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.
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