Rookie Aerospace, Inc.

Aerospace Modeler

Preview Edition

Reviewed By Phil Peterson, #8739

This is the premier issue of this magazine that was handed out at the 2005 IPMS National Convention in Atlanta by Billy Crisler, longtime IPMS member and Editor of this new venture.  AM is currently planned as 4 issues per year and they hope to ramp up to 6-8 issues per year in 3-5 years.

The magazine is high quality and full color, which I really like.  This issue starts with the first 2 parts of a 3-part series on the AFTI/F-16.  Part 1 covers the history of this program.  This is pretty thorough, and covers all aspects of the program concentrating mainly on the DFCS and AMAS phases but also revisits the CAS phases clear through JIST/JFS.  OK, I know that is a lot of acronyms and I will let you get the magazine to figure them out.

This section has a lot of detailed photos depicting the changes the plane went through during its career and documents these changes for the modeler.

Part 2 details building the DFCS Phase version of the F-16 in 1/72nd scale.  All steps necessary are included with pictures of the build to show you how.  This makes a very nice looking plane.

The last full build article in this issue is a 1/48th scale build of the ESCI/Italeri Mirage F-1C in Iraqi markings from the Iran-Iraq War.  This provides a nice history of the F-1 and its use by Iraq.  Another nice build, and I like seeing a project in Small Air Force markings.

Next up is a Special Convention Decal Supplement for the 1/48th RA-5C Vigilante.  The decal covered 3 planes which are illustrated with color profiles.  My review sample didn’t include the decals.  John thinks he has them laying around somewhere, yeah, right (1VP Note – they ARE buried somewhere on my desk and I WILL get them scanned here) so I can’t comment on the quality, but since they were produced by Victory Productions, they probably are pretty good.  One comment on this is while the profiles are very nice; they don’t illustrate the other side of the plane or any decal placement for the top or bottom.

Next up is a product review on the 1/350 Scale Wooden Replacement Flight Deck for the Trumpeter USS Hornet from Nautilus Models.  The review gives all the info on using this product to replace the plastic deck in the kit.  It includes many hints and tips.

Last up is a Kit Review on the Hasegawa N1K2-J Shidenkai (George) in 1/48th scale.  This is a 3 page article, and is also very through for a kit review.

This issue closes out with a page from the Editor detailing his plans for the magazine which you can read about on their website www.aerospacemodeler.com and a Readers’ Photo Gallery showing 31 planes built by several modelers.  They include highlights of the builds.

Overall, this premier issue looks great.  The color, the pictures, the detailed builds all add up to a winner.  The next issue will include part 3 on the AFTI/F-16 (another build of a later phase) and a spotlight on Vietnam (looks like an A-1E and an A-26K).

There have been several new aircraft magazines coming out recently and this one looks like they will be getting some of my money.  Heck, I may even contribute some pictures to the Gallery.

I recommend this and am looking forward to the next issue.  If you subscribe, tell them Phil from IPMS/USA sent you.  Thanks to Aerospace Modeler for the review issue.

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