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Book Review
MODELx Magazine, Volume 1
The World Of Scale Modeling
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by: Mark R. Smith [ GUNNY ]

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MODELx magazine is a new, bi-monthly magazine, whose staff consists of all likes of folk, who are all modelers themselves...this new magazine is very different in many ways, and promises a three fold goal in each issue; to entertain with great content, to educate with the latest tips and techniques in the hobby, and to inspire the reader to achieve results as shown in it's pages.

The magazine arrived via first class mail shipped in a heavy protective envelope. Upon opening the envelope and pulling out the mag, I was quite impressed at the initial quality of the product. The magazine is not put together like a magazine, but more like a high quality soft cover publication, more-so a modeling manual. The cover is of heavy weight index paper, with bound heavy-weight, glossy pages, not stapled ala magazine style...so in essence, yes, this is a magazine, but it looks, feels, and reads more like a book.

The format measures in at 8 1/4" x 11 3/4", with a total of 96 pages in the first volume. On the front cover, seven seperate thumbnail shots of each of the seven features inside, in brilliant, full color photography. The back cover, one of five (yes, only five) advertising pages that you will find in this magazine. The features are set up in step-by-step format, photos and supporting text done up masterfully by each author.

Each build feature begins with a complete breakdown, listing the kit(s) used, paints required, weathering and finishing supplies needed, theater of build, and lastly, skill level of the subject build, which I will add, in this issue, ranges from OOB construction with intermediate painting skills, to advanced construction techniques and finishing.

Contents. . .


This issue is set up into five seperate sections, Aircraft, Armor, Figure, Naval, and Sci-Fi, respectively, along with three seperate unique departments. The Feature content listing and breakdown is as follows:

Aircraft

Jay Laverty's 1/32 scale Fisher Sea Fury

Advanced building and weathering techniques combined with a state-of-the-art resin kit equals an excellent SBS build of this variant.

Mike Kirchoff's 1/48 scale Fw-190D-9

Combining Tamiya Models Focke Wulf 190D-9 kit and a bit of scratchbuilding, Mike shows us a fabulous rendering of this variant, in SBS style.


Armor

Marcel Jurssen's 1/35 scale T-64B

Marcel converts Skif's T-64B using the MiniArm conversion set, producing a marvelous modern Russian subject.

Mike Rinaldi's 1/35 scale StuG III Ausf B

MODELx's own Mike Rinaldi shows and demonstrates a complete weathering winter camouflage of a stunning StuG.


Figure

Tim Sloan's 1/12 Countess Karnstein

Tim gives us a step-by-step on painting skin tones and facial features of this vampire vixen subject.


Naval

Jeff Herne's 1/72 scale PT-596

Jeff Herne (Modelx Editor) takes Italeri Models Elco, combined with commentary and drawings from Dr. Al Ross, noted PT-boat authority, and puts together a fantastic PT subject.

Pat Stansell's PT-596 crew

Here is a great photo/text SBS of combining 1/35 body parts to make the 10-man crew for the PT-596 project above.


Sci-Fi

Jay Laverty's Republic Star Destroyer

Love Sci-Fi? Well here is a detailed SBS build of a spectacular rendition of Star Wars' galactic battleship.


X-tras. . .


Also of note, is the "Departments" of the magazine, quite creatively named "X-Factor", and "Modelx-tra". The "X-Factor" departments are photo walkarounds, for reference purposes, all pertaining to the subjects that are represented in each issue.

This month we have two "X-Factor" departments, the first, of a Hawker Sea Fury FBII, with four full pages of top-notch color photography by Jamie Haggo. A very valuable photo reference, indeed. Following the Sea Fury walk-around, we have two full pages of full color, side profiles, with six seperate variants shown.

Moving on to the next "X-Factor", we have four full pages of fantastic archive shots of the StuG III, with many close-up action shots, showing many possible diorama ideas. These departments will prove to be a valuable point of reference for other projects as well, not just the ones in this issue.

The MODELx-tra in this issue is part two coverage of EURO Militaire 2006 (Part one in the MODELx pilot issue) containing eight pages of superb color photo's of some of the finest AFV and figure subjects that were displayed at the competition.


MODELx Pilot issue...


The pilot issue of MODELx is available as a free download from the publishers, and will demonstrate the type and quality of material that you will find in this volume, as well. You can access the download page by clicking HERE and follow the simple downloading instructions.

