TREEMENDUS TREES AND OTHER MODEL-MAKING PRODUCTS BRING DIORAMAS TO LIFE

The wonderfully named Treemendus is a company run by Anthony Reeves that really does do 'what it says on the tin', as it is a supplier of all types of foliage, vegetation, and trees for modelling projects.

1914 RENAULT TAXI TO 1:35 SCALE FROM MACH 2 MODELS OF FRANCE

Here’s a neat little item that was first displayed at the 2014 Scale Model World show in Telford, UK. The 1:35 scale Taxi de la Marne was released by French manufacturer Mach 2, to commemorate the centenary of World War I.

HO HO HO - ’TIS THE SEASON TO MAKE MODELS OF SANTA, AND TO WISH ALL OUR READERS A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND SPLENDID FESTIVE BREAK

HERE’S A QUESTION you could ask a fellow model maker: “Has there ever been a model kit made of Santa Claus?

AIRFIX 2015 - 1:48 SCALE ALBION REFUELLER TRUCK

HERE'S AN UNUSUAL and delightful kit to look forward to, a 1:48 scale Albion AM463 refueller truck. When assembled, the Albion should be suitable for any diorama featuring British warplanes of World War II. 

AIRFIX 2015 - NEW KITS TO KEEP YOU BUSY ALL YEAR

GREAT NEWS FROM AIRFIX today, with news of incoming kits for 2015. The big news for SMN is the 1:72 scale Avro Shackleton, shown here in cgi visuals.

WINDOW OF WONDERS - MAT'S MARVELLOUS MODEL MUSEUM

WE TOOK A LOOK through the window of Mat Irvine's 'Marvellous Model Museum' recently, and here are just a few of the pre-Christmas miniatures we saw there.

THEO JANSEN'S EXTRAORDINARY STRANDBEEST - MECHANICAL CREATURES STROLLING ALONG BY THE SEA SHORE

DUTCH ARTIST-MODEL MAKER THEO JANSEN has been creating various mobile creations he calls Strandbeest for decades. Over the years, Theo has tweaked his mechanical creatures to the point where they can now react to their environment in a realistically lifelike way.

GET YOUR LIFE FIXED IN A BOX - MONDAY SMILE FROM JOHN HOLCROFT

ILLUSTRATOR JOHN HOLCROFT'S artwork style has a 1950s-era retro flavour, and here he echoes one of rising stars of that time, Airfix, with this satirical take on modern life's need for instant gratification.

AIRFIX ANIMATED ADVENT CALENDAR - CLICK FOR COUNTDOWN OFFERS

THE ELVES AT AIRFIX have been working hard to produce this neat online Advent Calendar.

JUST PLAIN FOLKS? NO, WE ARE THE MUNSTERS - AND THIS IS A 1:9 SCALE KIT OF HERMAN

The Munsters TV series was made in the mid-1960s, and in back and white at that, but the story of America’s weirdest family is still intriguingly popular.

SEA THRU SEAPLANE - REPUBLIC SEABEE IN MINIATURE

THE REPUBLIC SEABEE IS AN unusual pusher-prop amphibian. And the 1:48 scale Glencoe Seabee kit is unusual too, for its transparent plastic components.

I'VE JUST SEEN A GHOST! THE PHANTOM MUSTANG FLIES IN FROM MONOGRAM

BACK WHEN 1:32 SCALE seemed an enormous model aircraft scale, the Monogram P-51D Phantom Mustang offered a truly unique extra, apart from sheer size - and that was in being transparent.

ROCKET REVISITED - REVELL SATURN V DATES BACK TO THE MOON MISSION DAYS, 46 YEARS AGO

THE 1:144 SCALE REVELL SATURN V is a reissue of a kit first produced by Monogram in 1968, released just as the giant rocket was making its first flights.

THE WEATHERING MAGAZINE - FULL OF ULTRA-USEFUL TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SCALE SUPER-REALISM

GOOD WEEKEND READING that should make those winter evening model-making sessions much more productive. It's a special online edition of a publication called 'The Weathering Magazine.'

HAMEX 6 MODEL SHOW THIS SUNDAY

THE HAMEX 6 MODEL SHOW takes off once more in Hanslope, UK, this Sunday, November 30, 2014. The show will be masterminded by the boss of modelling tools, paints and accessories, Paul Fitzmaurice.

BLACK FRIDAY BARGAINS - EXCELLENT MARKDOWN PRICES FROM AIRFIX

AIRFIX IS MAKING OUR MODELLING somewhat cheaper this week. The Black Friday Sale has started, and there are some amazing bargains to be had, direct from the Airfix website.

GORGEOUS RETRO BOX ART FOR THE RENWAL TWIN-FORTY SELF-PROPELLED ANTI-AIRCRAFT CANNON

WE ARE GREAT FANS OF OLD KITS AND retro-style box art at SMN, so news that Revell is re-releasing the old Renwal M42 Twin Forty AFV is very interesting indeed.

USEFUL AND UNUSUAL 1:48 SCALE ISUZU TX40 FUEL TANKER

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT MODELS FROM THE WORLD WAR II era will look good on display, when backed up by this Isuzu TX40 fuel truck group from Hasegawa.

