Got my MCM July issue!

[PlasticWagens]

Harry,

I know there is additional costs for every printed page, but to me to really capture the heart of the hobby and in keeping with the true grassroots builder (out of box builds) I would like to see a page or two in every issue dedicated to readers rides/builds.

[Harry P.]

Harry, my only real criticism of the magazine is that it seems like a lot of the copy could use additional editing to both tighten up the writing and "punch it up" a bit to make it more readable.

I would also like to see more info about the people behind the models and the articles. FSM used to run boxes with its articles that were headlined "Meet Joe Smith," or whatever. In that box was a mug shot of the contributor, along with a little biographical info. SA has started to do that, too, with its "One Great Model" feature. Not saying you should do that to copy those publications, but, like I said, I just think it adds a nice, human touch.

Something else I'd like to see more of is feature stories on particular models. Gary Schmidt's SAE used to do that sort of thing all the time. When a noteworthy modeler _ let's say, Larry Boothe, for example _ finished a model that tore up the contest circuit, you could count on SAE having a story on it _ not a how-to that documented every step of how it was built, but a FEATURE story that had plenty of close-up photos and good, nuts-and-bolts-type info about the work that went into the build. It seems we almost never see that type of article anymore. I'd like to see them make a comeback.

Good feedback. I'll answer one by one.

As far as editing the text, I agree with you. In many cases the writing could be improved. That's because a lot of the features we run are submitted by people who are great modelers... but they never claimed to be great writers! When I do the layouts I try to catch any obvious typos, sentences that make no sense, bad grammar, etc., but I don't re-write the text, even though in many cases I'd like to! And the copy editors also pretty much leave things as submitted, apart from obvious mistakes. That's because Gregg prefers not to mess with a contributor's text unless absolutely necessary. Getting the story "directly from the horse's mouth," in that person's particular style, is what Gregg prefers. I know it makes for some quirky writing at times, but that's part of the "for modelers by modelers" approach.

More info on the model builders: If we're running a feature from a regular contributor, we assume that you all already know who that person is. If we do a feature on someone new, I agree a little "mini-bio" would be nice. Good idea... I'm definitely adding that to my "to do" file.

Feature stories on particular models: We have occasionally featured the Best in Show winners as a "feature within a feature" in that particular contest's coverage. Maybe time to do it more often?

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

The one thing I would like to see is more kit reviews. That is the 1 thing the other mag has for it, more kit reviews.

Kit reviews on paper are nice, but most new kits are reviewed "ad infinitum" online as soon as they hit the store shelves and sooner in some cases.

Edited July 9, 2009 by Marc @ MPC Motorsports

[Harry P.]

Harry,

I know there is additional costs for every printed page, but to me to really capture the heart of the hobby and in keeping with the true grassroots builder (out of box builds) I would like to see a page or two in every issue dedicated to readers rides/builds.

I like that idea a lot. Also going in my "to do" file...

[Harry P.]

If that's the policy, that's the policy, and far be it from me to argue it.

However, I still believe the quality of the writing could be improved, through some judicious editing, without sacrificing any of the "for modelers, by modelers" approach.

Yes, it could. We'll work on that!

[george 53]

Well I just got my issue,an I liked it! But then again, I always like it! Ol'Treehugger hisself got a article about his Vette!

I Don't know jack about editorial content,deadlines,publishing costs or nuthin like that, but I like the mag. I know I wouldn't even TRY to publish one. But then again, when I think, WELL, I'VE MET GREGG! an Harry hasn't,(an what, he's like WAY up the ladder) maybe it can't be ALL THAT hard! Anyways, seein the Resin Reveiws expanded,an readin about Greggs adventures an hardships, all in the effort to harass Harry,an get us the Mag,and seein Dave's Vette article, I REALLY DO feel like it's my magazine! I mean it's OUR mag, but it feels MORE personal to me than SA could EVER be!

I REALLY ENJOYED SAE when Gary owned it,then when the Mega-Buck pub.co. bought it, I watched them kill off Car Modeler, then cut Sa back to 6 issues a year, and raise the subscription price. I was one of the ORIGINAL subscribers to Fine Scale Modeler, cas I DIDN'T know SAE was in publication! When Kalmback bought SAE I KNEW it was gonna go downhill. They don't need to compete with themselves! Thanks Guys, for ANOTHER great issue(see, I'm not hard ta please!)

[Clay]

I got mine today also, haven't had a chance to read it, and by the cover this one looks to be a killer. And Dave you suck for making us wait to see your retro vette, but I am sure its worth it.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I got mine today also, haven't had a chance to read it, and by the cover this one looks to be a killer. And Dave you suck for making us wait to see your retro vette, but I am sure its worth it.

Well at least you got yours. I'm still waiting to see it.

I'll probably be the last one to get mine

[MikeMc]

I'll probably be the last one to get mine

I don't know about that. When folks ask me how far south are you? I answer 40 miles south of the end of the railroad!!!

and I think they still use ponys to get our mail here.......so you have seen the vette AND I'M WAITING!!!!!

HARRY!!!

[Dragline]

That other mag has turned to garbage. I like it when it had "enthusiast" in its name. It "used" to be a great mag.

What happened to it?

Modelcars totally rocks every time!

I guess I'll pony up for the subscription, wonder when I'll get mine, and in what shape?

My guitar mags and "adult" monthly come in fine, though 2 of them are bagged.

I'd pony up a buck or 2 more for the bag. I recycle all of my bags anywho.

