All the content on our website is brought to you by your fellow HPM members and adding your own experiences is easy to do.

If you already post images and descriptions of your work on social media, then you are almost there. Take pictures, describe what you did in your text and let the webmaster do the rest. We have no word count or style restrictions. If you commit to a project, there are no time limits; you finish it at your own pace.

What Kind of Articles Are We Looking For?

• Tips-N-Techniques
  Quick modeling tips, how-to’s and presentations – If you hosted a clinic during a monthly meeting, writing an article about what you taught is a perfect way to help everyone learn your techniques.
• Reviews
  Model kit, tool, supplies and book reviews
• On the Bench
  Project build notes from our members
• Vehicle References
  Walk around photos or information about a particular vehicle, aircraft, or subject
• Historical Narratives
  Was there a particular significance to an event or time period that might make a good modeling subject?

It’s all up to you. Write an article about something you are interested in, no matter how old the kit is or what the subject matter is as long as it relates to modeling.

How Do I Submit an Article?

Please submit unique content that has not already been published online or in other publications. Your text will be edited for correct grammar, spelling and clarity, but every effort will be made to preserve the original intent of the author.

There’s no need to learn how to run our website to have your article published – your submission can be in the body of an email or even handwritten copy would be acceptable; as a last resort, if it’s legibly written.

• Digital is preferred – Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Plain Text, Email are but a few. Anything is welcome.
• Do not concern yourself with formatting or style. It will be reformatted to fit the website layout.
• Provide history of the subject, if possible.
• Descriptively caption images and key the captions to image file names.
• Provide a list of aftermarket additions used, if any.
• Provide a list of reference materials used.
• Writing in “caption style” is acceptable, as long as there are enough images to tell the story as captions. Although this style requires less writing, the number and quality of the images are crucial.

There are no word count minimums or maximums, but more is better. You can send your article to the Webmaster through our club email listserv which can accept both your text and images (see notes below). Not on the member mailing list? Ask one of the club officers to add you to the listserv.

What About Pictures?

Photographs are a little more particular, as they tell the story for the reader. It’s best to provide photos unaltered and at the largest size that your camera will allow. If you want to write captions, then just put them in the text and refer to a photo name.

Always send more than you think is needed and the editors will select images according to what works best in the website layout.

• Include in-progress as well as finished poses. A picture or two of the box art might add interest to your article.
• Consider some images with the camera posed at “fender level” with the model – these make good potential front cover shots.
• WEBP or JPG formats are preferred, but others are acceptable.
• Use descriptive language in the photo filenames.
• Use the largest resolution that your camera allows.
• It is preferred that you do not alter the images in any way, including resizing, cropping, color / focus edits, and caption overlays. We’ll take care of the formatting.
• Use a solid, lighter-colored backdrop behind the model instead of your workbench. Something smooth is better than textured.
• Shoot with your camera on a tripod or stable surface and use the built-in timer so no hands are on the camera when it captures the image.
• Always shoot the photos in a well lighted area (the exception would be if your model has lighting effects, then dim the lights so the model’s lighting shows up in a shot or two).
• Provide many poses from all angles. Zoom in to sections of the model that deserve attention. What would you want to see or be seen?
• Provide multiple poses where the whole model is within the frame. These poses are potential featured (front cover) images.
• Be sure to include a picture or two of you with your model. Ask a friend or family member to take the pictures for you.

If you need more camera usage tips before starting your article, please ask.

How to Structure Your Article

A sample outline to structure your article might look like this:

• Introduction:
  Briefly describe the subject’s history. Any historical significance or interesting deployment / production anecdotes is a bonus.
• Kit Description:
  What comes in the box and what options are provided? Appraise the parts quality regarding detail and noticeable flaws.
• Construction:
  Describe the building process you used and why. Mention alterations to the kit, why you did them and most importantly, how you did them. Mention complications encountered and inaccuracies identified. Include mention of clear, resin and metal parts that are part of the kit or aftermarket items added.
• Paint and Finish:
  Mention the overall scheme and its historical context. Name the products used by manufacturer and specific name. Include marking choices and methods
  used to apply them. Describe weathering techniques used with descriptive details that teach the reader.
• Conclusion:
  Did the model meet expectations? Is it a good value for the cost? Was it enjoyable (or not) to build? How does it compare to other kits like it (if any). Would you
  recommend it to others?
• References / Resources:
  List references used to help you build the model, including websites. List aftermarket products used, by manufacturer and name, if any.
• Tell us about you!
  Include a short biography about yourself (or a link to your Members Page if you have one).