Introduction

Traplet Publishing produce the monthly magazine Military in Scale, which was established in December 1992. Covering pretty much every critria of Military modelling, Each full colour issue has something for everyone, be it, aircraft, armour or dioramas. Modelling the Luftwaffe is hopefully a first of many Specials that Military in Scale will release.

The magazine

As the title suggests Modelling the Luftwaffe covers German aircraft from World War 2 and has builds from simple out of the box to scratch building and loads of techniques.
I'm using the term magazine loosely with this publication as it resembles a larger Osprey title then a magazine. Packed with a hundred full colour pages on an A4 size glossy paper, there are 14 articles, featuring Bombers, Fighters, Transporters, Jets and Paper Projects from 1/144th to 1/32nd scale.
All the features are well edited and the photo's are great quality. Every model is stunning and the photo's do them justice as I managed to see a few of them at the Scale Model World show, where Traplet Publishing had a stand.
Each build pretty much has a step by step guide on the techniques used with a list of materials, kits and any A.M parts used during the build.
The builds are informative and not too overbearing regarding accuracy issues with the kits. Each feature has at least one technique that you could learn from, whether it is adding detail, painting or weathering the subject. With every build the paints used and appropriate mixes for RLM colours are given.

Contents

Yellow Eleven
An in-depth feature on a very special Focke-Wulfe 190D-9, using the Hasegawa/Revell 1/32nd kit.
Arnoldy's Eagle
The 109 Emil built by Francisco Carlos Soldan using the 1/48th Hasegawa offering.
Zerstorer
Diego Quijano builds Fujimis old 1/48th Me 110 in an Iraqi colour scheme.
The forgotten scale
Manuel Conde Benitez builds two kits in 1/144th scale.
Pfeil good factor
A step by step feature by Daniel Zamarbide Suarez of the Tamiya Do 335 Arrow.
Seeadler
Revell's 1/72nd Junkers 290 comes to the attention of Jose Antonio Granado.
Flying bomber
Monogram/Revell's classic 1/48th Heinkel He 111gets an impressive colour scheme thanks to Tomas de la Fuente.
Desert encounter
Tamiya's outstanding 1/48th Storch gets an unusual diorama from the joined forces of the Haris Ali and the Editor.
The Komets tale
Ricardo Abad Medina builds Revell's 1/48th Me 163 without having to finish it in a highly accurate scheme.
A madcap model
Planet Models Fucke-Wulfe Flitzer is a tricky little kit, but Manuel Conde Benitez helps modellers everywhere with this 1/72nd offering.
Greased lightning
MDC's impressive 1/32nd Arado 234 Blitz gets built by Mitch Thompson.
Flying wing
Luciano Rodriguez normally builds 1/48th armour but turns away to build Revell's Horton Ho 229 Flying Wing in 1/72nd.
Guided Mistel
The Editor tackles a 1/32nd Heinkel He 162 Salamander with Cammets Mistel conversion.
Project 1099
Adding simple details improves Revell's 1/72nd Messerschmitt's P1099 as built by Francisco Carlos Soldan.

Conclusion

I find most magazines I buy are read once then put on the shelf to gather dust for the rest of their life, but with this publication I can see it sitting by my desk and used to inspire me to try new techniques until I have learnt how to achieve it. Many of the techniques could be used on every aspect of modelling, including armour, not just Luftwaffe subjects. Even though my main scale of modelling is 1/48th, the two 1/144th builds are truly stunning and has me got me determined to have a go at this small scale. The Junkers Ju 290 is an impressive piece of modelling and the weathering of such a big aircraft is excellent. The Me 1099 has one of the most impressive mottled camo schemes I have seen on an aircraft, and its in 1/72nd. With a varied build of Luftwaffe aircraft featured, there should be something for everyone in this Special edition and at £5.99 the magazine is great value, and a real source of inspiration.