Model Art Issue 934 is typical of other Model Art magazines in that it is written entirely in Japanese, with occasional English words, usually in article titles or in captions. The Model Art magazine is a monthly issue that has evolved from their first issues in 1966 that focuses on all modeling subjects. I’ve attempted to capture the contents below, but please be aware of translation difficulties. There are about 40 pages of advertising, out of the 160 pages, showing what is available and new, always useful for building up that wish list. Nearly all the articles are supported with color photos. A few of the ongoing series are supported with black and white drawings and photos

I would have to say my favorite series is the IJN / IJA Airplane Illustrated that highlights aircraft details in color scrap drawings (Page 108) to emphasize what can be barely seen in original black and white photographs. That’s not to belittle the amazing work presented in this issues Special Feature on IJN Attack Bombers and New Kit Reviews. The article comparing the 1/72 Airfix and Hasegawa kits of the Nakajima B5N2 Kate emphasize the improvement in model detail over the last forty years. Although this issue is predominately aviation related, they do delve into other modeling areas with articles on buildings, figures, armor, naval, sci-fi, and automotive subjects.

Contents

• 2016: The Year in Modeling – A Three Way Conversation
• Dragon 1/700 USS Chicago CG-11 (Page 9)
• Masahiro Doi Presents Figures on Tanks!
• Model Art R&D 1/27 R/C Mini-Z Racer Sports
• Basic Consideration Vol 6 – Zero Fighter Painting
• Special Feature: Carrier Attack Bomber in the Imperial Japanese Navy
  • Airfix 1/72 Nakajima B5N2 Kate Build Review (Page 25)
  • Nakajima B5N Kit Comparison: Airfix vs Hasegawa
  • Hasegawa 1/72 B5N2 Kate Build Review
  • The History of Carrier Attack Aircraft
  • Hasegawa 1/48 Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan Build Review
  • Hasegawa 1/48 Aichi B7A2 Ryusei Kai Build Review

• Wave 1/200 IJN Mikasa Battleship Build Review (Page 47)
• Made In Japan 1945 -2015 Volume 11
  • Wave 1/200 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
• Follow Your Heart Volume 25
• Mission LED Volume 3
• New Kits in Plastic
• New Kit Review
  • Freedom 1/48 Northrop F-20A Tigershark Build Review (Page 81)
  • Kinetic 1/48 AMX-T Build Review
  • Trumpeter 1/72 Sukhoi Su-24MR Fencer-E Build Review
  • Fine Molds 1/35 IJA Type 95 Ha-Go Build Review (Page 95)
  • Fine Molds 1/72 IJA 150t Super Heavy Tank 0-I Build Review
  • Aoshima 1/24 Chevrolet Cruze 2012 WTCC World Champion Build Review (Page 105)
  • Reader’s Gallery
  • IJA / IJN Airplane Illustrated Volume 129 (Page 108)
  • Moebius 1/72 Interstellar Ranger Trans-Galactic Survey Craft
  • Neo Historic Garage Volume 341: Tamiya 1/24 1989 Nissan Skyline DT-R Build Review
• Book Reviews

I find the Model Art magazines useful, even though I don’t read Japanese. The pictures of the built up models, articles showing the build process, painting features, and historical photography all provide useful information. Model Art magazines are available from Dragon Models USA’s many retailers and from various overseas retailers, such as Hobby Link Japan, Hobby Search 1999 Models, and Lucky Model.

My thanks to Model Art and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!