FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

This page is being started as I'm finding myself using more and more time away from the editing and building part of the site and using it to answer questions.

Not wanting to be rude, but spending several hours a day responding to e-mails is not the best use of my time. If you don't get a response to your e-mail, you can still be assured that I do read it.

1.  "Where I can I find........?"

--If it is hardware like kits or decals, the first place I'll tell you to check are the various advertisers to see if  they can help you. You'd be surprised what is out there if you look. Check the Links page for even more possible help. Finally, put your inquiry on the Swap Shop. There are hundreds of faithful readers out there who just might have what you seek.

If it is information you seek, post an inquiry on the Discussion Board. You can also use any of the various search engines to do your web search. I use Google.com as they are really quite good, but there are a number of others.

You also need to know that some things, like decals and aftermarket parts can sell out quickly so the odds of your finding it decreases greatly over time.

2.   "Will you copy.....?"

--No, I won't. Please do not ask me to copy any material from any of the references I use. That is way more time consuming than answering e-mail, so put your requests of that sort on the Discussion Board where you will reach a heck of a lot more people, many who are much nicer than I and will undoubtedly help!

This also applies to instruction sheets. I generally do not keep them once I am finished. It reduces clutter. Many manufacturers keep a database of instructions so check there first.

3.  "How do you....?"  

--First thing to do is visit the Feature section and click on the "How do I...." hyperlink. What you seek may well be there.

 3a. How do you spray on Future?

For those wanting to know about Future, I spray it full strength and mist in on in thin coats allowing at least 30 minutes between coats for the gloss stuff. I use Future and Tamiya or Gunze flat base for a clear matte. I mix it about 30-40% flat base, but you need to experiment with it for yourself. Cleaning of the airbrush is done with straight isopropyl alcohol.

4.  "What airbrush should I buy?" 

--The bottom line is that you want an airbrush that you can use for decades. I recommend a quality double action one like an Iwata, Badger, Paasche or any number of manufacturers. The key is to not buy a cheapie if you are in this hobby for the long haul. I use an Iwata Eclipse bottom feeder and am very happy with it. It is what I use for all the Luftwaffe mottling and such. I was also happy with the Badger 150 I used for 20 years before that. The Iwata is just a bit better. Dixie Arts has excellent prices on airbrushes, but you cannot return them if you don't like it.

5.  "Will you send me a high quality scan of a decal sheet (or portion of it) so I can copy it to make my own decal?"  

--No.

6.  "Can you give me advice on how to take pictures of my models (or buy a digital camera)?" 

--Yes, follow this link.

7. "Why are you such a stickler about whether a contest entry has been published before?"

 ---I do this to keep the playing field as even as I can. If an entry has been up on another site, there is a good chance that there will either be multiple close-ups or a description of the work involved. I want the entry to stand on its own with nothing more than what you see. I also want the contests to be an excuse to build a model, not just drag something off the shelf to enter.

8. Why don't you do gallery entries like the other guys?

---M2 is not a gallery site. The prime purpose is to provide reviews (or build articles). Yes, I know that there are some galleries in M2, but they are limited in scope.

9. Why won't you answer my e-mail?

---I try to get to as many as I can, but frankly, there are times when the input is absolutely overwhelming and I can do little more than read them. Trust me, I do read every one that is sent in.

10. Why don't you provide plans or measure the kits against plans?

---You have to realize that I'm not a plans person and leave it at that. There are plenty of other people who enjoy measuring kits and I'll let them do that sort of thing. Frankly, I don't care if it is off by a little bit as that is not my focus.

11. What do you do for a living?

---Actually, Modeling Madness is about as much of my job as anything. It easily takes a 40 hour (or more) week to keep this thing up and running. I'm retired from the US Navy and living on the very small pension that enlisted people receive.

12. Will you send me information on.......?

---I get requests like this all the time. Sometimes I can help, but more than often, I just don't have the time to spend to hunt up the info people are seeking. That is what the Reader's Forum and Swap Shop are for. Please use them as you can access thousands of people by that means and have a much better chance of having your question answered.

13. Why don't you publish on the weekends?

---It takes enough time to do the weekday updates. I do have to have some time to myself to do other things. How the other guys do it is beyond me. They must have help or something. All the grunt work in M2 is just me.

14. I saw on your website xxxx. Please send me x of them. I live in xxx.

---I'm not a store nor a philanthropist. I suggest checking the online advertisers without whom M2 would cease to exist. I'm quite amazed at the number of 'orders' that I get during the month, mostly for stuff that is hard to find. Probably the most 'interesting' request I have gotten over the years is for 24 Airfix SA-2 Guideline kits. The prospective buyer was willing to pay me $4.00 each. For those of you who are unaware, the Airfix SA-2 kit is extremely difficult to get as the molds were damaged/lost shortly after the first production run. The average going price for these kits (if you can find them) is in the $35-50 range.

15. I'm considering buying a  Monogram 1/72 B-52 (or other kit) and don't see a review of one on your site. Please build and review one for me so I know what it is like before I buy it.

--Folks, the fact is that I don't take requests. :o)  The site relies on a large number of faithful reviewers who enjoy seeing their name in print and who are like myself and enjoy sharing their knowledge and skills with others. They do this for no more than the pleasure it gives them to help others. If you want to see a review of xxxx, then build the kit, write up a review and send it in!

16. Why do you do this site?

---That is probably the most asked. I do this because I like scale modeling and I want to be able to provide a place where you can come and get information about an item before you plunk down your money on it. Others feel the same way and provide the reviews that you read. I get a number of e-mails every day about how helpful the various reviews and build articles are when it comes to time to build the kit in question. It is also a great place to get answers to questions as it seems M2 readers are the most friendly on the net. Unlike some other places, flame wars are nearly non-existent and folks are willing to help, no matter how basic the question. I can tell you that if it wasn't fun, I wouldn't be doing it!

17. How can I contact a reviewer?

--Simple. On most reviews, the author's e-mail is a hyperlink in the statistics box at the head of the review. If the link doesn't work, then the reviewer has gotten a new e-mail and has not told me as I do update those links when informed.

18. E-mails concerning site content.

All e-mails to the editor regarding the web site are considered public communications and may be published without prior consent. I appreciate it when errors can be corrected so provide a reference. Keep this in mind when sending angry correspondence as I may well decide to share it.

As a closing note, I'd like to mention that many of the questions people ask are already answered if they would take the time to go through the site. The links on the left side of the main page will provide you with much information. I know it is easier to ask than to take a few minutes to look for yourself, but do us all a favor and do that looking before you resort to a query. Besides what is in M2, you can find a LOT of information from http://www.google.com and other search engines.

More to follow when the circumstances arise. If you can think of any to add, don't hesitate to send them in. Just don't be mad if I don't reply to your e-mail!