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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
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REVIEW
AK Interactive "The Weathering Mag"
bill_c
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Posted: Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 10:42 AM UTC
Bill Cross reviews AK Interactive's new "The Weathering Magazine," Issue #1: Rust.
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Pops53
Joined: November 05, 2011
KitMaker: 100 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 11:46 AM UTC
Bill, thanks for a fine review, with excellent descriptions. "The scantily-clad model makes it a little cheesy," although, on behalf of the predominant gender visiting this site, I'd also like to thank you for including her. Actually, for including three scans of her (including the lead graphic), or 23% of the 13 images shown. No rust on them! (Tanks don't get nose art, so this is probably as good as it gets.)
Also, a very minor qualm, and one not restricted to this review by any means. Why do reviewers include, as a "Low," advertisements for the product-maker on behalf or whom the book or magazine was published? Would you really prefer Geico? This magazine includes "plenty of ads for - guess who? AK Interactive products." Well, yes, and it shows you how to use them, too. That's one-stop convenience, as far as I'm concerned. If MIG, AK Interactive, Tamiya, and many others did not take an interest in weathering, we'd be right back where we were 30 years ago --- trying to figuring it out ourselves, by trial and (plenty of) error!
Also, a very minor qualm, and one not restricted to this review by any means. Why do reviewers include, as a "Low," advertisements for the product-maker on behalf or whom the book or magazine was published? Would you really prefer Geico? This magazine includes "plenty of ads for - guess who? AK Interactive products." Well, yes, and it shows you how to use them, too. That's one-stop convenience, as far as I'm concerned. If MIG, AK Interactive, Tamiya, and many others did not take an interest in weathering, we'd be right back where we were 30 years ago --- trying to figuring it out ourselves, by trial and (plenty of) error!
c5flies
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 12:18 PM UTC
Great review Bill, wonderful overview without giving too much away.
Even though you found plenty of ads for AK, I found less than I thought I would. Yes, I did expect to see plenty of AK's products, after all it is their mag, but I found just as many 'plugs' for Vallejo acrylics. Remember, Vallejo has absolutely no connection to AK. In fact, most of AK's paint sets are not Vallejo paint (I believe just the 2 first CM sets were).
I also saw plenty of Tamiya, Lifecolor, etc mixed in there.
Was a bit surprised to see Rob as Mr. Scratchmod, although the 2 names go hand in hand for the master of destruction
John did an excellent job on the first issue IMO, looking forward to the next.
Again, thanks for the fine review!
Even though you found plenty of ads for AK, I found less than I thought I would. Yes, I did expect to see plenty of AK's products, after all it is their mag, but I found just as many 'plugs' for Vallejo acrylics. Remember, Vallejo has absolutely no connection to AK. In fact, most of AK's paint sets are not Vallejo paint (I believe just the 2 first CM sets were).
I also saw plenty of Tamiya, Lifecolor, etc mixed in there.
Was a bit surprised to see Rob as Mr. Scratchmod, although the 2 names go hand in hand for the master of destruction
John did an excellent job on the first issue IMO, looking forward to the next.
Again, thanks for the fine review!
Karl187
#284
Joined: October 04, 2006
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Posted: Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 11:58 PM UTC
Superb review Bill, I think you've made some sound observations- very thorough!
creativemodels
Joined: January 02, 2008
KitMaker: 28 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 02:25 AM UTC
Issue 1 is now available in the UK and a number of copies have already shipped to retailers.
AK Weathering Magazine Issue 1
Creative Models
AK Weathering Magazine Issue 1
Creative Models
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 02:46 AM UTC
Good review Bill and a totally accurate account of what modellers will find in the magazine and likely the format in future issues.
The use of the model is cheesy. Hopefully it won't cause the magazine to be pulled off hobby shop shelves in the Bible belt! Advertising like this has been common for years in Hot Rod and R/C magazines in Europe and North America for decades and this is actually really tame when compared to simple TV commercials for shampoo in Europe!
I had a look through this issue a few weeks ago and the content is great. It is excellent to see highly quality projects and the explanations about the unique ways the finishing is obtained. While I would not say this magazine is for beginner modellers is should give all modellers the ability to pick and choose what they feel comfortable trying.
It is just my personal opinion but I found Mig's monologue at the end of the magazine a tiny bit condescending to modellers who aren't as experienced or experimental as he is. Practice makes perfect and there is no perfect.
The use of the model is cheesy. Hopefully it won't cause the magazine to be pulled off hobby shop shelves in the Bible belt! Advertising like this has been common for years in Hot Rod and R/C magazines in Europe and North America for decades and this is actually really tame when compared to simple TV commercials for shampoo in Europe!
