I think only the subsribers got the M60 article, but not those who bought it on the newstand.[%-)] Anyway, I voted for the “Bondo” portfolio. I don’t know him, nor vice versa, but I always look forward to seeing his work at various webpages. I tend toward the esoteric myself, so his subject matter is right up my alley. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see his portfolio. His models are a little “clean”, but his workmanship is off the chart. The other articles were definitely readable. I’ve been getting FSM since the inaugural issue in '82 (only a couple of years have been as a subsrciber), and it is still my favorite scale model periodical.
The articles were very informative. But it was the editor’s note that got me. Man, I can relate to that! It’s good that blending your relationship with this hobby was taken upon good consideration this time. I was laughing when I read that “Mom, Dad has just spent $2,000 on models!”.
This issue is great as most of the others were and are. [8D]
I like the articles on ships as this is what I’;ve been building since the mid 1950s when I was a kid.
One of the things I’ve noticed since then is that the kits have gotten better but so too have my skills as a modeler. Some of these skills I’ve come by the hard way thru trial and error (probably more error than I would want to admit to). Som of these skills I’ve learned from the pages of Fine Scale Modeler to which I have subscribed off an on since it first came out.
I do have one complaint and it isn’t about this one specific issue or indeed any of the issues of the magazine. It’s one that has to do with the hobby of scale modelling in general. With all of the fine models that are shown in these pages, some people might get the idea that if you can’t produce models of this quality you should be a scale modeller. That is not true but it seems that there is some pressure put forth by the modelling press, modelling clubs and other organizations that can be seen as quite offputting. I am sure that no body means to give anyone this impression.
I came back to scale modelling after I had completed college, got married and begun my family. I came back to it (though I never really left) as a means for letting off steam and having fun too. I didn’t want ot to become a job and I am sure I am not alone in that. If I want more pressure I can work extra hours at my job or in my business and get the reqrd of a larger paycheck. I don’t want my hobby to become my job nor vice versa. I do this to have fun and if I don’t want to add photo-etch to my models, that’s my choice.
It really all boils down to this, if you like producing works of art, by all means do so. But if you’re only doing this to have fun, then one doesn’t have to feel pressured to produce contest winning models. So long as you’re satisfied, no one has the right to say you’re wrong or that you are wasting your time. In effect one has to decide whether he or she has a hobby, or if the hobby has you.
I must agree with Tankmaster7. Subscribers should get all the extra’s and then some. For the cost of a yearly subscription, we should get any and all inserts. I think the price for one year is kind of steep, considering it’s for 10 issues. I say FSM go to a full 12 month subscription year, and make sure the subscribers get the “bonus” material. I’m also annoyed when I see it on the stand a week before I get it in the mail. Tell me again what the advantage to subscribing is?
This is a bit off topic from the original idea behind the thread but I wanted to respond to a few of the delivery and extras related comments that are popping up here.
The booklets that are bagged with newsstand issue from time to time are the magazine industry equivalent to banking’s ‘open up a new account and get a toaster’ type of promotion. It’s certainly not meant as a slap to current customers, it’s simply a way of trying to entice potential customers to come and take a look. Subscribers do receive the benefits of saving $10 off the newsstand rate and having each issue delivered to their door.
As to when the issues arrive at your door versus the newsstand, subscriber copies are sent via second-class mail, which is our standard domestic delivery service. In accordance with US Postal Service standards we allow ten business or working days for delivery of each copy. Although second-class mail is highly reliable, delivery times can fluctuate within the postal system.
Subscriber copies are mailed up to one week in advance of the issues distributed at newsstands and hobby shops. Newsstand and hobby shop copies are boxed and shipped via expedited delivery services such as United Parcel Service. Depending on the dealer’s location, their expedited shipment may arrive before some subscribers have received their issues via the Postal Service. Dealers are also asked to not display issues until a prescribed On Sale Date, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
We realize that many people subscribe to ensure receipt of their magazine before the issue is for sale at the newsstand or hobby shop. We regret the frustration this situation causes our subscribers, but it is somewhat out of our control. First class delivery is available for an additional charge.
