Magazine review: Scale Aircraft Modelling Vol. 31 #7

I’ve managed to pick up the latest issue of SAM, at least the latest available to me thru Barnes & Noble.  The new format seems to have settled down.  There are few typos and a better layout to the articles.  As seems to be the trend with modeling magazines, there are more photos and less text to the articles.

For the 72nd scale modeler, this issue has as its feature a build of the Xtrakit Supermarine Scimitar and an accompanying historical article with color sideview illustrations.  I had not realized how few of these aircraft were actually built.  76.  Althought I hadn’t thought about it before, this is really an attractive aircraft.  it is a shame it didn’t have a more sueful service life.

There is also a build/review of the Tamiya Beaufighter and the Italeri reissue of the A-6, both in 72nd scale.  It is a good issue, but at $12 for the news stand price I have to wonder how long it will continue to be viable.

Magazine review: IPMS Journal Vol.21 #5

The latest IPMS Journal brings more interesting articles to the IPMS/USA member.  In fact, one of the articles, the one on the AM-1Q Mauler began its life as a blog post on Jim Bates’ blog.  A version of that post appeared in Tactical Notes, the newsletter of MMCL.  From there it was picked up by Chris B., the editor of the Journal.  My only disappointment is that the original source wasn’t credited in the article, as is the polite practice.

In addition to the AM-1 article there is a very nice article on a 24th scale 240Z and a little history article on the crash site of an Argentinian A-4 in the Falklands.  I know I keep saying this, but clearly an IPMS/USA membership is the best value for the money in the modeling hobby today, just for the magazine alone.  The next issue is the National’s issue.  Can’t wait.

This can’t be good

This story has got to worry a lot of folks.  Russians practicing war games with Poland as the simulated enemy on the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Poland by the Russians in WWII?  If I am the Poles, I am on the eastern border digging the biggest anti-tank ditch you’ve ever seen!

Cincinnati show

On Halloween I attended to model show put on by the Cincinnati chapter of IPMS.  The  unusual date, on Halloween, was necessitated by the venue pulling Cinci’s original date (Oct. 24) at the last minute.  Don Flynn and company did an excellent job of last minute rescheduling.  I was worried that the date change and the bad economy would cause a problem.  Turns out there was nothing to worry about.

I got to exhange some beers with Ohio attorney Jim Bates.  I also vended and got to talk with a bunch of folks.  Great time.

Now for the photos.

JSII by Jack Bruno

JS II by Jack Bruno

Don Flynn’s Me-109

Me-109 by Don Flynn

Mark Cable’s MD-80

MD-80 by Mark Cable

The show was a great success.  Don reports a large number of entrants and a very large number of  walk-in.  A vigorous Make and Take program was held and it was very popular.  The Cinci show has really grown and it is one of the must attend shows in region 4.  See you there next year.

Magazine review: Small Air Forces Observer Vol. 33 #2

The latest isssue of the Small Air Forces Observer (SAFO) is out.  As usual it is filled with quality information.  While the production value is not up to current standards, what the magazine lacks in color, it makes up for in information.

In this issue are articles of H-21 helicopters in the Congo, H04S in Royal Canadian Navy service and a listing and brief history of Brewster Buffalo pilots in east asia who went on to achieve ace or near ace status.

Also, as always there are reviews of books and decals recently released and a review of magazine articles of interest to the small air force enthusiast.

In sum, another good issue.

More government as nanny

If you thought this post was over the top with government acting as nanny to its subjects (no longer citizens), then you haven’t read anything.  Here is another story, also out of England, that will simply have you shaking your head in disbelief.  Thank God this is happening in the UK, not the US.  However, I am inclined to believe that it won’t be long till it happens over here.

A great idea

This is a great idea, if you ask me.  I’ll be getting one for my little one.

Movie review: The Dawn Express (1942)

You do indeed get what you pay for, as I noted here.  This is the second movie from the DVD of 20 war movies.  It was almost as bad as the first.  The plot.  German spies are out to steal Formula 311 from an American chemical company.  I thought Formula 311 was the precurser to Formula 409, and the ever picky Germans wanted to make sure their army was clean.  However, this was not the case.  Formula 311 improved the efficency of gasoline.  The German spy ring targets two scientist here in the US offering one money and threatening the other’s wife and mother.  Damn Germans. 

Apparently we have the dumbest scientists in the world, because one of the two hero scientists gets on an American Airlines DC-3 in California with the bad guys and instead of just turning in the bad guys when they land decides to blow himself up to blow the airplane and all the spies.  You just don’t have any idea of how dumb this ending is.

You get a few minutes of stock footage of an American Airlines DC-3.  Other than that this film has nothing to recommend it.  It is even made from a bad print of the movie and I wish I could say this affected my opinion of the movie.  Sadly, it didn’t.

BTW, I have no idea why the movie is called “The Dawn Express”.

Castle

UPDATE 10/31/09:  Here is the clip.

I am a big fan of actor Nathan Fillion.  He portrayed one of the best charcters in TV and film when he played Mal Reynolds in Firefly and its movie follow on, Serenity.  His new show Castle, on ABC, has him protraying a mystery writer named Richard Castle.  If you haven’t been watching this one, now is the time.  It is smart, clever, and co-stars the beautiful Stana Katic.  (Point of interest, both Fillion and Katic are Canadian by birth.)

In the most recent episode, the Halloween episode, the writers gave a cute wink and nudge to their audience.  The show opens with Castle trying on a costume for his upcoming Halloween party.  It is his old costume as Mal Reynolds from Firefly.  As he comes out, the first few notes of the Firefly theme are played.  They go one step further with this dialogue between Castle and his teenage daughter.

Castle’s daughter: What exactly are you supposed to be?

 Castle: Space cowboy.

Castle’s daughter: Okay, A, there are no cows in space, B, didn’t you wear that like five years ago?

Castle: So?

Castle’s daughter: So, don’t you think you should move on?

Castle: I like it.

Just plain funny.  Also as an added bonus, ABC has just released a book, “Heat Wave” which is the book the character Castle, has been writing one the show.  Great tie-in.  This type of cross promotion is the wave of the future.

Magazine review: IPMS/USA Journal Vol. 21 No.4

Vol. 21 #4

Another great issue.  I know that I am repeating myself, but this is consistantly the best value-for-the-money modeling magazine available today.  Despite Chris Bucholtz’s questionable judgment in including a book review by me in  this issue, it is still a great issue.  It features a nice 72nd scale M1A1 dio.  There is also the first part of a two part build of US space vehicles.  For  the a/c set, there is a story on a build of 48th scale Navy aircraft for a museum.  Join IPMS/USA now!