Model Art Co, Ltd

Panzer Graph #17 Autumn 2009

by  Model Art

Reviewed By  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $31.95 Website: www.modelart.jp Imported by Dragon USA: www.dragonmodelsusa.com This magazine has been around since the summer of 2005. Every IPMS/USA reviewer has spoken highly of this quarterly publication in the past. This is the first time I have seen the magazine and I can understand their enthusiasm. It is quite impressive. I'd like to thank Model Art for this quarter's review sample. Panzer Graph # 17 is a soft cover Japanese publication. It measures 11-3/4" X 8-1/4" and includes 128 pages. The cover is high gloss and a little heavier than stock than US magazines. The pages are also glossy and maybe a little heavier paper than US magazines as well. It appears that the cover design has recently been revised from the "balloon" type text to something a less comical. I liked the change. Upon opening the magazine I was somewhat disappointed that it is printed in Japanese. There is some English text in the middle of the magazine, which I will discuss later. However, don't be put off by the Japanese text. The pictures, drawings, illustrations and general presentation of the material transcend the language barrier. The photographs and graphics are clear, sharp, and the color is spot on. This is an example of the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." This particular issue has four detailed builds: Tamiya's Matilda Mk. III/IV, a modification of Tamiya's Matilda Mk III/IV into the Aussie "Frog", Dragon's Ersatz M10, and Dragon's Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind". These four builds have an English translation of the Japanese text used in the articles. Inconveniently, these are in the middle of the magazine and not adjacent to the any of the articles. They are helpful, but as mentioned before, the pictures in the articles speak for themselves. Take the Matilda Mk. III/IV build as an example. It starts with a number of black and white WWII photographs of the tank. This is followed by 28 photographs taken close-up and in color of a restored Matilda – a walk around. Next comes the actual construction photographs also in color with close ups of the parts, tools and assembly. Following the build are three sets of drawings depicting the color schemes of three different field units. The color call outs refer to Tamiya paints and color codes. It's interesting to see that the next segment shows the modeler how to mask the tank and paint one of the color schemes. The project is not done yet. The last segment of the article shows how to build and display the model in a small diorama. The article presents a thorough build sequence from beginning to display. Besides these four builds, there are several dioramas depicted using many close-up color photographs and a few "how-to's". There is also what appears to be a field visit to an old WWII battlefield. The article includes several current color photographs and several black and white period photographs. A small map depicts the battlefield, topographical features and troop movements. It would be interesting to have this article translated, but it's not. Towards the back of the magazine are several pages of recently released kits. The text under the kits is in Japanese. However, the box tops are in English and carry all the information you need to find the models on the Internet. Like the issues before, Panzer Graph # 17 is another great magazine and is well worth the price. It could be considered a must for anyone building one of the four featured pieces of armor. This is an excellent publication and I would like to thank Model Art for submitting it for review and IPMS for allowing me to review.