I had a look through this issue a few weeks ago and the content is great. It is excellent to see highly quality projects and the explanations about the unique ways the finishing is obtained. While I would not say this magazine is for beginner modellers is should give all modellers the ability to pick and choose what they feel comfortable trying.
It is just my personal opinion but I found Mig's monologue at the end of the magazine a tiny bit condescending to modellers who aren't as experienced or experimental as he is. Practice makes perfect and there is no perfect.
alanmac
Joined: February 25, 2007
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 03:23 AM UTC
Hmmm yes.
If any of the attending modellers at my local branch of IPMS looked like that I think even I'd make the effort to get to the meetings.
Then again I struggle to keep my hands steady at the best of times without someone like this complicating matters.
Alan
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 03:28 AM UTC
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.
@Fred: Hey, she's a doll, no question about it. As to shilling for your own products, I'm just a tad uncomfortable about paying for a magazine and then being "sold" on the magazine's line of products. Do they make the techniques easier? Sure, but what about modelers who can't afford 30-40 Euros for a set of AK washes? In the interest of transparency, I should say: I did not pay for this issue (it was a review sample), I am contemplating subscribing myself, and do have some AK Interactive products on my bench and will likely purchase others. As you correctly point out, they're very good, reduce the number of steps and eliminate any variability with a do-it-yourself solution.
@James: You make a valid point that other products ARE mentioned, but the din of AK shilling in just about every article did get a bit annoying. Yet I hope my strong praise for the issue, the splendid quality of its photos (especially the non-cheesecake), the generous sharing of knowledge, etc. will not allow one criticism to become the focus (as it apparently has off-line, LOL).
@Karl: thanks, I am an admiring editor and reader of your reviews, which are always very detailed and thorough.
@Jason: thanks for your compliments. Yes, one of my LHS makes most of her money from RC airplanes, and no magazine cover in that hobby would seem to be finished until a busty babe with deep cleavage has been given a plane to fondle appreciatively, LOL.
@Alan: I could make some smutty jokes about hands, but I'll leave that to the imagination, LOL.
I hope all who read the review will appreciate that my goal as a reviewer is always to give the reader enough information to make an intelligent buying decision. If I have succeeded, I'm happy; if not, I take full responsibility.
I think the magazine as a stand-alone is an excellent investment, and will teach even experienced weatherers a trick or two. That having been said, it's not without flaws IMO.
@Fred: Hey, she's a doll, no question about it. As to shilling for your own products, I'm just a tad uncomfortable about paying for a magazine and then being "sold" on the magazine's line of products. Do they make the techniques easier? Sure, but what about modelers who can't afford 30-40 Euros for a set of AK washes? In the interest of transparency, I should say: I did not pay for this issue (it was a review sample), I am contemplating subscribing myself, and do have some AK Interactive products on my bench and will likely purchase others. As you correctly point out, they're very good, reduce the number of steps and eliminate any variability with a do-it-yourself solution.
@James: You make a valid point that other products ARE mentioned, but the din of AK shilling in just about every article did get a bit annoying. Yet I hope my strong praise for the issue, the splendid quality of its photos (especially the non-cheesecake), the generous sharing of knowledge, etc. will not allow one criticism to become the focus (as it apparently has off-line, LOL).
@Karl: thanks, I am an admiring editor and reader of your reviews, which are always very detailed and thorough.
@Jason: thanks for your compliments. Yes, one of my LHS makes most of her money from RC airplanes, and no magazine cover in that hobby would seem to be finished until a busty babe with deep cleavage has been given a plane to fondle appreciatively, LOL.
@Alan: I could make some smutty jokes about hands, but I'll leave that to the imagination, LOL.
I hope all who read the review will appreciate that my goal as a reviewer is always to give the reader enough information to make an intelligent buying decision. If I have succeeded, I'm happy; if not, I take full responsibility.
I think the magazine as a stand-alone is an excellent investment, and will teach even experienced weatherers a trick or two. That having been said, it's not without flaws IMO.
CDK
Joined: September 24, 2006
KitMaker: 358 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 04:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
...but what about modelers who can't afford 30-40 Euros for a set of AK washes?
Well to be fair, if anyone is paying 30-40 Euros for a set of washes, it's their own fault and not the fault of AK.
