The April issue of SAM features some inspiring work, as well as provides some significant reference material. A regular contributor to SAM, Pete Mossong, along with fellow contributors Dave Wilson and Damon Edwards, provides an “Aviation in Profile” article covering the BAC 167 Strikemaster in RNZAF service. Filled with color images of the BAC 167 and supplemented with scale drawings and data, this 10-page article provides excellent reference material to the modeler wishing to build a Strikemaster.

Featured in this issue are articles by Ioannis Giavasis and Massimo Santarossa. Giavasis tackles a classic Airfix kit, the Saab Viggen in 1/48th scale, while Santarossa builds the Great Wall P-61A, the second variant of the Black Widow by Great Wall. Both are fantastic builds and provide much in the way of detailed imaging that will greatly aid anyone building these models.

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One attractive feature of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

In this month’s issue, the feature article covers dealing with aftermarket parts (resin and photo etch), and then they show the application to actual models. They cover everything from removing PE from the fret, bending PE, and cleaning resin. This article covers approximately the first quarter of the magazine.

The next article is the continuing series on building a JASDF T-28B. This month they cover the wings and landing gear.

The April new kit review covers the following kits: GWH 1/48 Mig-29 Late type 9.12, Kinetic 1/48 T-45 A/C “Goshawk”, Pit Road 1/35 Crossley Armored Car Model 25, Tamiya 1/35 M109A6 “Paladin”, and Fujimi 1/700 Aircraft carrier Cruiser Mogami.

Ultracast’s line of miniature figures now includes a 1/48 scale Russian fighter pilot in the flight gear typical of the early years of WWII. He obviously is attired for summertime service, decked out in a smart-looking lightweight khaki tunic with decorative embroidery, and blue dress trousers tucked into non-insulated leather boots. He also appears to be ready to climb into the cockpit because he is wearing his helmet, goggles, and parachute. The original figure was sculpted by Mike Good. It is a nicely proportioned figure with extremely fine detail and very realistic facial features.