Magazines?

[Chris '75]

I'm an avid reader of Fine Scale Modeler, the offline version. In fact, I hate to say it, I have not at all taken advantage of their online features which I guess I should at least check out. I lean towards forums for online modelling content for some reason.... in any event, my question is, in the US is there any paper magazines out there that deal specifically with figure painting/modelling that you all read or could recommend me looking for? I find a lot of historical military reference type stuff, but can't seem to find a miniature equivalent to FSM. I remember as a kid I spent a few years in England and they had Dragon (IIRC), but even that was more game orientated I think.

TIA for any suggestions.

 

[gordy]

There is the one from WAMP news post: http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/portal-issue-24.50160/#post-502179

And there is Figure International : http://www.figureinternational.com/

These are the two that come immediately to mind.

 

[Chris '75]

Perfect! Thanks, Gordy.

 

[theBaron]

There was also the old "Tradition" magazine, published by Belmont-Maitland, I think, and associated with Tradition of London. You can still get copies of some issues from Tradition. Another one was "Campaigns", and "Military Modeler", both of which contained lots of info of the kind we look for. You can get hard copy of them on the secondary market.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Rich Sculpts]

If you like tanks and AFV's buy Military Modeling! Occasionally they put in a token figure in it keep us quiet.

Gone are the days of the figure maker in that publication.

 

[Joe55]

I used to subscribe to HM (Historical Miniatures) magazine, but in 2008 it just sort of petered out. I don't know what happened to the publishers, perhaps it was the internet and the lack of a subscriber base to keep it going. It was a really good mag with loads of color and articles by well known names in the hobby. I've seen copies for sale on ebay and at trade shows.

Joe

 

[Mirofsoft]

There was also " Sword and Lance"

 

[old grumbler]

Does anyone remember "Sword and Lance"? that ran for a few issues, so did a magazine called "Model Soldier". At the time "Military Modelling was a super magazine. There was uniformology, historical articles and great figure news and show coverage. It was a worthwhile magazine up until the early to mid nineties when it changed for the worse and went downhill rapidly. The current incarnation is a kick in the teeth for figure modelers and painters, just awful and cheap looking. Historical Miniatures was a great mag too, set up on the crest of the US and international resurgence of interest in the figure hobby. For me 'Figurines' is still the bible and maintains a high standard and stays true to it's core readership, Figure International too and a really great way to keep up with the superb Andrea figures range, Soldatini is great too. "Amazing Figure Modeler" another super publication We figure enthusiasts are well served these days but you have to know a smattering of French and Italian!

 

[theBaron]

If you like tanks and AFV's buy Military Modeling! Occasionally they put in a token figure in it keep us quiet.

Gone are the days of the figure maker in that publication.

Thanks, Rich, I must correct my previous post, you remind me that it's "Military Modeling" I meant, not "Modeler". I agree about figure content; I buy back issues from the early days, to help identify figures I find today on the second-hand market, and their makers. Still very much to recommend, though!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Dennis]

Sword & Lance was published by a guy in Darlington UK. I cannot remember his name, however he also was a founder member of the Darlington Military Modelling Society and the name lives on in the form of our annual show "Sword & Lance". I too lament the rapid downhill slide of Military Modelling.
Dennis

 

[Mirofsoft]

Sword & Lance first N° was June 1974 Edior A.S. Watson and was numbered Volume IV issue 1; from issue 2 there is no mention of a Volume N° anymore
Best

 

[Mirofsoft]

There was well a US Magazine Military Modeller see here http://cgi.ebay.fr/Military-Modeller-Jahrgang-1980-Komplett-/180793765098?pt=Standmodelle_Bausätze&hash=item2a1825ecea
usualy 2 mains subject 1 maquette, 1 figurines each subject covering 8 to 12 pages with lot of color pictures, this is the magazine who introduce me to Ray Lamb USA sculpting for Superior Model and their incredible Von Mackensen Hussard





not to be confused with Scale Military Modeller or Illustrated Military Modeller

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I don't even pick up MM to glance at anymore and Figurines is too hard to find. Realistically, even when I do find it I look at the price and say that's the cost of a figure and I can get all that on line, so I put it down again. With the net the only use of a magazine is to take your hobby with you on the bus or train. My personal view is that if you have PF you don't need paper.

Colin

 

[Mirofsoft]

Dear CRf what has Polynesie Française (PF) to do with Military Modelling ?
or Italian .... http://www.portafrance.com/
What do you mean ?
Best

 

[Colin_Fraser]

@Mirofsoft In my post "PF" = Planet Figure.

Best

Colin

 

[theBaron]

The full run of "Campaigns" was recently available on CD, in pdf, from Mataka.org. I think I first saw that info posted here a couple of years ago. In any case, I contacted them and learned that they had picked up the copyright, and so, were re-issuing back issues in digital form. I bought a disc for my reference library. If you're interested, I recommend visiting their website, www.mataka.org, and contacting them.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Huw63]

I agree with your comments re. Military Modelling. I've got every issue since 1976 and the last few months have really put any further renewal of my subscription in jeopardy.

I do some armour but the magazine is out of balance with any figure articles aimed mainly at armour crews or accompanying figures. The editor has stated that he can't find contributors for figures. Also the articles concerning history and uniformology are now rare. Overall there's much less content and fewer contributors.

To make matters worse earlier this year the 15 issues per annum were reduced to 13 to stop the cover price from increasing. Two or three months later the price went up anyway.

Should I mail the editor or not? I've considered this but my conclusion is that I will vote with my money and simply continue with Figurines which has a number of builds, show reports and uniform articles in each issue. It's a shame that it's only in French as an English edition would sell many more copies.

My view is that the acquisition of MM by "My Hobby Store" is that MM is a vehicle to sell more on that website. Unfortunately I won't be a customer as I still get my figures from Historex Agents in the UK and any Armour from Luckymodel in Hong Kong or Euromodels here in Switzerland and they are both much cheaper than in My Hobby Store.

I've been pondering this matter for some time so thanks for a thread which has crystallised my thinking. MM will not be renewed.