Jon Kunac-Tabinor

Hi chaps, It's probably fair to point out that the advert was more than likely laid out by Hornby/Airfix and supplied as a PDF to drop into the layout. There's usually an expectation in publishing that the adverts one is supplied with are 'print ready'. i.e they have been checked by the client already and are ready to go. It maybe of course that Key do the layout for the ads on their magazine for Airfix, in which case it's an 'oops' moment. Just to clarify - for those who perhaps don't know. The magazine is owned and produced by Key Publishing. It's not owned by Hornby or Airfix. Cheers Jonners

Hi everyone, here's whats coming up for the July issue. It is printed and ready to go out to subscribers next week, and will be on sale next Thursday from all the usual outlets, as always. Hope you enjoy it. The Whirlwind is my build, and I'm rather chuffed to have the cover. Cheers Jonners

Top stuff Sabrejet!! I had no idea though that the lovely Roger Lindsay had died. I corresponded with him over 66 sqn Meteors and his 4 books are truly excellent. Back to Zeke- here's a hopefully more colour balanced version of that shot. I could be persuaded that the name is dark blue, not black … cheers Jonners

Hi chaps, space prevented this going into my Fennec article, but if it helps anyone then please use as you see fit. It's a starting point only, but might save time. It's scaled to 1/48. cheers Jonners

Hi Chris- it will go on just before the print issue hits the shops, which should be tomorrow. Hope you like it. cheers Jonners

My starboard gun bay was a perfect fit, as was the ammo bay cover. Cheers Jonners

Hi chaps, I'm currently building this - and converting to a slatted MK.6. The parts so far are all fitting well, but I'd caution that on the port fuselage half the inserts seem slightly less willing to fit flush, all sitting a little low in their positions. It might just be my kit but its worth mentioning. The wing breakdown makes adding slats very simple BTW. And I could easily see an aftermarket resin company making drop a drop fit slat conversion that would require only a simple mod to the parts. If you do remove the wing fence though- its very slightly hollow so back fill with CA&Talc first. cheers Jonners

Well this afternoon I mixed up some X-21 flat base with LP-20 ( Light gunmetal) and LP-11 ( Silver). Thinned with Tamiya lacquer retarder thinner and airbrushed onto some RAF Mk III lightweight RP rails, It dried extremely matt. I used two large brushfuls of it with about a total of 4 brushfuls of paint and then about twice as much thinner, and I'd say I overdid the X-21 by loads, but then I was just doing it as an experiment. ( interestingly with this amount of matting agent in metallic you get a very, very flat grey speckled fined which could have a use I'm sure) So in short: does it intermix with Tamiya lacquer paints? Yes. Will it thin with Tamiya lacquer thinner too? Yes. cheers Jonners

Their lacquer thinner will thin their acrylics too, so I can't see why it wouldn't work 'in theory'. Is there a reason you want to matt the paint before you apply rather than applying a matt varnish afterwards though? cheers Jonners

Hi all - here's the cover for the next edition, which will be available in the shops next week, as usual, as ever. And it's full to the brim with interesting modelling features and articles, as usual, as ever. Subscribers will receive their copies a day or so earlier, but look out for it on general sale Thursday 25th March. cheers Jonners PS the Mach 2 Comet is fab!

Hi FF, I'm always keen to find out in what way you think some of the builds have decreased quality wise. If you'd prefer to PM me thats fine, and please do be honest. The best feedback is the stuff we can act on to make the magazine even better. Cheers Jonners Assistant Editor SAM

Hi Chaps, yes that's correct @treker_ed. We were hacked and then locked out of our admin, so had to start afresh with a new page, named 'SAM - Scale Aircraft Modelling'. Just as clarification: Guideline Publications Ltd are the-owners and publishers of Scale Aircraft Modelling, which has no links to Model Airplane Monthly (MA) and Scale Aviation Modeller International (SAMI). (I do appreciate it can get confusing!) Model Airplane International is published and owned by Doolittle Media Ltd, who also own and publish Tamiya Model Magazine International in the UK. Airfix Model World is owned and published by Key Publishing Ltd. There will be a short test later Cheers, and I'm glad your are enjoying the mag! Jonners

Hi Greg, yes in a year of many "interesting' things, it is not huge. I'm very happy you like the way SAM is going too. We do aim to get the right balance. cheers Jonners

HI Jon - I'd love to get you to contribute, and I can't see your blog being an issue. Our contributors regularly put pics up on Facebook of what they are doing, so a social media output is fine. It is 'your' blog after all. I think what the author meant was that he looked for info on building the model, although one could always just conclude that research does not always bring forth the correct results either! ( I'm trying to be light hearted here - we've all sworn blind we researched things, yet they were still wrong). I'll drop you a PM. Cheers Jon

