Strange days indeed! As we continue to pick our way through this pandemic, amongst the many, many selfless acts of kindness and support given by so few to so many over these past weeks, it good to see the modelling community has also being doing its bit to raise spirits and to keep modellers, new and old both entertained and inspired. As my colleague David Francis alluded to in Last months magazine, plastic modelling has seen a resurgence as a pastime with many returning to the hobby or discovering it for the first time! I can relate to the former, having spent a few ‘wilderness years' in my late teens and early twenties when ‘other interests' began to outweigh that of the lure of plastic! I did however, in that time retain an avid interest in aircraft, and also a fascination for spaceflight, which was at the time at its height. But as the years moved on the allure of the model kit again took over, in fact I can recall being in local a toy shop with my youngest daughter, and literally being transfixed by a stand packed with Airfix models. Some were new to me, but others were repackaged delights of kits I had previously built, and the joys I had experienced making them came flooding back. So much so that we left the shop with not only the latest Barbie set for my daughter, but an Airfix Spitfire and Harrier tucked under my arm! It was then a matter of rediscovering the skills of, as Airfix used to say, ‘locate and cement’! I can also recall trawling through my collection of books and magazines for references on the two aircraft, in the knowledge that ‘somewhere’ I had seen an article on the particular Harrier shown in the kit, and I also knew I had something on the Spitfire....but where? We are fortunate enough today to be able to pull together information literally and the touch of a key, or by referring to any of the myriad of books and magazines available for that vital reference or photograph. Here at MA Publications look to provide you with some of the best information around to enhance your modelling experience, with our magazines and book series, and in SAMI you will find the latest information on new kits, accessories and decals, along with full build reviews, first looks and modelling features, all in one place. If you are currently unable to get your copy of SAMI from newsstands, then it is available, by mail order from the MA Publications website www. modelaircraftmag.com or in digital form from Pocketmags www.pocketmags.com. Also, if you don't want to miss a copy then we have a range of subscriptions available, so you get your magazine straight to your door every month! As well, many of our out of print books are now also available in digital form from the Pocketmags website too, so why not have look at what's on offer. So, on behalf of David, Tim and myself, remember to stay safe, stay calm and carry on building models!
Andy Evans