FineScale Modeler

FineScale Modeler teaches you to build models of aircraft, armor, ships and more. Clear articles show you how to assemble, paint, and finish the latest model kits. Every issue includes unbiased reviews of kits that were built and tested for accuracy, product announcements, tips from the experts, and a gallery of readers’ models.

Something for everyone, even plane lovers

Off the sprue: Name your favorite ‘Stones’ song? • I knew I shouldn’t have joked about The Carpenters in my email on this one!

Q&A

Now at www.FineScale.com

SCALE TALK • Your voice in FSM

Reader tips

NEW PRODUCTS

Shades of field gray • Two attempts produce one striking German bust

How to dazzle an attack transport • Painting a vintage kit as a veteran remembers his ship

U.S. Navy aircraft identification markings a history • Part 2 of 4: World War II — As color disappears, changes come quickly

Building CURTISS’ BEAST • Academy’s 1/72 scale Helldiver is good straight from the box

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Scratchbuilding a war trawler • Angling for a different subject nets a winning model

Stretching a Super Hercules • Extending the fuselage for an Australian C-130J-30

Keeping a Cromwell on track • Add drama to a small tank scene

Building a QUEEN OF THE SKIES • Improving Lindberg’s 1/245 scale Graf Zeppelin

Graf Zeppelin: A most-successful airship

READER GALLERY

Smooth landing for Hasegawa’s F-35B

Zvezda SU-100

Special Hobby McDonnell FH-1 Phantom

Dora Wings Gee Bee R1

Dora Wings Percival Vega Gull

Takom Bergepanther Ausf A

One man’s journey • Sometimes a build becomes something more, something special beyond all the PE, electronics, and such that goes into a project. That’s what happened to retired Army helicopter pilot Lt. Col. Charles M. Schlom once he finished a dynamic diorama. Here’s his tale.