Sunday, August 2, 2009

FineScale Modeler 02 2002


Here at FSM, we always look forward to model photos from Spain's Alfonso Martinez Bcrlana, and this spectacular Ju 188 is a real eye-popper! The zebra-striped, bulbous-nosed Junkers stands out among the usual dark colors in a Luftwaffe collection. Alfonso's models are always spectacular to look at, and often he graces us with in-progress photos to show the work he put into the project. The subject he chose this time was a Ju 188 bomber based in Norway to attack Allied shipping approaching the Soviet Union. He was intrigued by the striped camouflage; each plane was unique because there was no paint regulation. The over-painted light blue-gray stripes helped blend the bomber into the winter background. Alfonso told us the 1/48 scale Dragon kit looked impressive in the box, but the fit and finish of the parts needed work. To build the bomber as it was equipped, Alfonso had to cannibalize bombs and bomb racks from the ProModeler Ju 88 (which is another Dragon kit). Dragon's Ju 188 came with torpedoes which Alfonso chose not to use.

FineScale Modeler 03 1999


From 1966 to 1974, the Can-Am Challenge racing series' wide-open rule book produced some of the most exciting and innovative race cars ever. Bruce McLarens M8B is a perfect examples of the breed. Powered by seven-liter fuel-injected Chevrolet V8s, the 1,500-lb. car had almost 700 hp available. Can-Am cars were extremely fast - and extremely loud. Having seen them race at Sebring and Road America, its hard to believe my ears aren't still ringing! A glance at the individually bagged white-styrene parts in Accurate Miniatures' kit gives the impression that every part from the full-size car is represented. Included are two sprues of flexible vinyl parts - one silver, one black - to model the car's ignition wiring and plumbing. Fabric seat-belt material is included for the five-point belts, and plastic buckles are included. A rubber-like seat cushion comes on the sprue with the cars tires. The cars tiny brake lights get their own translucent-red sprue, but no chromed or photoetched parts are provided.