BIGGER AND BIGGER - HUMONGOUSLY HUGE B-17 FROM WINGSPAN MODELS

David Jefferis reports:

Tabletop modelmakers are used to relatively small sizes - for example, 1:32 or 1:24 scale are about the normal maximum for injection-moulded aircraft. But step outside into the world of flying scale models, and it seems there’s almost no upper limit.

READY OCTOBER - FORWARD-SWEEP HARRIER, ‘WHAT-IF’ DESIGN FROM 1980

SMN report:

Ready for release in October is this what-if proposal for a supersonic Harrier replacement, from way back in the early 1980s. The team at Fantastic Plastic has revived the design with a 1:72 scale kit, patterned and cast by Anigrand Craftswork, of Hong Kong.

NEW LOOK COMING TO SCALE MODEL NEWS

Just a word to say we've been playing around with layouts recently and think we have something that will be cleaner, more attractive, easier to read, and will include a far better way to look again at previous articles.

So come back very soon for more news of the update's progress - we're loving it and trust you will too.

btw The aircraft shown is a 1:72 Hasegawa A-10, modified as a Reno Racer for the first remote-piloted UAV race, Year 2020... or thereabouts!

SHUSUI ROCKET FIGHTER - AN ORIENTAL Me163 KOMET

SMN report:

While we’re on the subject of rocket-powered Japanese aircraft (Okha article last week, see link below) here is another 1:48 scale release from the FineMolds stable, the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (‘Sharp Sword’), a single-seat World War II interceptor based closely on the German Messerschmitt Me163 Komet.

IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS - TEST SHOTS OF UPCOMING REVELL A400M AIRLIFTER TO 1:72 SCALE

SMN report:

Revell is planning a nice Christmas present for military aviation fans - it’s the Airbus A400M airlifter to 1:72 scale. Fitting neatly in size between the smaller C-130 Hercules and the bigger C-17, the A400 is Europe’s tactical transport solution that is finally, after many delays, making its way toward operational status.

‘BLADE RUNNER’ SPINNER FLYING CAR FROM FUJIMI

SMN report:

Due for release late October is an item that sci-fi model fans have long been crying out for - an injection-moulded kit of the Spinner Police Car from the classic 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner. It’s going to be a 1:24 production from Fujimi, and brings that near-three decade famine to an end, and should bring Fujimi’s talents to the fore with clean mouldings and accurate detail.

JAPANESE OHKA ROCKET-BOMB IN TWO VERSIONS FROM FINE MOLDS

SMN report:

It seems to be ‘1:48 scale week’ here at SMN - and here’s another look at this scale with a beautifully produced pair of kits from FineMolds of Japan. Similar in concept to the automated German V-1 flying bomb, the single-seat Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka ensured precise targeting by having a Japanese pilot onboard, to guide the deadly craft towards Allied shipping.

ROLL BACK THE IRON CURTAIN WITH SOVIET-ERA 1:43 SCALE DIECAST CARS

SMN report:

The ModelSpace brand from publisher DeAgostini has a fascinating offer starting now: a dozen-vehicle range of vehicles from the days of World War II, and the later Cold War era, when the Soviet Empire vied with the West.

HASEGAWA FOLLOW-ME JEEP IDEAL FOR WWII DIORAMAS

SMN report:

If you like the look of the 1:48 scale Revell B-17G we featured earlier this week, then these items could be just the thing if you’re into dioramas, or simply wish to add a few items to bring some life to a static model.

ON THE HORIZON FROM AIRFIX - HMS ‘DARING’ STEALTH DESTROYER

SMN report:

Tabletop navy fans have something to look forward to in the months ahead - it’s the 1:350 scale Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring from Airfix. No details have been released yet, apart from the box art shown above, but to this scale, the model should be some 435 mm (17.1 in) long, a size that should ensure plenty of detail on this characterful ship.

50 YEARS OF ALIEN ABDUCTIONS

David Jefferis on close encounters:

On the night of September 19-20, 1961, the US couple Betty and Barney Hill reckoned they experienced a close encounter with a UFO. During the incident they ‘lost’ two hours, but survived intact, to file a report to US Air Force investigators the very next day. They claimed to have seen a silent, cigar-shaped craft, crewed by up to 11 humanoid aliens.

NEW FUNCTIONALITY FOR SMN SLIDESHOWS

SMN Report:
Scale Model News is expanding again, with the addition of a neat slideshow feature.

It's simple to use - after you click on the 'Read more' button, the rest of the article appears on a new page column. Click on any of the pix in the column and you should get a zoom enlargement on screen. Click on that (or press the right arrow on your keyboard) and you will sequence through the show, pic by pic.

