December 2003

December 2003

FineScale Modeler magazine is the essential tool for modelers of all skill levels. Learn how to create models of aircraft, armor, ships, cars and more. Every issue provides clear, well-instructed articles that show how to assemble the latest model kits and how to master painting and finishing techniques.

Kit reviews, new kit and product announcements, tips from experts, and a gallery of readers' models make every issue packed with value.

RENEW

DIGITAL EDITIONS

GIVE A GIFT

BUY THIS ISSUE

Features

Incredible British gun truck

Spectacular scratchbuilt detail and great weathering turned an old Peerless kit into this fabulous World War II Bedford QL gun carrier.

From Kitty Hawk to Mach 3

BY Paul Boyer

A brief overview of powered flight's first century.

Accurizing the Wright Flyer

BY Mitsuo Kashiwagi

Monogram's old box-scale kit from the 1950s is still a good kit. Make it a showpiece with scratchbuilt details and replacement parts.

Kitbash an early Blackbird

BY Paul Boyer

Before the SR-71, there was the A-12. We show you how to use two Italeri kits to model the famous Lockheed spy plane's predecessor.

100 most significant aircraft

BY Paul Boyer

FSM readers voted for the most important aircraft of the first century of flight. And the winners are ...

Super gloss paint jobs from a rattle can

BY Matthew Usher

We demonstrate the tricks for getting contest- winning gloss finishes on a spiffy Jaguar Mk. II.

Sherman surgery

BY Brian Penny

Simple corrections, scratchbuilt details, and a resin turret turn Dragon's 1/35 scale M4A4 into a sharp Canadian-service Sherman V

Set the stage for award-winning realism

BY George DeWolfe

These simple design concepts will help take your dioramas to the next level.

Departments

Reader Gallery

Photos of models of all types, submitted by their builders.

The Call of Duty

Amhurst SA-6

Curtiss SBC-4 Helldriver

The War of the Worlds

USS Peleliu

Soviet 152 assault gun

F-84G

BMW R75

KA-6D

Cessna 150HS

LVT-(A)-1 Amtank

I.N. Kozhedub’s La-7

Renault FT 17

USS Crockett II

Workbench Reviews

FSM's unmatched reviews of the latest kits, every one built by a modeler.

Hasegawa Willys MB Jeep

Italeri SH-60B Seahawk

Tamiya Williams FW24

Roden Felixstowe F.2A

CraftWorks Bf 109K-4/K-6

Roden SdKfz 263 (8 Rad)

Kit Classics No. 58

Renwal's fabulous flying machines

Extra Articles

IPMS Region 2 show photos

Military Miniature Society of Illinois 2003 show

Editor's Page

A letter from FSM's Editor, Mark Thompson.

Scale Talk

Letters from modelers around the world.

News & Products

News stories and the latest products to help you enjoy your hobby.

Reader Tips

Tips for enjoying your hobby, from your fellow readers.

Questions & Answers

Have a question? FSM is here to help.

Coming Events

The who, when, and where of modeling events.

THE MAGAZINE

CONTACT US

RECENT PHOTOS

CATEGORIES

RECENT THREADS

CATEGORIES

RECENT ARTICLES

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT REVIEWS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT VIDEOS

POPULAR TOPICS

NEW PRODUCTS

OUR STORE

CURRENT ISSUE

SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Features

Incredible British gun truck

From Kitty Hawk to Mach 3

Accurizing the Wright Flyer

Kitbash an early Blackbird

100 most significant aircraft

Super gloss paint jobs from a rattle can

Sherman surgery

Set the stage for award-winning realism

Departments

Reader Gallery

The Call of Duty

Amhurst SA-6

Curtiss SBC-4 Helldriver

The War of the Worlds

USS Peleliu

Soviet 152 assault gun

F-84G

BMW R75

KA-6D

Cessna 150HS

LVT-(A)-1 Amtank

I.N. Kozhedub’s La-7

Renault FT 17

USS Crockett II

Workbench Reviews

Hasegawa Willys MB Jeep

Italeri SH-60B Seahawk

Tamiya Williams FW24

Roden Felixstowe F.2A

CraftWorks Bf 109K-4/K-6

Roden SdKfz 263 (8 Rad)

Kit Classics No. 58

Renwal's fabulous flying machines

Extra Articles

IPMS Region 2 show photos

Military Miniature Society of Illinois 2003 show

Editor's Page

Scale Talk

News & Products

Reader Tips

Questions & Answers

Coming Events

Classified Marketplace

Hobby Shop Directory

Index of Advertisers

FREE DOWNLOAD

CURRENT ISSUE