I enjoy the back cover feature History you can model, but I found the latest one on the harrier lacking in several ways. I think it read like the notes on the front page of a kit’s instructions, and was a good overview of the Harrier, but the main problem I think is that it was much too general. I think that the best History you can model features have chosen one specific historical date, or one specific weapon used in a particular battle or event, and also give a complete list of kits & decals available to create that specific historical model. For instance, Harriers in the Falkland islands would have been a better idea - specific dates and specific aircraft used.
Just my oppinion, but I think a topic such as Harrier: No runways? No problem! is almost like doing a History you can model: B-52! Nothing wrong with the B-52, but in it’s long history there are way too many versions, wars, and historical uses to make it a worthwile History you can model. But if you want more specifics, do a History you can model on the “Operation Rolling Thunder” and list all kits of B-52’s used in Vietnam, decals available, etc, or something like B-52’s and X-planes, where you can describe the X-15’s that were attached to the B-52’s, and describe what kits are available to build these.
Just my oppinion,
Dave C
This may be, for me, the least interesting bit of the whole mag (along with the review of the ‘oldies’). But it’s a great introduction to those subjects if you do not know where to start researching… They are just a touch too ‘mainstream’ for me, I’d say.
No, I think it’s a very interesting feature, but I agree with dave and think it needs to be zeroed-in on a little more specifically. Highlight some of the features of the aircraft, airframe differences between the versions, types of weapons loadouts, camoflauge colors, etc. Also, list all the kits and scales available. Aftermarket parts too. Heck, you could do a one-page article on the sheets of decals available for OIF Marine Harriers alone! This would go for any aircraft or tank, or vehicle, etc.
Basically, if I typed in “harrier” on google, I could get the same synopsis as the magazine’s in about 10 seconds. I’m not asking for a complete aircraft history, I just think the feature should be more tuned to the model-building reader.