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

In the February issue, it seems that the Model Art staff has changed their format slightly from previous issues. The reason that I say this is that the issue starts off with a couple of short articles before you get to the table of contents. These articles consist of a new item special section which shows several new release kits that are on the way to the shelves. You then have the Tamiya 1/20th scale Redbull Racing Renault RB6, followed by an article on the JMSDF Hyuga-class Helicopter Destroyer by Fujimi in 1/350th scale. The last of these articles is about the folks from Planes of Fame in Chino, Ca. It seems that Steve Hinton and those folks take a Zero over to Japan every few years and show it off. This is a completely restored Zero that is in flying condition, right down to the original engine.

The bulk of this issue deals with the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Model Art uses a good mix of color and b&w photos to show these vessels. They also use a multitude of well built models to represent this modernized fleet.

In this issue, they start a new “Modeling the JASDF” project. This is a step-by-step build project that will span many issues before it is complete. The model that is being built is a 1/48th T-28B. As with almost all aircraft models, they start with the cockpit. There are pictures of the model and reference shots of the real aircraft.

You then have a preview of Auto Modeling Vol. 28 that will be out soon, along with a diorama of three Japanese Coast Guard boats intercepting a smaller vessel in 1/700th scale.

Next is the new kit review. This month’s kit are Kitty Hawk’s 1/48th F-35B, Aoshima’s 1/700th IJN seaplane carrier Chitose, Special Hobby’s 1/72nd Supermarine Seafire Mk. 46, Hasegawa’s 1/12th Yamaha YZR500 (OW98) 1988 WGP500 Champion, and Tamiya’s 1/72nd Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero Fighter (Zeke).

This month in Neo Historic Garage is Hasegawa’s 1991 Honda Civic SiR-II.

As in all other issues of Model Art, you then have a new products section that includes models and aftermarket accessories and advertisements.

Even though the majority of the print is in Japanese, I still find this magazine a wealth of modeling information due to the great photography.

I would like to thank Model Art Magazine and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this product.