I just recieved my copy of Warbird Modelling, and was surprised to see that Kalmbach Publishing is calling another companys work a “special issue”. There is nothing special about publishing someone elses magazine under their cover.
This “specisl Issue” was published by Model Expert, word for word, months ago. I would have thought that Fine Scale Modeller could have come up with something original for a “special issue”!
I have never seen “Model Expert” ever. I am sure that Kalmbach has made some aggreement with “Model Expert” as opposed to doing a “rip off”. Kalmbach has way more class than that.
Besides, I am really enjoying the articles. They are all great except the Spitfire which is pretty lame. My Opinion of course.
Cheers
Bob S.
I think you can pretty much eliminate the ripoff theory-it’s called corporate theft, it’s a felony and the fine is usually big bucks. Kalmbach’s got too much integrity in the industry to steal someone else’s work for profit. Besides, as Bob mentioned, it’s pretty good work and I also enjoyed reading it.
Yeah, plagarism is kind of illegal. Probly published with permisson. I also have never heard of Model Expert, is it european or just one I missed?
BTW: I notice this is your first post, welcome to the forums.
I thougt it a bit of a ripoff just on content,or rather the lack of. Only 8 articles and all in 1/48 scale. I expected it to contain mostly 1/48, as that seems to be the trend in most model mags these days, but not the whole thing. What about us poor under-served 1/72 freaks. We need our cravings sated too. And what about the poor, blind modellers who build in 1/32 or those huge 1/24 giants. Don’t we count.
Somebody wasn’t paying attention. Sorry sir, but you failed Reading 101. FSM not only said in their ads for the “Warbird Modeling” special issue that it was “produced with partnership with MODEL EXPERT magazine, Athens, Greece” my issue says it on the first page. Which gives them the right to publish it word for word if they want. They have given credit were credit is due. And I’ll bet they paid for it too. I think somebody got ticked off because they paid twice for the same thing. Oh, and most of us in the states can’t get Model Expert, at least I can’t in Michigan (that I know of).
Therriman, you beat me to the punch! The fact that this was going to be a joint venture was old news; if you read the ads, that is.
I don’t agree with what FSM did, as far as using content from Model Expert, even though I really like the rag as they published it. But it’s their right to do what they want, and this includes reprinting another rag’s content; as long as they have permission to do it.
Fade to Black…
I realize many of you are not familiar with Model Expert. It is a publication from Greece, and is available through Squdron Mail Order.
The only advertisement I read for Warbird Modeling was the cover of the April, 2003 issue. I didn’t read the fine print on the picture of the cover of the special issue where it stsates that it was from Model Expert. Maybe I should have.
If FineScale Modeler issues the second volume of Model Expert, topics will include the Tamiya Lancaster, Hasegawa F-104, Ju 87 Stuka, Arii/Otaki Fw 190, Trimaster Fw190 D9, and academiy PBY Catalina.
The fact that i paid twice for the same magazine is not what ticked me off. While I realize that Kalmbach wouldnt stoop to plagerism, or corporate theft, the fact still remains that a magazine that I have faithfully purchsed since 1987 couldn’t at least have something original for a special issue. Thats all I was trying to get across.
That’s the only aspect of this special ish that gets me too, there’s so many talented builders out there across the US, Canada and the rest of the world that it almost seems to me that FSM got lazy here.
Either that or they’re having trouble getting content for the magazine; actually they were, at one point, hurting for material. (When you get a call from the editor almost pleading for an article, you know they’re hurtin’. [:p]) But that was 2-3 years back and I dunno what the situation is now. All I know is that ever since the recent change of editor a pal of mine who’s had several pieces in the rag has been, shall we say, shunned? That’s not exactly the right word, but it’ll do.
Model Expert is carried semi-locally here, but I prefer some of the other foreign rags that are out there, especially Wing Masters (French) and Model Wings (Italian).
With the exception of that absolutely hideous Avenger I really like this latest special ish of FSM, but I do not like the possible oncoming trend that it seems to represent.
(First saw that Avenger in either Model Expert or another rag a few years back and almost lost my lunch! It’s a nice piece of artwork, but way too ugly a model for me.[xx(])
Fade to Black…
Hi folks, and thanks for your comments on Warbird Modeling.
I’m pleased to learn that even those of you who have taken exception to our publishing this special issue in cooperation with Model Expert, still find the content to be worthwhile. That was our objective.
And the respondents are correct that we did not rip of f another publisher. The special issue was published in full cooperation with Model Expert. And of course we paid for it.
Indeed we saw this as an opportunity to bring in some work that a lot of modelers don’t get a chance to see; there are some great modelers around the world. Model Expert’s book version has been available here, but only as a $20 book that saw very limited distribution.
In fact, I’m intrigued with the idea of further cooperative arrangements with foreign publishers. Call me lazy (but don’t tell our staff – it was actually a lot of work to prepare this U.S. version), but I like the idea of seeing work from around the world. What do you think?
I for one would love to see some work from around the world. Something from Japan maybe. There is some beautiful work from modellers over there.
Hi Mark
Yes, there is a lot more modelling than what happens in the States. I am enjoying the Special Issue especially that B-17. I see in one of the posts above that there is a second volume. Will FSM print that issue too. I would definitely want it too.
It is nice to see you here on the Forum and not using one of those goofy names that seems to be in vogue here.
Cheers
Bob S.
Cheers
Mark, keep doing what your doing and I’ll keep buying. Like I said in my earlier post. I can’t get the original, so your “special issue” will do just fine. Thank you
Still checking out Warbird Modeling and think it’s pretty good. Having never heard of Model Expert and not being able to get it, I appreciate the effort FSM has put into making it available. It is good to get to see some of the work done by other modelers around the world. I know some are carried in FSM, but since the only modeling books I get are Fine Scale Modeling and their Special Issues, the more the merrier.
Bob, I know Zookeeper must seem like one of those “goofy names”, but after 13 years of driving a school bus where it was my CB handle, and some days a job description also, it just comes natural to use it here too.
Rick
I thought is was cool. The weathering on that B-17 kicks!!!