I haven’t built a kit in many years, but I’ve been asking questions on these forums and buying FSM once in a while when an issue looks interesting. Last night the wife was heading to the store, so I asked her to buy me the latest issue. One thing that really impressed me was the painting of the Build a Better Zero canopy. Putting the interior primer on before the exterior camo color so the inside looks primer was pure genius. I also enjoyed the article on building the “Whale”. Painting must be my weak spot as I get so much from articles that show little hints.
I got my first two issues of FSM when I was a kid back in 1984-85. Soon after that I got my first subscription. I’ve only missed renewing the subscription a few times over the years. I’ve seen so many cool articles and learned so much from them. FSM rocks!
It was really great to see all the guys Wingnut Wing builds,some nice work by our forum members
I think the last several issues of the mag have been great, and Aaron is the star. Not only the Zero article but the decaling one was great too!
I did like the GB photos of the WWI build. Pretty neat to recognize all the hard work and talent. I hope the magazine has more GB coverage in the future.
I see a lot of forum members have badges about one group build or another. Can someone fill me in on what a group build is and the rules?
Sure, although it’s a loose set of definitions.
A group build is (generally) a member-initiated effort to have a group of modelers tackle a certain theme. Recently FSM has started hosting them, but even there Tim and Aaron really act like any of the rest of us.
It all depends on a dedicated host. Good hosts spend a great deal of time answering questions and doing housekeeping.
You should look at some, and start with the initial post, read the rules and read on from there.
Badges are up to the host. Some GB’s let you take one right away; others when you finish them. I don’t post badges so I don’t follow that too closely, but it’s usually explained pretty well.
I personally dont usually join a GB and buy a kit, rather I look through whats up in GB’s first and go check the stash. Its a good way to move out stuff.
Highly recommended and you can learn a lot.
Thanks. I looked over a couple builds going on and have just one more question. What do they mean by “crossovers allowed?”
Thanks,
Jay
Crossovers are when a particular build is used in two (or more, I guess) different group builds. An example might be a P-38 lightning…you might be building it in both a group build on Twin-boom air planes and a group build on WW II Fighters.