Subscription information is available as well at the official company website, as well as other information about the magazine.
SUMMARY
Highs: Quality in all aspects-large format, superb photograpy, interesting build subjects, by modelers for modelers, all in one package.
Lows: None with this issue...the only low that I experienced was finishing the magazine!
Verdict: Overall, MODELx Vol 1 didn't disappoint in any area whatsoever. All around quality AND value is present throughout, with dynamite build stories...you need this magazine
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: Volume 1
  Suggested Retail: $7.95
  Related Link: Official Company Website
  PUBLISHED: Sep 23, 2007
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.23%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.00%

Our Thanks to MODELx!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Mark R. Smith (Gunny)
FROM: PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES

I have been building models of all sorts all of my life, concentrating mainly on the coolest one's when I was younger, but now I focus directly on all military subjects, from armor to warships. After years of counting rivets, I put away the calipers, dial indicators, and micrometers and now just ha...

Copyright ©2021 text by Mark R. Smith [ GUNNY ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Model Shipwrights. All rights reserved.



Comments

Looks like a very good magazine. The most important thing is having something for everybody, Planes, Armor, Ships, Figures, even Sci Fi. I haven't downloaded it yet but I plan to. Thanks for pointing this one out.
SEP 23, 2007 - 09:54 AM
I have been a subscriber since they first announced the magazine and boy let me tell you... You will not be disappointed!!! The magazine has excellent articles better suited to the new modeler demographic (us middle aged guys with good modeling skils and lots of play money... heh heh ). The photography is excellent and is printed on high quality paper. I had the opportunity to meet Jeff Herne (the head honcho of ModelX) at the Nationals in L.A., and I must say, he's a really great guy and is an active member of the modeling community. And he really knows how to do a magazine!
JAN 24, 2008 - 01:52 PM
The magazine looks good. It's often said that the internet has made mags a thing of the past, but I for one still buy them. I enjoy taking the time to read them and to study and learn from the detailed photographs at my leisure. thanks Mark for posting, Frank
JAN 24, 2008 - 03:57 PM
Issue 2 was delayed by some printer issues, but it is already shipping to subscribers. The lineup for Issue 2 includes: Curtis Knight's scratchbuilt 1/72 Etrich Taube Lynn Ritger's Adversary Series - P-47 vs. Bf 109 Michael Rinaldi's Panther G Mike Kirchoff's M4A3E8 Sherman "Thunderbolt" Jaume Ortiz' 79th Seaforth Highlander figure Rusty Whites U.S.S. Cairo Jeff Herne's T.I.E Interceptor IPMS/USA Nationals Auto coverage X-factor Armor - Panzer IV Ausf D X-factor Air - North American P-51D Mustang Tech Talk - Weathering Friulmodel track links The lineup for issue three, due out in late March, includes: Chris Sherland's 1/32 P-47D Thunderbolt. Chris gives the treatment to Hasegawa's new Thunderbolt. Michael Rinaldi's 1/32 Macchi 200 Seatta. Pacific Coast Model's Italian fighter is the focus of Michael's attention. Ray Peterson's 1/16 KV-1E. When 1/35 scale isn't big enough, Ray decides to attack a large-scale version of the WW2 Russian heavy tank. Jeff Herne's 1/6 Jagdpanzer IV L/70. The editor finally proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he has more storage space than common sense! Check out the details on Battle Ready Armor's metal monster. Masterpiece Models' 1:1 Mars Rover. It's not exactly a kit, but Masterpiece Models replica of the Mars Rover is a spectacular representation of one of NASA's most successful projects. Anders Heintz presents Sculpting Ivan. Ever wonder how resin figures are created? Renowned sculptor Anders Heintz takes through the step-by-step process of sculpting a figure from scratch. Jeff Herne's 1/700 U.S.S Brooklyn. From one extreme to the other, the editor goes from huge metal tanks to small resin warships. Niko Models U.S.S. Nashville is the subject of this 1/700 warship project. X-factor Air - Republic P-47D Thunderbolts from EAA Airventure ModelX-tra - EuroMilitaire 2007 I'll have the Issue 4 lineup finalized in a few weeks. Regards, Jeff Herne Editor, MODELx
JAN 30, 2008 - 05:17 AM
Thanks for stopping by J, and giving us the full poop on the up and coming, bro...looking forward to the future!
JAN 30, 2008 - 06:57 AM
Hey Jeff, Just so you know, I'm pushing my local hobby shop to carry more, but at this point they seem content to pick up just a couple and let them fly off the shelves....
JAN 31, 2008 - 05:30 AM
   
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