Hi everyone, Happy Christmas! This is an unusual situation, not unique, but rare. There is no informal anti-toe-treading mechanism. Alas, unlike OPEC we are not a cartel and sadly lack their wealth too!! At Scale Aircraft Modelling, we rely on the honesty of the contributor and do remind them that submissions to any magazine or publisher are done on the clear understanding that the same piece has not been submitted to another publisher. The AH-64 was published in SAM because our Aircraft in Profile writer was hospitalised with COVID, so we needed to include some extra articles. It is unfortunate that this was also in another magazine, but the responsibility in this instance lies with the contributor I'm afraid. As for its content, the writer did say he was trying to do minimal changes I think. As many modellers would probably build the kit 'as is', I think it is occasionally good to see a model built just like that. Although I can also see how something that's not totally accurate will annoy the heck out of those 'in the know', so my apologies if you felt it was A Patchy Apache … My solution as ever of course, is to ask you to contribute! Cheers Jon Tabinor Assistant Editor Scale Aircraft Modelling Guideline Publications

Seasons greetings all, I guess I should display the cast list to my 2020 Blockbuster 'Modelling with a Mask' Varied scales this year, as articles dictated what I was given mostly, but they were all fun, and kept me safe. Most have been in SAM so apologies for the repeats ( but that's what you get at Christmas!) Aunty A's lovely 1/72 Naval Brick started the year. Decals are from the old Modeldecals sheet. Eduard 1/48 Mirage IIICJ, a test for some new NMF paints, but Mirages have to be silver, don't they? HK Models 1/48 B-17G occupied a lot of time - decals came from various sources. A simple kit for its size, which is no bad thing. Das Werk 1/32 Ju 137 'Starschiff Unternehmungslust' was an interesting bit of speculative whiffery. Nice kit. Modelsvit's Bf-109D in 1/48 was from the early part of Lockdown 1 I think. Really lovely little project; although the fit wasn't as great as others have experienced. Another Modelsvit 1/48- Yak 9D- A shelf of doom save - finished in a spare moment. Special Hobby 1/32 Fiat G.50 in Corpo Aereo Italiano markings of Major Bolzano. This was a fun model, although it did need 'building' Fine Molds lovely little 1/48 Ki-15, with the cockpit's weird sideways folding canopies posed open. KittyHawks 1/48 FJ-2 was much anticipated by me, and got a lot of attention for this build. Clear Prop released this 1/72 Ki-51 Sonia, which was a tiny treat, although the paint job was 'fun'! Very Long Range P-51D courtesy of Eduard in 1/48. Modelling bliss. Swedish J20 Falco from Special Hobby in 1/48. Takes a bit of work but it's a handsome thing when done. Tamiya's 1/48 old F-15C backdated to an early F-15A. A real labour of love and I'm very pleased with the result. Al Deere's Spit Mk.1 in 1/48 from the recent Eduard dual boxing. Another first class model that slips together like a decent single malt. Tempest Mk.1 conversion from the Eduard Mk V kit on 1/48th, with scratch built nose and wing rads. The sexiest Tempest I'd say. There's one more in the wings, that should make it for 2020 but it's still in prog, so will be added later. Cheers all, and may 2021 be a darn sight less 'interesting' too. Keep safe, stay healthy and take care. Jonners

Tony's private Air Force gains another Big Wing! Wow, dud, as ever- just scrumptious modelling of subjects that are well picked and as interesting as always. Dead good, are kid. Jonners

Hi Rich - thanks for replying. That would be Colin I assume. cheers Jonners

Hi all, just wondering if there are any truck or even tractor modellers here? Guideline have two new magazines in the fold and we are looking for contributors. Think me as a short, slightly - OK rather chubby, recruiting Sergeant! cheers Jonners

Hi guys, that would sound to be likely explanation- ie the mistaking of SAM for SAMI. Just to stress that SAM - Scale Aircraft Modelling - has no connection with SAMI, but that doesn't stop me from hoping your missing SAMIs turn up so you can all have something else to peruse while in the "littlest room" Don't forget - if you want to write for us, then just drop me a line. We are always on the lookout for new victims writers, and have plenty of advice and help to get you started too. If I can do it, then you can. Right, I'm off to fiddle with me F-15 Have a great modelling weekend! Jonners

Hi again, I haven't heard back from you about this yet. Have you received your copy? We'v had no problems from the printers/ distributors, so it would be good to know who told you that. They all went out at least 3, now nearly 4 weeks ago. If you prefer- please PM me with your details and we can double check to ensure there have been no slip ups. cheers Jonners

No worries Chris- at leats you know its suitably quarantined now! I hope you enjoy the issue. Cheers and thanks for telling us too. Jonners

Hi Chris, can I ask which issue it is you are waiting for? The October one - with the Eduard Spit 1 on the cover? Hi Ranners, can I ask where you are located in the UK please? Cheers Jonners

I don't think a lot of Mustangs constitutes a problem! It shows a person of taste and style Glad you liked the article, the Eduard kit is lovely but not plain sailing, although it does give the modeller a really top class looking P-51. P-51s are second only to Spits in my collection, although I do lack Allison engined ones, something I intend to rectify. cheers! Jonners

Thank you! It's great to have praise and I enjoyed that build too. It's probably a good idea to email the editor with things you like as it does help us set the tone, and it stops me reporting back that 'they like my models" too!! Many thanks Jonners