FREE BUCK ROGERS THUNDERFIGHTER PAPER KIT

David Jefferis reports:
Excuse me while I drool over memories of the utterly gorgeous Erin Gray, aka Colonel Wilma Deering, female star of the TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. I mean, forget the science-fiction - she was the draw so far as I was concerned!

SUPER DETAIL TRACKSIDE SCENES FROM WOODLAND SCENICS

SMN report
Woodland Scenics offers a vast range of rail-orientated models and accessories, though it's fair to say that many - even most - are also suitable for other forms of model making, in fact anything where a building, diorama or landscape scene is needed in a hurry.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE V-2 ROCKET FROM SPACE MONKEY

 

Mat Irvine looks again at a big rocket kit

Earlier this year, I had a preliminary look at a 1:24 scale V-2 kit from a new company to the field, SpaceMonkey Models. It’s taken a while, but now I’ve finally had a chance to have a more detailed look at this big-scale release. For the picture above, I added an AMT 1955 Chevrolet Cameo pickup. It's a few years more recent than the V-2, but gives a good sense of scale.

1:72 SCALE VOSTOK FROM FRENCH KIT MAKER MACH 2

Mat Irvine looks back:

Although the 50th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight was on April 12, true space fans celebrate the achievement all year round. Well, that’s my excuse for looking at this kit in September!

LAST F-22 RAPTOR UNDER CONSTRUCTION, BUT THE STEALTH FIGHTER STILL FLIES HIGH IN THE KIT WORLD

SMN report

The last of 195 F-22A Raptors for the US Air Force is now under construction, yet the entire F-22 fleet remains grounded over concerns about the pilot's cockpit breathing system inside the cockpit, which has been under investigation since November 2010, when an F-22 crashed mysteriously in Alaska. No emergency call was received from the pilot, and the assumption is that he passed out from oxygen loss before the crash.

BE YOUR OWN MASTER AND COMMANDER WITH 1:48 SCALE HMS SURPRISE MODEL

SMN report:

The latest vessel from DeAgostini’s Model Space arm is the 1:48 scale HMS Surprise, a ship made famous as the nautical star of the 2003 movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

MEGA MODEL KITS - WHAT’S THE BIGGEST?

Mat Irvine discusses

When two or more modellers gather together, besides arguing as to whose round it is, one topic of discussion that occasionally comes up is: “What’s the largest kit?” Mind you, then there’s usually further discussion as to what you mean by: “large?” Maybe the maximum length in one dimension, or the overall bulk, possibly the number of parts, even the box size...

EYE CANDY TODAY - BEAUTIFUL FRENCH MODELS

SMN report:

Here’s a chance to be a little different and take your model making skills away from the usual high-profile combat types. Apart from modern combat jets, Airbus products and a few rockets, the French aerospace industry seems somewhat shortchanged in the model department, at least from the mainstream manufacturers. And yet France has a splendid history going right back to the pioneer days of aviation.

AHOY THERE! GIANT 1:35 SCALE VOSPER MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT FAST APPROACHING!

SMN Report:

Success for Italeri with its other 1:35 scale motor torpedo boats, the German Schnellboot S-100, Italian MAS, and US PT Boat, means that another World War II veteran is on the slipway, nearly ready for launch. The upcoming British Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) will complete the Italeri torpedo boat fleet, and details of progress make it look unmissable.

HASEGAWA RAIDEN - A 1:32 SCALE THUNDERBOLT FROM JAPAN

SMN report:

According to Hasegawa, this is the first 1:32 scale kit of the Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden (Thunderbolt) since the 1960s. Apparently, the original moulds were lost at sea, so this new kit provides a fine opportunity for the 21st century modelmaker to assemble a state of the art new-tool production. 

MOEBIUS MODELS BATPOD COMING SOON

Another Batman kit is on the way, says David Jefferis:

Due for release from Moebius Models in October is this 1:25 scale sci-fi motorcycle. It’s the Batpod, a Hollywood prop that first appeared in director Christopher Nolan’s 2008 movie The Dark Knight. 

SEE-INSIDE MODELS WITH DRAGON PROJECT CUTAWAY

SMN report:

The people at Dragon certainly know how to press the buttons of this model fan. The latest range of ready-built models is called ‘Project Cutaway: Marvels of Mankind’. It’s a brilliant title for a range of cross-sectional models that allow you to see inside, behind the surface detail.

MONOGRAM BLACK WIDOW HOT ROD

Mat Irvine looks at a blast from the past:

Although the vast majority of modern car kits are fully detailed with many intricate parts, sometimes it’s nice just to do a straightforward easy build - and this can also involve a blast from the past, like this 1:24 scale Monogram Black Widow.