SAM PUBLICATIONS [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

Book Review
Scale Military Modeller Intl.
Scale Military Modeller International
  • DPP_03411

by: Jim Rae [ JIMBRAE ]

Introduction
For those who build (or even 'dabble') in Aviation Modeling, few people can be unaware of Scale Aviation Modeller. This, at least in my opinion, is the best of the many aviation modeling titles out there. Now, following from their success in this area, SAM Publications, have re-vamped, re-worked and began afresh with a title aimed at the military modeling fraternity with what is effectively a completely new monthly magazine.

Around a year ago, I published a highly-opinionated 'overview' of four of the U.K's military-modeling magazines. My conclusions (controversy generated apart) were broadly that some of the publishers could consider a make-over of some of their titles to reflect more the graphically-exciting (?) age we live in. I also felt that more could (and should) be done for the less-experienced modelers in our midst. Has SMMI taken this approach? Read on...

The Magazine
It would perhaps be useful to explain that Scale Military Modeller International is a reworking of a previous title from the publisher - Scale Models International. The new emphasis though, is now VERY clearly on military subjects - particularly armor. The Editor, Andy Evans, in his editorial clearly sets out his stall for the intentions of the magazine with a strong emphasis on build features along with an as in-depth as possible look at the new products which are on the way in models, upgrades and reference material.

The magazine is printed in full color and consists of 82 pages. It contains all the usual departments one would expect - Reviews, Event Reports, Reader competitions etc. However, the area which DOES set itself apart from some of its competitors, is a strong emphasis on News. Also, within the magazine, you'll find both previews and reviews (very similar to our site sections). Quality of printing is good with images clear and crisp.

In Detail
The magazine is divided into eight separate 'departments', these are

News
Previews
Reviews
Accessories
Decals
Builds
Books
Events


The first section is pretty self-explanatory with the (rarely-seen) admittance from Editors that they can't compete with the 'net over 'immediacy' of News Items although this one does seem pretty up to date. A huge number of manufacturers are covered in this section along with both AM and full-kit releases. As a separate part of their News section, they've added a nice feature with a 'News Feature' (Spotlight) - in this issue they cover in some detail the future release of a an M915 Guntruck from Minimanfactory.

'Previews' are small, (but pretty nicely done) mini reviews of a wide range of products. This sets the stage for the Review section. The Review section is conventionally-enough done and covers a LOT of subjects - 11 in 1/35th scale, 7 in 1/72nd scale. Depending on the 'importance' of the subject, this appears to be the criteria established. If I have a gripe then it's the apparent lack of coverage in 48th scale although the New upgrade sets from Black Dog ARE covered albeit in a simple photo-report. A separate section covers books (and increasingly important) multi-media.

Six Build-Reports are covered in the next section. These are well-presented with good text, useful 'in-progress' shots and a variety of well-explained techniques. Within this section is the 'Armour Workshop' which in this case covers a simple conversion of the Tamiya Willys Jeep. A more extensive feature takes an overview of the Sd.Kfz 222 in both 48th and 35th scales. A well-known name to Armorama users, will be that of Keith Forsyth, who has published an article on a French LeClerc in Lebanon. An added bonus are some of Chris Hughes' (Toadman1) superb images of a preserved example.

The penultimate section covers both the usual modeling shows (IPMS etc.) along with the 'full-size' shows and rallies such as the Wings and Wheels show. One section, (which I hope will become a regular feature) is titled Ármour Americana' which covers both modeling and armor-related museums on the other side of the 'Pond'- the first report covers the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The last section provides a calendar of future events along with a some attractive competitions.

Conclusions
I've previously categorized magazines into three (very) broad categories - those which cater to a wide range of modelers of different experience and ability, those which follow a tried and tested formula , and those which cater towards the 'Uber-Modeler'. Scale Military Modeller International fits clearly into the first category with a couple of additional thoughts. I REALLY like the News and Spotlight features - these, to me, are extremely innovative for a print magazine. The Reviews are competent and make the most of the available space (paper vs. cyberspace). Looking at the work of a magazine editor makes me really grateful we have virtually unlimited space for News, Reviews and Features (although I'd like longer deadlines!). The Editor, Andy Evans, has done an impressive job of presenting a lot of information and (sometimes forgotten in the modeling world) ensuring that it's also well-written. Nope it isn't a literary magazine, but good English always gets the information across better than texting...

If I have a niggle, and it might not be entirely fair on the basis of one issue, there should, in future issues, be more for quarter-scale. After a slowish start, 1/48th scale is now featuring more strongly in SMMIs competitor's magazines. It's also become less of a 'novelty' amongst modelers - once again, reflected across the 'web.