CLASSIC AMERICAN DINER FROM STONEY CREEK DESIGNS

STONEY CREEK DESIGNS are run by Roger Malinowski, author of many enthusiast articles and creator of notable railroad layouts. Roger has done design work for various manufacturers, and some years ago decided to manufacture his own Stoney Creek product line, with an aim to build a variety of structure kits to 1:48 quarter-scale.

GERMAN JET - ME 262 ONLINE REFERENCE FOR MODEL MAKERS

THE MESSERSCHMITT ME 262 was a high point of World War II Luftwaffe air power. Faster than anything else in the sky, the jet had the potential for taking command of the air.

WHEN MOVIES USED SCALE MODELS INSTEAD OF COMPUTERS

The US movie effects company ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) is coming up to its 40th birthday, due in May 2015. Formed in May 1975 by George Lucas, ILM has made groundbreaking special effects (SFX) for many big-name movies, including the scenes from Star Trek: Heart of Darkness seen in the video above.

MORE MODELS FROM IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD 2014

HERE IS A SECOND SET OF photos, taken by Mat Irvine at IPMS Scale ModelWorld 2014, in Telford, UK.

IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD 2014 - COMPETITION WINNERS

HERE IS AN OVERVIEW of winning models for the 2014 Scale ModelWorld, held recently at Telford, UK.

AIRFIX GOES HIGH-TECH FOR NEW 2015 KITS

AT THE 2014 IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD SHOW Airfix released details of a new super-accurate laser scanning system for creating data used to create upcoming model kits.

IPMS MODELWORLD 2014 - DISPLAY OF REMEMBRANCE DAY MODELS

FIRST WORLD WAR 'Remembering 1914-1918' display at IPMS ModelWorld 2014. 

COMBAT SHIPBUILDERS LAUNCH HERE - REVELL 1:144 SCALE AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE SHIP

MATCHING THE MODEL AIRLINER STANDARD 1:144 scale, the US Navy LSM (Landing Ship Medium) is a new-tool kit of an important World War II amphibious warfare craft.

REVELL 'MAGAZIN' - NUMBER 2 EDITION AVAILABLE NOW

THE LATEST ISSUE of this interesting publication is online now. 'Revell Magazin' is well worth a look, especially in this digital format. 

MILITARY MANIA FROM ITALERI - PLENTY OF KITS INCOMING

PRIDE OF PLACE in the latest Italeri release list is a 1:35 scale Vosper MTB, finished in the markings of the combined raid on the St Nazaire shipyards, France, in March 1942.

RADIO CONTROL GUNSHIP FROM THE SCI-FI MOVIE AVATAR

GOOD STUFF THIS though note the model is not an exact replica. But squint a little and it looks really good - and it flies! Enjoy the video.

DIARY FREE? THEN LOOK FORWARD TO SCALE MODELWORLD 2014

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR again for model fans within reach of Telford, UK, where the IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society) holds Scale ModelWorld, the annual IPMS (UK) mega-bash show.

KIT BASH IDEA - THE BAE SYSTEMS TRANSFORMER DELTA-THREE CONCEPT

NEAT CONCEPT HERE from BAE Systems, and one that could be a relatively easy project for future-flyer fans.

iHOBBY 2014 - BEST OF THE REST

Here’s a last look at the 2014 iHobby Expo, Chicago. It’s roundup time for the best of the rest, kicked off with this handsome 1:25 scale Ford Torino car kit.

CGI VISUALS MAKE A TEMPTING TARGET FOR HELO ENTHUSIASTS

Attractive cgi visuals from Kitty Hawk trail the upcoming 1:48 scale Bell Huey Model UH-1Y Super Huey or Venom.

IRON HORSE RIDES IN MINIATURE

Although I would usually say that the automobile in all its forms comes tops in American modelling interest, I’m really talking about purely ‘static’ models. When it comes to anything that actually moves, that qualification has to go to model railroads.

GORGEOUS FRENCH MODELS - SCALE MODELS OF COURSE

French publisher-cum-model producer Editions Atlas has some very interesting miniatures available at the moment.

ROUND 2 ROUNDUP - MORE KITS INCOMING FOR 2014-2015

Incoming, a mouthwatering set of models from Round 2, due for release over the next 12 months or so.

2015 INCOMING - SPACE 1999 SCI-FI KITS FROM ROUND 2 MODELS, AND MORE BESIDES

The Round 2 model spectrum includes not only the AMT, MPC and Polar Lights brands, but now features the Lindberg and Hawk names as well.

MARVELS FROM MOEBIUS - SNEAK PEEK AT 2014-2015 KITS TO COME

Here’s a look at what Moebius Models is planning for the coming 12 months, as seen at this year’s iHobby Expo at the Schaumberg Conference Center, near Chicago.

FLYING HORSE AT iHOBBY EXPO 2014 - PEGASUS HOBBIES REVEALS SCI-FI KITS

Pegasus Hobbies continues with its eclectic range of kits, expanding on a range of subjects that includes plenty of science-fiction kits, many of them original Pegasus designs.

