March 1, 2009

Dear MODELx reader.

It is again time to bring everyone up to speed on the current status for the next issue. I would first like to express my thanks at everyone’s patience as we work thru the new format rebuilding process. Once Issue #3 is out, the subsequent issues will flow much easier and faster. Without boring you with behind-the-scenes details, the extent of the required technical changes for the new format was more than originally planned, but the results I feel are worth it. Plus, we are building for the long-term success and future, and I wanted to make sure any problems get ironed out before we go to print.

Subscribers—for those who have original subscriptions, I have received a few questions as to your status under the new look and release schedule. Obviously, going from a bi-monthly to a bi-annual production rate alters what was under the original subscription terms and we feel it important for us at MX to faithfully fulfill those terms. So with that in mind, we will ship to you the next three issues--#3, 4, & 5, which will more than equal the page count of the previous version of the magazine since the new format is substantially longer in that regards. Essentially you will be receiving all of the issues printed in 2009. From 2010, we can then start with new subscriptions for those that would like to renew. Any questions on this, please feel free to contact me directly at editor@modelx.com.

As to the release date of Issue #3, we are still holding that back for now, at least officially. I made the mistake of stating publicly that we would try to get it out for the previous holiday season and that backfired, good intentions notwithstanding. So with that said, we will make the official announcement when we know for certain we can meet our goals. Remember, this is an extremely small operation. On the one hand you will receive a concise vision for the magazine, but on the other hand a lot of small production details normally handled by myriads of people on a normal sized staff have to be handled by just a handful of people, so it unavoidably takes longer. No excuses, just reasons why things are slower than expected. I will restate that once #3 is free and clear, much of the groundwork will have been laid for more efficient future productions.

And as before in my previous message, I spoke about some of the new authors who are participating in this endeavor. Let me give you a few more names of individuals whose work will also feature in MODELx, and as always is a real pleasure for us to have the opportunity to showcase in print.

Adam Wilder – One of the biggest names in the armor modeling world, very few guys are as influential or as prolific as Adam. A long time friend, it is a real treat to be able to present what Adam does. I have had many conversations with him over the years about finishing techniques and I have asked him to provide articles of a more intellectual nature. You have likely seen his work in other magazines and while providing much needed technical expertise in those pieces; I wanted him to expand on this and give us more insight into the “why” of the things that he does. It should be great fun to see in print. I’ve asked him to kick us off with an in-depth look into his newest form of painting – color modulation, which is really taking hold in the community.

David Maes – David will be a new name to nearly all of you. He comes from Belgium (well that should be no surprise) where great modelers seem to grow on trees. However, what he specializes in is definitely not armor or aircraft. David works his magic with the two-wheeled variety and produces some of the most exceptionally stunning motorcycle models yet seen. He is another one obsessed with finishes and he puts much effort into recreating hyper realistic paint jobs with each project. If I could make the pages scratch-and-sniff, you could smell the exhaust fumes coming from his bikes.

Luca Zampriolo – Here is another treat. I have had the pleasure of being in contact with Luca for a while now, having been familiar with models over the past few years. Italian sci-fi fans will undoubtedly already know his work, but if you are not familiar, Luca--a.k.a. Kallimity, is one of the world’s premiere designers and creators of original sci-fi mechs. All of his models are of his own design—from start to finish. He designs them, illustrates them, then scratchbuilds, paints and weathers them, and ultimately sells resin copies of them. His work has been published in the best mecha magazines around the world and is a fixture in the European sci-fi community. All I can say is “hold onto your hats fellas; the work coming will blow you away”.

John Rosengrant – Ever seen the movies series Aliens, or Terminator perhaps. No? Well I can’t help you then, but if per chance you have caught those flicks on your day off, then you are familiar with John’s day job. He is literally one of the world’s top movie FX artists in the business. He was recently appointed head of the old Stan Winston studios. How cool is it that he just happens to be a scale model geek like the rest of us? John has a long history in the hobby of sculpting and producing his own figures in 1/35 and 1/16 for WWII aficionados and dabbles in other scales as well for other genres, as we soon shall see. A true master, it is a real pleasure and honor to showcase John’s work within the pages of MX.

Spencer Pollard – This name might also be familiar to some of you, at least those of you who read Military in Scale magazine. Just so happens that Spencer is the Editor of said publication, and believe it or not he is quite accomplished building either a plane or a tank, plus he will add the occasional figure or even a full diorama setting. Not too shabby really, most of it is “Junk” really, but alas if you want to see those pieces you’ll need to keep reading MIS, because that won’t be what we show you from him. (Sorry Spence, just having fun). Hmm, inquiring minds want to know. Let’s keep this a little surprise for now shall we, plus it won’t be ready until #4. It will be very special though.

Michael Rinaldi – Well I guess it is only fair to let you guys know a bit more about me. Most of you probably have only seen my work on Missing Links or Hyperscale (when I actually build an occasional aircraft) and in truth that is the bulk of my modeling for the past few years. Like many of you out there, I returned to the hobby after a long hiatus from youth as I went thru school and life. With the advent of the Internet, I too rediscovered the hobby and haven’t looked back since. Officially, I have a degree in Transportation Design and regularly do freelance design work on special custom vehicle projects in the So-Cal area. But as we’ve all witnessed the downturn in the world’s economy, so too has the specialized work diminished in this regards, thus I have concentrated more and more on working within the hobby industry, which has led to the job here at MX. I am normally an armor modeler at heart, but have a dizzying array of interests and will use this stage to showcase more of that work. Yes, you’ll still get a few armor pieces from me time to time, but you can see and read a lot more of that in the pages of our sister publication MMiR where I am a regular contributor. So expect the unexpected from me for MODELx in the near future.

The above list of names makes up the bulk of the rest of the authors for Issue #3, and many will also become regular fixtures in subsequent issues, plus I am adding new names for the future all of the time. It is the best part of the job, really. I have had the opportunity to greatly expand my network of modeling friends and from that I hope to push them right into the limelight for all of you to read and enjoy, perhaps learn a new trick or two along the way. But please remember many of these guys have regular day jobs, so not every deadline will be met and all of our efforts are towards bringing you the absolute best of the scale model world, and as such, some articles get delayed from time to time. Just the nature of the business, but rest assured these are some seriously heavy hitters when it comes to the breed and I am dying to get this new issue out.

I will talk to you all soon. You won’t have to wait long for the next update. Promise. Until then, may your workbenches always be a busy place.

Best,

Michael Rinaldi
Editor, MODELx