits. Thanks to Model Art (and Dragon Models USA) for the review copy.


Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site
are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.