EXCELLENT MODEL REFERENCE - MV-22 OSPREY AND AV-8B HARRIER AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

VIDEO CAPTURED IN JUNE, 2014 shows US Marine Corps aircraft carrying out air-to-air refuelling.

SWEDISH BEAUTY FROM KITTY HAWK MODELS - 1:48 SCALE SAAB GRIPEN

THE SAAB GRIPEN is our favourite fighter. We reckon it's the best of the so-called 'fourth generation' combat types out there, at least in cost/benefit terms. And now Kitty Hawk Models have a 1:48 scale kit on release.

iHOBBY EXPO 2014 - IMPRESSIONS OF THIS YEAR'S SHOW FROM MAT IRVINE

The iHobby Expo 2014 returned to the Schaumberg Convention Center near Chicago on October 2-5. This was its second year there, and my second trip too. I went with colleague Dean Milano, who at one point worked for Revell-Monogram.

IPMS SANTA MARIA MAGAZINE - MODEL MAG FULL OF INFORMATION

More excellent online reading with the IPMS Santa Maria Magazine. It's packed with interesting articles, and plenty of closeup pix of builds and details.

MILITARY MACHINES AT FORT HOOD - GREAT REFERENCE FOR MODELLERS

If you are a model maker, a trip round a museum almost certainly reveals examples of machinery you recognise, even if your only connection to it has been in miniature form.

MASTER MODEL MAKERS FROM RUSSIA MAKE A MINIATURE AIR SHOW

The primary reason for attending an air show is usually to gaze upward at the skies and see what aerobatic delights the organisers have put on for your delectation. But there is often much more to see…

ALL JAPAN MODEL AND HOBBY SHOW 2014 - VIDEO UPDATE FROM HLJ

HERE'S AN EXCELLENT VIDEO UPDATE from Shizuoka, presented by Hobby Link Japan (HLJ). There is plenty to see on this half-hour video - from aircraft to tanks, they're all on view.

DREAM MACHINE FROM THE SILVER SCREEN - AMT 1:25 SCALE ELVIS PRESLEY DUNE BUGGY

Round 2 continues to mine its back catalogue to reissue many of the older ‘Cars of the Stars’, while adding some new ones. This is one of the latter - in this form at least - as it originated as a much older AMT kit of the classic Meyers Manx Dune Buggy.

'SUPER MODELS - SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED' EXHIBITION AT THE TIME AND TIDE MUSEUM, GREAT YARMOUTH

IF YOU'RE IN EAST ANGLIA then a trip to Great Yarmouth is a must, as a 'Super Models' exhibition is being held at the Time and Tide Museum, an inspirational place that's converted from a piece of Yarmouth's heritage past, a building that was once used to smoke herrings.

HUNDREDS OF AIRCRAFT MODELS AT FLIXTON AIR MUSEUM

HERE'S A CHANCE to have a quick look at the Norfolk and Suffolk Air Museum, at Flixton, near Bungay, Suffolk, UK. Outside, there are plenty of preserved aircraft to look at, but for scale fans, it's the indoor displays that hold the real treasures.

MODEL BUILDER INTERNATIONAL - THE REAL SITE

EDITOR KENNY CONKLIN tells us that the site showing his excellent Model Builder International isn't quite the real deal. As in, someone's posted it without permission. But all's well, you can still read MBI online.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK INTO AN ALADDIN'S CAVE OF MINIATURES - MAT'S MARVELLOUS MODEL MUSEUM

Here's a invitation to have a look inside Mat Irvine's palace of small wonders, his Marvellous Model Museum. It's packed with just about every model kit you have ever heard of - and plenty that you haven't...

BEAUTIFUL BIG BIRD - 1:72 SCALE DIECAST AVRO VULCAN FROM CORGI

THIS LOOKS TO BE QUITE A BEAST from diecast manufacturer, Corgi. And the video interview shows that there's been useful cross-fertilisation from Airfix during the design process.

MODEL BUILDER INTERNATIONAL - A TASTY ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR YOU TO READ

According to Editor Kenny Conklin, "Our hobby is not about gluing plastic parts together. Scale modeling has evolved into a three dimensional replication of a historical subject..."

Important: if the link above is dead, click here for the genuine thing, as approved by the Editor.

HOME OF THE MUNSTERS - 1:87 SCALE SPOOKY MONSTER HOUSE KIT FROM MOEBIUS MODELS

Inspired by the original Aurora kit of the monstrous Addams Family, this Moebius Models production of 1313 Mockingbird Lane is something that Aurora might have made as a kit, way back when.

AMT FORD RANCHERO - CLASSIC 1:25 SCALE FORD RANCHERO PICKUP FROM THE HIPPY AGE

THE AMT 1960 FORD RANCHERO is a 1:25 scale model that first appeared as an ‘annual’ kit in 1961. This particular Ranchero is a 1960 version, but pickups didn’t change as much as sedans from year to year.

TWO SPACE SHUTTLES RETURN - AS SCALE MODELS FROM REVELL

HERE ARE REISSUES of two Revell kits from the Space Shuttle age, the Boeing 747 SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) and (above) the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis. Both kits are to 1:144 scale.