We greatly value our readers whether they are subscribers or newsstand buyers, but it is certainly our intention to have subscribers receive their copies first.
If you have persistant delivery problems or are interested in upgrading your subscription to first-class delivery, please contact Customer Sales and Service at 800-533-6644. Customers outside the U.S. and Canada may contact us at
414-796-8776, ext. 421, via fax at 414-796-1615.
Congratiulations on the great article on “Resin casting”. I believe that the best thing that we as modeler’s can pass alojng, or share with one another is llearning new techniques. The other articles are well written and photographed as needed, but the learning helps us beome better at what we love doing. Would like to see more technique articles on vacuum forming, seam filling and rescribing etc. etc. etc.
Michael Ellis,
In regards to the Airbrushing (?) guide included with newsstand issues, it has no relevance whatsoever that subsribers save a few dollars and have the issue delivered to our doors. If FSM includes some supplement in its newsstand issues, then FSM is telling its readers that the issue in question by definition includes said supplement. Now then: we subscribers, by paying our subscription fee, have entered into an agreement with FSM to have the issues delivered to our doors, whatever form the issues may take. If a particular issue includes a supplement, then that is the form that issue takes, and for which we subscribers have paid, and which we should have delivered to our doors, as with any other issue. As subscribers, we are exactly the customers whose loyalty you need to retain, and who should therefore receive the issues with all bells and whistles attached.
Brian Willard,
Physicist
Afraid I have to agree with those saying we, as subscribers, should be entitled to receive all the information/material published with any given issue. I’m in Canada, not near a store that carries FSM, so the timing issue isn’t a factor for me. I subscribe to the magazine because I want to read it and it does irritate me to know that I’m being short-changed in what I’m able to read because of my subscription. As somebody said, we as subscribers are the ones you should be trying to please the most because we buy EVERY issue. If we don’t subscribe, we may not buy any.
has to be the CBI mustang…[tup][tup][tup]
although it’s always difficult to, at best, to pick a favourite…(the reader gallery is always high on my list) in this particular instance, i can identify with with the CBI mustang and the beautiful results…
back in the early '90’s i attempted a rendering of a CBI aircraft for a friend…(with very very little reference material) and via this venture, prior to Accu. Min’s contributions, the only way to install a CBI “A” model mustang in my collection was to backdate the Monogram “B”…whewww…what a project…
and what to my awe…here…is featured a much more contemporary rendition…
too cool[bow]
oh…by the by…the wee airbrush thingy attachment mentioned…was absent from my subscription issue[:(]
Loved the article on resin casting, and have one tip. To make sure that the mold halves align correctly for a two part mold. Take your item to be cast and press it into the Kleen Klay. Take the eraser end of a pencil and make little craters in the Kleen Klay around your part. Pour your RTV silicone/rubber over the mold and when cured, remove only the Kleen Klay. Flip your mold over and you will see it has alignment ‘nubs’ sticking up. When you pour RTV over the mold now, each half will have alignment marks. This will make sure that the 2 halves don’t slip that much and you have funny off center seams on your parts.
This is off the topic again, but I wanted to respond to the question about the premium booklet included on single copies of the magazine. As Michael said previously, our intention with the booklets is to attract newcomers to the hobby. Much of the material included the premium booklets we create has already appeared in the regular issues of the magazine.
Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of the postal discounts we receive in mailing the copies to our subscribers, we are unable to polybag any items with the subscribers’ copies. Our first concern here is keeping the subscription price at a reasonable level for our customers.
That being said, our subscribers can still recieve the premium booklet. All you need to do is call our Customer Service department and they would be more than happy to send you one. Call 1-800-533-6644 Mon. through Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
Mrs. Runyon,
Thanks for posting the phone number. I appreciate that you guys have a balancing act in terms of cost. The premium booklets you produce are first-rate, so I shall call that number at once.
Brian