REVELL VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACECRAFT: TEST SHOT ASSEMBLY DETAILS FROM MAT IRVINE

Here’s more on Revell’s new kit of the SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo combo that will allow anyone to ‘fly into space’ - with two provisos: that they have a spare $100,000 or so, and can demonstrate that they are ‘reasonably fit’!

AIRFIX INCOMING 2014: D-DAY 70th ANNIVERSARY NEW-TOOL KITS

2014 looks like being a vintage year for Airfix, with a range of new-release and new-tool subjects in various scales. Here we look at some kits designed to partner with the D-Day landings that commenced on June 6, 1944.

HUMANS IN SPACE: REVELL VIRGIN GALACTIC DUO FLIES HIGH IN 1:144 SCALE

Space fans - and potential astronauts - will cheer this latest Revell real-space kit of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic ‘edge-of-space’ craft, due to fly paying passengers in 2014.

CAPTAIN HARLOCK ‘ARCADIA’: SPACE-COMBAT BATTLEWAGON KITS GALORE, PLUS THE MACROSS SAGA

Hasegawa’s Captain Harlock 'Arcadia' kit is not the first model of this futuristic warcraft by any means. There have been at least three kit versions, maybe four, plus at least one resin and one paper kit of this vessel.

HERE’S A KIT FOR SCI-FI AND ANIME FANS: 1:1500 SCALE SPACE BATTLESHIP ‘ARCADIA’

Neat and shipshape - or perhaps it should be spaceshape - model kit of a Japanese anime sci-fi series interstellar war vessel.

VAN DAMME: DOES THE SPLITS IN EPIC STYLE BETWEEN TWO VOLVO TRUCKS

Bet there aren't too many model-makers who can even dream of equalling martial-arts expert Jean-Claude Van Damme's Volvo ultra-lithe super-split advert, but it's a fun-view anyway. Happy Boxing Day!

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM CHUCK NORRIS AND SCALE MODEL NEWS

Here's wishing all SMN readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May all your scale dreams come true - the bigger the kit, the better!

MIND-BOGGLING JAPANESE KITBASH: PLASTIC KITS TRANSFORM COMPUTER INNARDS TO MAKE AN AMAZING MINIATURE TECHSCAPE

Designer Hiroto Ikeuchi has produced something far out with this extraordinary conversion of a computer into a fantastic miniature world, mixing plastic kits with high-tech computer geekery.

HELO-ATTACK: TOP-LEVEL VISUAL EFFECTS USING A REVELL 1:48 SCALE MIL-24 HIND MODEL KIT

Excellent demo here from South African VFX-master Scott Newman. Being realistic, making a video this good might be beyond many of us, but no matter - it looks great and is something to aspire to.

JADE RABBIT ROBOT LANDS ON MOON: BUT HUMANS GOT THERE FIRST!

This movie dates back to the heady days of Apollo, when astronauts took the electric-powered Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) for a drive. The update here is to stabilise the video, allowing for a much better viewing experience.

MODEL CANNON BLOWS AWAY EVERYTHING IN ITS SIGHTS

Model engineer T Shamir’s brass mini-mortar operates on the same working principles as the full-size weapons of war dating from the 15th century.

ED ‘BIG DADDY ROTH FROM REVELL: RAT FINK FIGURE AND 'CRAZY PAINTING' GARAGE KIT TO 1:25 SCALE

Here’s a homage to the late, great ‘Big Daddy’ Ed Roth, king of the Customizers and creator of the bulging-eyed Rat Fink rodent. Excellent news for all custom car fans, it’s available now from Revell.

SUN, FUN AND MODEL KITS: HAMEX 5 SHOW REPORT

Sunday December 8, 2013, saw the fifth HaMeX show (Hanslope Model Expo) held in the village of Hanslope, North Bucks, UK. The day was chilly, but bright and dry, which can’t always be guaranteed for this time of year! Above, the new Batman Tumbler from Moebius was built on a suitably grimy Gotham city diorama by Mat Irvine, then loaned to Tony James for his stand.

HUNGRY ROBOTS HEAD FOR HAMEX: K-9 CAFE FEATURES AT THE ANNUAL SWAPMEET AND MODEL SHOW

It’s December again, and that means another HaMeX Swapmeet and Model Show, to be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013, in Hanslope, UK.

MILITARY VEHICLES COLLECTION: WORLD WAR II SERIES TO DIECAST-STANDARD 1:43 SCALE FROM EAGLEMOSS

Here’s another partwork collectible from the publisher, Eaglemoss. For enthusiasts of scale militaria, this World War II series could be a tempter, especially as the models themselves seem to be well made.

FRENCHMAN AT IPMS MODELWORLD 2013: TAKES PIX OF THE EXCELLENT MODELS ON SHOW

French model fan JC Carbonel was hard at work during his visit to the IPMS ModelWorld 2013 recently. His pictures show a kaleidoscopic range of model choices, and highlight the hugely high level of craft skills on display.