ModelArt

ModelArt Modeling Magazine No. 770, April 2009

Reviewed By  Luke R. Bucci, IPMS# 33459

MSRP: 1150 yen (approximately $12 USD) 160 pages, softcover Website: www.modelart.jp The April 2009 issue cover shows the major feature of this month – a 1/350 scale Hasegawa IJN Akagi aircraft carrier with full hull. Pages 7-27 have separate articles detailing different areas of building and detailing this impressive kit of the Akagi in 1941-1942 fit. The photo-etch options for the flight deck overhang is stunning – a kit unto itself. If you want to know what Akagi really looked like, this magazine will being you as close to reality as possible and 1/350 scale warships add a level of detail and complexity not possible with 1/700 scale. The drawbacks of 1/350 warships is their large price, size and hours needed to build and detail. A 1/350 scale ship without such detailing looks toy-like. Do not attempt this or any other 1/350 scale warship kit unless you do it justice with the PE details. As usual, the ModelArt No. 770, April 2009 issue is almost entirely written in Japanese. The format is close to 7 x 10 inches in size, and the printing and reproduction quality are excellent. Most of the articles and reviews (but not ads) are in color. The value of ModelArt magazines is their in-depth photographs and pictures of new models and how to build or modify them. Pictures tell the story, so lack of English language text is not a problem. Regular features include: a first look at Tamiya’s 1/350 full hull IJN Mogami in 1944 seaplane carrier fit. a section on Japanese Army WW2 heavy bombers (Helen, Peggy, Sally and a very odd Ki20 Type 92 bomber converted from a Junkers G38 Revell kit). Aoshima’s 1/700 reissue of DKM Tirpitz German battleship. a pictorial of JASDF MU-2S aircraft markings. New kit reviews included: Hasegawa 1/72 E-2C Hawkeye in JASDF marking. Hobby Boss 1/48 Mig-17F Fresco C. 1/24 Japanese kit of a Crown Patrol Metropolitan Police car. Tamiya 1/48 Marder III German tank destroyer. 1/35 Bronco British Army A13 Mk. I/Cruiser Tank Mk. III. 1/35 Trumpeter German tank Pzkpfw VI (Ausf A) VK3001(H). 1/350 Fujimi full hull IJN Ise carrier/battleship hybrid from 1944. Also included is a four-page section on Japanese airliner markings and this month’s 43Garage+ section on the 1/43 Ensign Ford N174 kit. As usual, the last 50 black-and-white pages was devoted to new kit releases and advertisements to keep you up-to-date on the world of modeling in Japan. This issue is recommended if you want to build 1/350 IJN warships and keep current on new armor and aircraft kits. It’s always an inspiration.