AKs' most expensive weathering set (and it has more than merely washes) is only 18.60 Euro on the Spain site, or 27.95 USD on AK USA.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Friday, August 03, 2012 - 06:47 AM UTC
Thanks, Ken, for the clarification.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
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Posted: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 05:34 PM UTC
I just finished reading this magazine cover to cover and I think it is a masterpiece and an innovation in publication. The articles are easy to follow, the photos are stunning, and the magazine as a whole just blows you away. Each technique is different, it's not just "6 guys do rust". Everybody I talk to is talking about this magazine. Everyone in my club either has one or wants one. I think this format is a stroke of genius, each issue covering one subject, done 6 different ways, in a way people can follow at any skill level. I'll be subscribing, and learning a lot. Oh, and Akatsiya is a beautiful touch, I hope she graces the pages of all future issues. Kind of dispels the stereotype of all modelers living in their Mom's basement and never having dates. Congrats to the AK team for a great idea and a great publication.
GALILEO1
Joined: April 18, 2006
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 04:59 AM UTC
Great review, Bill! Will be ordering mine this weekend.
Rob
Rob
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 07:30 AM UTC
Thanks, Rob. Always glad when my reviews are helpful.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 07:47 AM UTC
Sorry Bill, I didn't mean to slight you. Quite an excellent, accurate, balanced and informative review. Thank you Bill.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 08:15 AM UTC
No offense taken, Matt. I try to be like a good ref at a sporting event where no one notices me, just the review and the product. 
But thanks all the same!
But thanks all the same!
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 - 03:30 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Kind of dispels the stereotype of all modelers living in their Mom's basement and never having dates. Congrats to the AK team for a great idea and a great publication.
Ya, but there is always "that guy" at every model show that really should have taken a shower before coming to the show.
vonHengest
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 24, 2012 - 03:19 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextKind of dispels the stereotype of all modelers living in their Mom's basement and never having dates. Congrats to the AK team for a great idea and a great publication.
Ya, but there is always "that guy" at every model show that really should have taken a shower before coming to the show.
Yes, it's unfortunate but it does seem to happen a lot.
Plasticbattle
#003
Joined: May 14, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2012 - 01:31 AM UTC
Thanks for the review Bill. Tempted me so I just bought it via the link given by Creative Models.
As I haven“t seen the mag yet, its hard to comment, but Im sure with the names of those involved, it should be worth the money ... but
Getting it here to Sweden is another £7, which makes it £16 total for a mag, which is just a bit too salty for my tastes. I know P&P costs, so nothing of this is directed to Creative Models. My point is though ... it would be great if this was released as a downloadable PDF. I have no objection for paying for good content, but when a stiff P&P is added (and getting stiffer), it loses appeal. More and more mags are offering this option, and even though it would also be adventageous for me, Im sure many more modellers would pay out gladly for this content on the cheaper download format. Glossy paper is great but its starting to cost too much. Sorry for the rant.
As I haven“t seen the mag yet, its hard to comment, but Im sure with the names of those involved, it should be worth the money ... but
Getting it here to Sweden is another £7, which makes it £16 total for a mag, which is just a bit too salty for my tastes. I know P&P costs, so nothing of this is directed to Creative Models. My point is though ... it would be great if this was released as a downloadable PDF. I have no objection for paying for good content, but when a stiff P&P is added (and getting stiffer), it loses appeal. More and more mags are offering this option, and even though it would also be adventageous for me, Im sure many more modellers would pay out gladly for this content on the cheaper download format. Glossy paper is great but its starting to cost too much. Sorry for the rant.
viper29_ca
Joined: October 18, 2002
KitMaker: 2,247 posts
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2012 - 02:23 AM UTC
I don't understand the rhetoric of them using and mentioning/advertising their OWN product in their OWN magazine.
The magazine is put out by AK Interactive, so why wouldn't they use/mention/advertise their own product?
The scope of the magazine is to show articles on weathering kits, and depending on the scope of the magazine (the first one being Rust) focus on how to do those techniques.
Are they going to then push a competitor's product over their own? Of course not, why would they??
Really no different that say Tamiya Military Modeler with ads for Tamiya in it, or articles using Tamiya kits and paint...or Airfix Model World with advertising for Airfix and Humbrol, and articles with Airfix kits being paint with Humbrol paint.
If a manufacturer is going to foot the bill to produce a magazine, I would fully expect them to push their own products, and have no problem with it.
You wouldn't see Ford pushing a GM product in one of their advertisements would you?
As far as the human model in the magazine.....to me...nice addition....many other magazines have done it before (and still do it), Hot Rodder, Easy Rider, etc, etc. Face it...sex sells...is only on a few pages, and not every article (unlike the above mentioned magazines), and I have no problem with it....nice addition to break up the magazine, and hope they continue with her.
