Wednesday, February 6, 2013

JAMES BOND ‘SKYFALL’ OR DEMOLITION DERBY ‘METAL ALIEN’? IT’S YOUR CHOICE, WITH RACING SETS FROM SCALEXTRIC IN BIG AND SMALL SCALES



MAT IRVINE REPORT
Scalextric features the latest James Bond movie as the subject of the Micro Scalextric 1:64 scale Skyfall set with track.


The standard Micro Scalextric Skyfall set includes an Aston Martin DB5 and DBS, plus 3.7m (12.1ft) of double track with triple curves and a flyover straight. The 1:64 scale was a model racing format pioneered by Aurora in the 1960s, since become one of the industry standards.


Tight on space?
The micro scale is useful if you have limited space - the supplied track needs an area measuring just 1200 x 680mm (47.2 x 27in) which makes it easy to set up on any reasonably-sized table.


Grip in the bends
The cars themselves are fitted with magnets to help them stay on the track, and construction is described as, ‘super resistant’, aka ‘child-proof’ so they can crash many times over, yet stay in running order.

Bigger format
The Skyfall set is also available at twice the size, 1:32 scale, just right for including the extremely detailed supplied Astons in a diorama scene - big-scale aircraft would be ideal - if you wish to mix and match ‘models’ with ‘toys’.


Demolition Derby
The 1:32 scale Demolition Derby set is something very different, featuring cars called the Metal Alien and White Skull. More than 300 visiting journalists to the recent London Toy Fair 2013 gave Demo Derby their thumbs-up for the ‘Toy of the Show’ award. It makes you wonder, given how many crashes occur during any Scalextric race, that it hasn’t been done before!


What’s unusual about the Demo Derby cars?
New to Scalextric is the way the jalopy-like hot-rods are constructed, using clip-together components that allow them to break apart when they collide - and put back together again afterwards. Scalextric has also added a measure of customization, with clip-on wheels, decorative decals and various mix-n-match parts.


The pic (above) shows the Demo Derby car components and in built-up form. There is also a sheet of peel-off/stick-on decals. So, race them customized as you wish, and if bits fall off, well, just stick ’em back on again!

***SMN Note: Many of the latest Scalextric cars are fine models in their own right, some of them so beautifully produced that it seems a shame to risk them in track races.


Skyfall and many other Scalextric sets available here.

Scalextric home page here.