Rookie Aerospace, Inc

Aerospace Modeler Magazine #6 Spring 2007, #7 Summer 2007

Billy Crisler, Editor

Reviewed By  Charles Landrum, IPMS #26328

MSRP: US Subscription: $32 / 4 issues Foreign subscriptions $32 plus postage (see the web site) Back issues $9 each. www.aerospacemodeler.com Published by Rookie Aerospace, Inc. Peyton, Colorado Review copy provided by Billy Crisler The first time I saw Aerospace Modeler Magazine (AMM) was at the IPMS-USA 2005 National Convention; it was an impressive debut; I have not picked up an issue since. I lucked out; John Noack sent me both the Spring and Summer issues for review. Published quarterly, AMM is a full size (8.5 X 11 inch) magazine on quality paper. Both of these issues run 80 pages, with color throughout. The content varies by issue but generally includes: New Product Reviews Full build kit reviews Painting and markings feature A photo research/walkaround A detailed history article Build articles How to articles Articles are of high quality in photography, editing and layout. Each article has color on the page that is consistent through the article, so that if you scan through quickly you can locate an article of interest. The content of the articles and the workmanship of the models is also top notch. As a result the magazine has a very professional appearance and is dense with information for 80 pages About each issue: The Spring issue (no. 6), has a US Navy theme: The first article is on creating a WWII USN wood flight from Nautilus Models laser etched products. It finishes with some fine vintage color reference photos. The 2nd article in on the also-ran Grumman Guardian, which ultimately lost out to the Skyraider. While it was not well known, it did enjoy a small production run. The article is a build of the 1/72 ACE kit. Following this is a photo feature of the Guardian in service and a walk-around of one in the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The 3rd article is on Grumman Panther and Cougar colors with a lot of color profiles and callouts. Fourth is a lengthy article on SBD Dauntless paint schemes - with profiles and brief monographs. Written by Dave Klaus and Mike Lampros, it is based on primary source materials. Fifth is an article on backdating a DC-2 to a DC-1. Don Albert's NAVAIR models are featured in a two-page spread. The Summer issue (no. 7) has an Air Force/Army Air Corps theme: The 1st article is a build of a 1/48 phantom in tribute to Robin Olds. It is followed by an article on painting and marking F-4C Phantom 63-7680 with color photos and profiles for reference. The 3rd article is on creating realistic stressed metal skin - from the craftsmen of the Czech Republic. Fourth is a clear step by step by Ed Kinney on applying realistic metal finishes using Alclad. The 5th article is on the Northrop Gamma Family in the military. A fascinating article that clearly traces the lineage of the Gamma and its descendents - from the Gamma 2A to the SDB-1. It is full of color profiles. Following the Gamma article is a detailed build of the MPM 1/72 A-17 (The USAAC derivative). Included are four pages of archival photos of the plane. The issue finishes with some high quality build reviews including the Anigrand 1/72 XB-46 including reference photos of the plane and its cockpit. I found myself engrossed in every article in AMM - something I can't say about some of the other hobby magazines that have been on the market for a while. Subscribe, you will not be disappointed!

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