FineScale Modeler January/February 2022

This issue marks the beginning of our year-long celebration of FineScale Modeler’s 40th year in publication. Let’s talk about the bash we are throwing for the milestone, including special issues planned for the entire year. Obviously, the one you hold in your hands, with Jeff Pollizzotto’s awe-inspiring Star Wars diorama on the cover, is a sci-fi spectacular. Others in the works will focus on weathering, aircraft, dioramas, detailing, and painting. We also plan to kick off what we hope will become an annual tradition with National Build a Model Month in November 2022. We invite everyone to make great models and share their love of the hobby. Look for more information about special events and how you can participate in upcoming issues of FSM and at FineScale.com. I know from talking to readers…

Kit price discrepancy Q One question that I have not seen addressed is why some kits from the same company, of the same subject, cost a whole lot more than other kits. For example, Eduard has a Spitfire in 1/48 that comes in a $40 version and a $100 version. So, what’s the deal with that? Just curious. – Mike SackmaryAustin, Texas A Eduard packages most of its kits in optional boxes with different levels of addons included. To follow your example of the Spitfire, the company’s offerings peak at the deluxe kits, which usually include two complete kits with all the photo-etched metal (PE) and possibly Brassin and resin parts, as well as an extensive marking selection. These cost $100 or more. In the middle are the ProfiPack kits with plastic parts…

Bernard Fisher reflections I enjoyed the article in the November/December 2021 FSM about Maj. Bernard Fisher’s aircraft (“Re-dress a famous Skyraider”). I had the privilege of serving with him in the 526th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from 1967-68. As an enlisted man, I was lucky to be on the same squadron ski team during a competition for the 86th Air Division held in Kirchdorf, Austria. He was a gentleman through and through and insisted on us calling him Bernie — no formalities at all for a solid week. I also under-stand his son also served in the Air Force as a pilot. – Michael MegeeSurprise, Ariz. Ed.: Thanks for sharing your memories, Michael. Looking for Skyraider parts I recently purchased a copy of the November/December 2021 FSM primarily because it had…

All of like us to surround our work-bench with photos and prints of our favroite subjects. So, what could be better than a single, unchanging image? How about one that changes every month and can be used to keep track of the important things in life. That’s what you get with the 2022 calendars from KalmbachHobbyStore.com. Flying Legends ($17.99) features stunning airto-air photos of legendary World War II aircraft restored and flying on the Warbird circuit. Plus, there’s plenty of room on the 17-x 12-inch pages to keep track of important events such as club meetings and shows. If cars are your thing, you need American Muscle Cars ($15.99); as the name implies, it brims with powerful cars from Chevy, Dodge, Buick, AMC, and more.…

AIRCRAFT 1/72 SCALE F-8E Crusader from Italeri, No. 1456, $34.99. SAM-2 Missile with Launcher from HobbyBoss, No. 82933, $39.99. ARMOR 1/35 SCALE German Panzer II Ausf F “North Africa” from Academy, No. 13535w, $44. G7117 1½ 4×4 Cargo Truck with winch from MiniArt, No. 35389, $TBA. Repairing of PzKpfw IV Ausf H Big Set from MiniArt, No. 36063, $TBA. 1/72 SCALE Russian BM-21 Grad multiple rocket laucher from HobbyBoss, No. 82931, $26.99. AUTO 1/25 SCALE ’63 Chevy II Station Wagon customizing 3 in1 kit from AMT, No. AMT1201, $37.99. 1970 Pontiac GTO Super Stocker from MPC, No. MPC939M, $34.99. 2017 Chevy Camaro 50th Anniversary from AMT, No. AMT1035M, $30.99. SCIENCE FICTION 1/350 SCALE Star Trek TOS U.S.S. Enterprise with pilot edition parts from Polar Lights, No. POL993M, $164.99. FIGURES 1/32 SCALE F-104 Starfighter pilot from Plus Model, No. AL3007, $22.51. 1/35 SCALE Soviet officers at field briefing from MiniArt, No. 35365, $TBA. Royal Engineers…

Star Wars possibly contains the most iconic spaceships of any science-fiction franchise in history. From the X-wing fighter to the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer, and everything in between, even people who aren’t Star Wars fans recognize the ships. One of the easiest silhouettes to identify is the ubiquitous, eminently disposable TIE fighter. Dubbed “brutalist terror-balls” by author Chuck Wendig, TIE fighters scream through space and swarm Rebel ships, dying as often as dealing death. We’ve seen many iterations of the TIE fighter. However, I thought the Mining Guild TIE unique ever since it appeared in the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels. With notched solar-collector wings and bright yellow paint, the TIE fighter/mg (its official designation), catches the eye and holds it. I also wanted to add the sensor arrays that…