It would have been easy to follow the path of least resistance and either produce a very 'high-end' or a very 'basic' magazine. They've avoided these pitfalls. This will go right across the board and offer something for all levels of the hobby. With (to all intents and purposes) this being the FIRST issue of a NEW magazine, the editorial team have hit the ground running with every indication that future issues are going to continue to be innovative. It's also nice to see that on the 'net, we DON'T have a monopoly of ideas and quality publications like this help to keep us sharp!
SUMMARY
Highs: Focus on armor, well written and organized, innovative News and Spotlight features.
Lows: First issue deals with common scales of 1/35 and 1/72 but 1/48 is scarce, hopefully something to be addressed more in future issues.
Verdict: An impressive launch issue that innovative approaches and offering something for all levels of the hobby.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: Issue # 1 - August 2008
  Suggested Retail:  £3.80
  PUBLISHED: Jul 26, 2008
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.06%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 91.13%

About Jim Rae (jimbrae)
FROM: PROVINCIA DE LUGO, SPAIN / ESPAñA

Self-employed English teacher living in NW Spain. Been modelling off and on since the sixties. Came back into the hobby around ten years ago. First love is Soviet Armor with German subjects running a close second. Currently exploring ways of getting cloned to allow time for modelling, working and wr...

Copyright ©2021 text by Jim Rae [ JIMBRAE ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Not Impressed by this new magazine. It needs some work to compete with other stuff out there. Andy
JUL 26, 2008 - 02:31 AM
Hi Have to agree with Andy on this, it's not up to the standard of some of the magazine that are out there now, but it's a descent magazine, The reviews articles arn't bad. Some of the models arn't up to the standard of some of the top names. I still have found some interesting pieces in it. I like the articles with the Sheridan in them . I'll keep buying it at the moment as long as the articles do not start to slip in quality & quantity & they dont put to many adverts in. Some of the older well known mag's are getting too full of adverts eg military modelling I think the 1st 12 pages are adverts & the last 5 the same. I want a magazine full of reviews & Build articles not adverts. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.
JUL 26, 2008 - 08:52 AM
I tend to agree with Andy & Shaun, though to my eye it looks like a gaudy 70s magazine. I'm no expert on the Vietnam period, but the Willys Jeep (a poor one at that) looks wrong next to a Chinook and why are there 155mm shells plonked next to the Sheridan? The ammo for the Sheridan looks quite different to artillery shells. The biggest problem is that articles have 'larger than life' pictures of the models which show up a lot of flaws, this degree of enlargement can make the best models look poor. This is the sixth 'military modelling' magazine on UK newstands and I fear in the longer term that is possibly three or four too many. JH
AUG 01, 2008 - 10:10 PM
At the danger of sounding like i'm defending my own Review, let me restate what I said in the final part: Last year, when I did an overview of four of the U.K's more 'high-profile' magazines, I made no bones about it, my personal favorites are Model Military International & AFV Modeller - two very different publications with a clearly-defined readership. Scale Military Modeller International is, IMO, a highly professional publication. It will, I feel, have more 'application' for the less-experienced or newer modelers - an excellent area in itself. You don't sell advertising space - you don't exist. Simple as that. Why should modeling be exempt from market forces? Sport exists because of sponsorship. Are we somehow morally superior to every other area? This site exists in its current format thanks to advertisers. Sorry, it's a TOTALLY absurd argument. I will however, agree to one 'gripe'. A recent issue of MM had a feature (paid advert?) on one of the pre-built/painted AFVs. Not, IMO, anything to do with modeling, but as all magazines are cash-strapped, to a certain extent it CAN be understood on a purely commercial sense...
AUG 02, 2008 - 01:29 AM
I don´t think its totally absurd at all. This arguement is even more relevant when buying from another country, when importing/extra transport and weight costs are added. I pay for a magazine, I want articles and features, not pages of advertisements. I´ll pay more for the magazine to get this, rather than opt for the cheaper version with little or weak content, and then puffed out with fillers. This site may exist in its current format thanks to advertisers, but its free to the users. Advertising is understood and accepted for this reason. If this was a pay-site and one had to wade through pages of ads, how popular would it be? Add to that, a 2 page feature on the opening of a new toy shop, plus the pages of advertisements that Shaun already mentioned, its leading me to believe the days of magazines are really numbered. Yes I bought this mag ... because the cost was worth it for me, for the SU76M article by Zaloga, but its not every issue that will have something of this nature, that interests me enough to pay for it.
AUG 02, 2008 - 02:36 AM
I haven't seen the Magazine because either Easons the magazine importers here have not got it in or else it sold out immediately. I've almost stopped buying mags altogether. I used to buy TMMI for the Armour features but it has really lost out to Model Military International. Instead of features its recent issues have been filled with "Kit Previews" Military Modelling I only buy when Steve Zaloga does a 1/35 scale build. I passed on the recent Armour Special. I was in my LHS this morning and he had AFV modeller so I picked it up €12 and then I left it on the garden table before I got a chance to read it and it rained
AUG 02, 2008 - 03:30 AM
What is most absurd about "Scale Military Modeller International" is that they proudly display on their cover "Scale Models - 38 years of excellence", which (as one who has the first issue of the original 'Scale Models') I think is a bit rich as their is no real lineage from the original. The rules of commerce will determine if the particular magazine succeeds, but I have rarely seen models of such a low standard on websites, and the model's presentation is not helped by the photos. JH
AUG 02, 2008 - 05:14 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • DPP_03401
  • DPP_03391
  • DPP_03381
  • DPP_03371
ADVERTISEMENT