The magazine is put out by AK Interactive, so why wouldn't they use/mention/advertise their own product?
The scope of the magazine is to show articles on weathering kits, and depending on the scope of the magazine (the first one being Rust) focus on how to do those techniques.
Are they going to then push a competitor's product over their own? Of course not, why would they??
Really no different that say Tamiya Military Modeler with ads for Tamiya in it, or articles using Tamiya kits and paint...or Airfix Model World with advertising for Airfix and Humbrol, and articles with Airfix kits being paint with Humbrol paint.
If a manufacturer is going to foot the bill to produce a magazine, I would fully expect them to push their own products, and have no problem with it.
You wouldn't see Ford pushing a GM product in one of their advertisements would you?
As far as the human model in the magazine.....to me...nice addition....many other magazines have done it before (and still do it), Hot Rodder, Easy Rider, etc, etc. Face it...sex sells...is only on a few pages, and not every article (unlike the above mentioned magazines), and I have no problem with it....nice addition to break up the magazine, and hope they continue with her.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - 02:38 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Thanks for the review Bill. Tempted me so I just bought it via the link given by Creative Models.
As I haven“t seen the mag yet, its hard to comment, but Im sure with the names of those involved, it should be worth the money ... but
Getting it here to Sweden is another £7, which makes it £16 total for a mag, which is just a bit too salty for my tastes. I know P&P costs, so nothing of this is directed to Creative Models. My point is though ... it would be great if this was released as a downloadable PDF. I have no objection for paying for good content, but when a stiff P&P is added (and getting stiffer), it loses appeal. More and more mags are offering this option, and even though it would also be adventageous for me, Im sure many more modellers would pay out gladly for this content on the cheaper download format. Glossy paper is great but its starting to cost too much. Sorry for the rant.
Frank,
If you go to http://www.theweatheringmagazine.com/ and look on bottom right, the digital download issues will become available in September.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 01:40 PM UTC
Scott, thanks for the contribution.
I understand them flogging their own products, but it becomes suffocating after awhile, at least in this issue. My job as a reviewer is to tell the reader what they're getting and in most cases, render an opinion. It's one man's opinion, nothing more. Mig doesn't take criticism very well, and this review was no different. He isn't the first unhappy vendor, and won't be the last, despite what was a generally glowing review. Some folks just can't have ANY critiques.
For those who don't mind the constant sales pitch, they will get a step-by-step with AK products, all adding up to some very fine ideas. Some of the techniques can be adapted to non-AK products (including those that still bear Mig's name, LOL).
I understand them flogging their own products, but it becomes suffocating after awhile, at least in this issue. My job as a reviewer is to tell the reader what they're getting and in most cases, render an opinion. It's one man's opinion, nothing more. Mig doesn't take criticism very well, and this review was no different. He isn't the first unhappy vendor, and won't be the last, despite what was a generally glowing review. Some folks just can't have ANY critiques.
For those who don't mind the constant sales pitch, they will get a step-by-step with AK products, all adding up to some very fine ideas. Some of the techniques can be adapted to non-AK products (including those that still bear Mig's name, LOL).
viper29_ca
Joined: October 18, 2002
KitMaker: 2,247 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 03:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Scott, thanks for the contribution.
I understand them flogging their own products, but it becomes suffocating after awhile, at least in this issue. My job as a reviewer is to tell the reader what they're getting and in most cases, render an opinion. It's one man's opinion, nothing more. Mig doesn't take criticism very well, and this review was no different. He isn't the first unhappy vendor, and won't be the last, despite what was a generally glowing review. Some folks just can't have ANY critiques.
For those who don't mind the constant sales pitch, they will get a step-by-step with AK products, all adding up to some very fine ideas. Some of the techniques can be adapted to non-AK products (including those that still bear Mig's name, LOL).
Thing is...they go out of their way to provide an article of alternate products (besides their own) that can be used to produce similar effects. Something they didn't have to do, but did.
There is very little advertising in the magazine (their choice), I just don't see how people have a problem with them pushing their product, all the while giving you alternative options (albeit in another article in the same magazine) to replicate the same techniques.
Bottom line....it's their magazine, their product....seems like a no brainer to me, and anyone else in a similar position with a company like AK and a magazine like they produce would do the same thing, and would be fools if they didn't.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 02:40 AM UTC
Scott, as you say, it's their magazine. I don't want to beat this dead horse any further. You're comfortable with the bleating, I'm not, let's agree to disagree. It's why we have horse races, LOL.
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