I am sucker for old kits. While I don’t collect vintage kits, I certainly relish every new special release from Revell. I was very happy to see that the Nike Missile got the green light for a re-release. The missile depicted in this kit is, in fact, the Nike Ajax. First fielded in 1954, it was a two-stage, supersonic anti-aircraft missile with a range of 25-30 miles and a ceiling of 65,000 ft. It remained in service until 1964 in the continental US and was superseded by the Nike Hercules, a much more robust and capable missile.

Once, I heard that a “modeler can only be as good as his tools”. While I think some modelers can be better than their tools, I know that in my case my tools are the best I can get, which is why I try to get the best tools I can.

This arrow-head shaped tool is extremely handy to create “hand grabs” (for an armor vehicle, an aircraft canopy, or maybe a ship ladder) which will all have the same size and dimension. This tool might find uses in trains and maybe for hydraulic lines in an aircraft, or for internal wiring inside an AFV or a car.

The tool has 28 pre-set lengths, or notches, so you only need to choose which one to use and then simply bend the piece of wire or photo etch to the length you need.

Simply brilliant design. Every single handle will have the same size.

I would recommend this tool for modelers who work with photo etch or scratchbuild parts.

I want to thank UMM-USA and IPMS/USA for the review sample.

The August issue starts off with "Model Art New Item Special Information". They cover a multitude of new kits that have just hit the market or are getting ready to. Some of the kits mentioned are the Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1, Wingnut Wings 1/32 AEG G.IV, Wolfpack 1/48 T-38A, Meng 1/35 T-90A, and Takoma 1/16 Renault FT.

The feature article focuses on IJA aircraft and different techniques that can be used to replicate realism in your models. This article consists of forty pages. A few of the techniques shown are replicating fabric covering, chipped paint, and oil leaks. Of note is one reference picture of wing tip lenses. There is some debate on whether the lenses are green or blue. This is a color photograph and the lens is blue.

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

This month’s issue is geared toward the Formula 1 fans, but the issue starts off with a report from the 2013 Shizuoka Hobby Show. This is covered in four pages packed with color photographs. Some models of note – Tamiya’s 1/32nd F4U-1 and Minicraft’s 1/72nd PBM-5/5A are just a few of the examples.

The Formula 1 article is covered in over fifty one pages. The largest focus of the article is on the John Player Special cars. They use models of these cars along with tips on building them, captured in black and white and color photos. Along with models, there are photos of the actual cars in color and black and white photographs.

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. The magazines’ striking feature is the high quality of the photographs showing the models used.

This issue has two feature articles instead of just one, as normal. The first article covers the Pz.Kpfw. IV. They use models of an Ausf. D by Tamiya, Ausf. F2(G) by Dragon, Ausf. H early by Tamiya, and an Ausf. J late production. These are all 1/35th scale. Within the article, they go over how to improve these models, along with a breakdown of German gray between three different paint manufacturers (Mr. Color, Tamiya enamels, and Vallejo). The last part of the article consists of photos of a Pz. IV Ausf. J. in a museum, along with line drawings of some of the differences between versions.