Bob F

Edited July 10, 2009 by Dragline

[Clay]

I don't know about that. When folks ask me how far south are you? I answer 40 miles south of the end of the railroad!!!

and I think they still use ponys to get our mail here.......so you have seen the vette AND I'M WAITING!!!!!

HARRY!!!

Well Mike, I can honestly say that this issue is awesome. I love Dave's vette. I love the race vette. I love it all. Thanks Gregg and you know why.

[ismaelg]

I will be the last one to get it.

I got April's on May 5 (all tored up), May/June on June 10 (tored up), so I'll get July's by mid August. Of course, all tored up.

I already got my pristine August issue of Corvette Fever, over 2 weeks ago.

So real Corvettes are faster than model corvettes

[RodneyBad]

I still haven't found mine at my LHSs.

What gives?

They use to get it really quick.

I'm Jonesing for my MCM Fix..

The other one barely gets a second glance.

Flip thru once and I'm done.

I need to be Entertained and Edukated on models.

[Tom Kren]

Got mine but mailman tries to jam the whole thing in the mailbox and its get bent all to hell! But is a great issue!

[pharr7226]

I received mine today and, as usual, I love it. Dave, congratulations on your well deserved Retrovette feature. I must say that I find the criticism of the MCM and SAE interesting. I'm particularly glad to see that Harry responded to the suggestions and criticism with a receptive ear and genuine interest. I'm a fairly new builder and I subscribe to both MCM and SAE. I think there is enough room in the hobby for 2 magazines and I enjoy reading both. I'm attempting to back build my collection of both magazines as well as Plastic Fanatic and Car Modeler through Ebay.

[chrismooney]

I have to say I like every issue MCM puts out. Only one time did one get shreaded in the mail..... I called the publisher and got a second copy in less than a week. Great customer service!!!

Also not to blow my own horm but thanks for picking my ambulance model at the NNL east to put in the July Mag. There were many other models there that were so much nicer than mine that were not published.... Thanks!!

[E St. Kruiser50]

Finally got mine today.

Had to go back 3 pages to find this thread - WAAH .

Anyhow, another great issue, and THANKS HARRY - THE ARTICLE LOOKS GREAT, and so do all the rest of them.

All the best Harry.

Thanks again - dave

[ismaelg]

Finally got my copy a few days ago and my model is on the cover! WOW! Thanks guys!

It broke my heart to hear some saying it was not a GREAT issue.... I like it a lot, but then I'm biased

Thanks,

[Foxer]

I DID get mine a few post ago, but was too busy reading to reply. And, as late as I might get it, it was in perfect condition.

As far as content, I find every aspect of car modeling to be of interest, even thou I only do 1/25 -1/24.

A diecast NASCAR you'll never see on my bench, but improving an existing kit works in ALL scales.

Resin Talk is needed everywhere.. it's tough for these small casters to get their product out and even tougher finding all that is available! I'm also not a Funny Car builder, but saw some interesting curves and pieces in these bodies that could easily find their way into one of my 50's customs.

1/43 is just too small for my old eyes and fingers, but the vast subject matter in this scale is fascinating! Wayne Moyer's coverage of one of the hobby's first small casters showed what can be done with one man and a vision. The subject matter he covered in his kits would make an injection molder gush with pride.

Right along on the same subject, Wayne's regular Collector's Showcase of "die-casts" are cars I would never purchase, but the variety of cars and variance in quality being produced is of great interest to this car guy. I love the short, but effective. write ups and the quantity of cars he covers every month.

Trucker's Corner: I have never build a large truck.. pickups are the closest I've gotten. But, I'm working on a 60's dragster that needs a fuel tank.. looks pretty close to the ones hanging off Tim Ahlborn's trucks.

One of the greatest kit reviewer's in print, Larry Greenberg .. enough said. And Brad Leisure's constant flow of ideas to "steal" .. whether on the kit featured or a part of another "masterpiece" are always welcomed.

NNL East.. the first model event I've been to in many years and many masterpieces I got to see AND meet the makers. Fantastic! What I love is how Gregg manages to make the short blurbs on each one feel personal and NOT cut and paste!

That leave's Dave Susan's Vette ... what more can be said about following one of the Masters of the Hobby through a build than just looking!

Yeah, I love this magazine .. even though there was not one article on how to build the "cars I have owned" that I've been hooked on lately ... I have learned.

Edited July 29, 2009 by Foxer

[tim boyd]

Finally got my copy a few days ago and my model is on the cover! WOW! Thanks guys!

It broke my heart to hear some saying it was not a GREAT issue.... I like it a lot, but then I'm biased

Thanks,

Ismael I sure enjoyed your Vette build...TIM

[38 Crush]

If you know the secret of how to make every article in every issue appeal to every reader every time, please let us know and we'll "fix" the magazine immediately!

Well, I might as well put my Two cents worth in. I know I'm going to get a lot of flack about this because there are alot of younger subscribers on board BUT, I noticed That the last Six issue buildups have been about sport cars. UCK!!! and franklly I'm sick of them. When the mag arrived my friends and I started thinking" Model Sports Cars Magazine" just got Here. If it isn't sports cars it's muscle cars.Sorry, but there are more people out here than the young guns!!

38 Crush

[Harry P.]

Well, I might as well put my Two cents worth in. I know I'm going to get a lot of flack about this because there are alot of younger subscribers on board BUT, I noticed That the last Six issue buildups have been about sport cars. UCK!!! and franklly I'm sick of them. When the mag arrived my friends and I started thinking" Model Sports Cars Magazine" just got Here. If it isn't sports cars it's muscle cars.Sorry, but there are more people out here than the young guns!!

38 Crush

Let us know what you'd like to see. All input welcome!

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