Model Art Issue 950 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

This issue features a discussion of the paint used on the Mitsubishi Zero with build reviews of the Hasegawa 1/32 A6M5 kits. The first half of this feature focuses on color matching against FS numbers, QpCard, and IJN codes. The second half focuses on build reviews supported with actual photographs and highlights of detail improvements to the kits. New Kit Reviews are always well done, but the weathering on the new Trumpeter KV-5 Soviet super heavy tank really caught my attention. I would have to say my favorite series is the IJN / IJA Airplane Illustrated that highlights aircraft details in color scrap drawings (Page 112) to emphasize what can be barely seen in original black and white photographs.

Contents

• USS Minneapolis CA-36 1/700 Pit-Road by Geisuian-Yasohachi [Page 9]
• Welcome to Diorama Modeling World – Mission No. 4
• Special Feature: Mitsubishi Zero Basic Painting Considerations
  • Japanese Navy Warplanes Paint Colors [Page 20]
  • Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M5c build by Isami Akiyama [Page 32]
  • Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M5c Hei build by Mitsuhiro Fubuki
  • Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M4 Conversion build by Yutaka Nagasaka [Page 45]
  • Hasegawa 1/32 Mitsubishi A6M5c Hei Kit Preview
• Idea 1/18 Rocket Bunny Pandem 240Z
• Malausia Scale Hobby Show 2016
• I Love Chippy Ho! – Academy 1/32 F/A-18C built by Andrew Chan
• MA Event Report
• Modeling the JASDF – Aoshima 1/144 US-2 by Isami Akiyanna [Page 55]
• 2016 Modeler’s Contest
• Maritime Self-Defense Force – DDH-183 (pictorial) [Page 76]
• New Kit Review
  • Aoshima 1/700 HMS Hermes Build [Page 81]
  • Great Wall Hobby 1/48 Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star Build [Page 89]
  • Zvesda 1/72 MiG-29 Build
  • Tamiya 1/35 M10 Build [Page 96]
  • Trumpeter 1/35 KV-5 Soviet Super Heavy Tank Build [Page 100]
  • Meng 1/35 Japanese Army FT-17 Light Tank Build
• Neo Historic Garage: Aoshima Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno FT-APEX ‘85 Build [Page 109]
• IJA / IJN Airplane Illustrated Volume 137 [Page 112]
• Mission LED Volume 11
• Modelart.R&D: RC
• 56^th All Japan Model Show
• New in Plastic [Page 120]
• Book Reviews
• Reader’s Club

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!