WORST MOVIE EVER? ‘PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE’ PROVIDES INSPIRATION FOR 1:48 SCALE DIORAMA BASE, COMPLETE WITH POLICEMAN-GHOUL RISING FROM THE DEAD

The 1959 movie Plan 9 From Outer Space is often described as the worst science-fiction movie ever made, or even the worst movie - period. However, it has gained a certain cachet of its own, witness this Skyhook Models 1:48 scale diorama base, designed to be used with the Lindberg Flying Saucer, as used in the movie.

FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP RACER: SEBASTIAN VETTEL’S RED BULL RENAULT TO 1:24 SCALE

Another excellent motor racing kit from Revell, this is a neatly-executed 1:24 scale Renault Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car, as driven by World Champion driver, Sebastian Vettel.

MORE RARE GEMS FROM THE FLIXTON AIR MUSEUM

Part Two of our visit to Flixton's Air Museum, deep in the heart of Suffolk, UK. Above, shades of the early Airfix kit, a Bristol Bloodhound missile stands aimed at the sky, looking ready for its original task, knocking Soviet bombers out of the air.

FLIXTON AIR MUSEUM: WONDERFULLY NOSTALGIC MOMENTS WITH THIS RECREATED MODEL MAKER’S DEN FROM THE OLD DAYS

HERE'S A LOOK at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum - aka ‘Flixton’ to locals. The place is a rare gem: it's far from the biggest air collection, but has rarities to match even the biggest museums out there.

AARGH - THE INTERNET IS CANCELLED!

Well, things are not quite as bad as that, but recent connectivity issues have meant that it's been impossible to upload pictures. So apologies from the SMN Crew - hang on in there and we'll be posting again ASAP.

MAX MARKS FOR THE MODEL MARKET

The first-ever Model Market hit the public on February 2, as an experiment to see how successful such a show could be so early in the year. It was run by HaMeX, the group of model shows based in Hanslope, UK, and run by master-modelmaker Mat Irvine and supplies-meister Paul Fitzmaurice.

SCALE MODEL CHALLENGE: INSPIRATION FOR A BEETLE RETRO-VAN KIT-BASH

The VW Beetle - or Fusca as it’s known in Brazil - is by anyone’s standards an iconic vehicle. Love it or hate it, the rounded shape is instantly recognisable the world over.

MACH-BUSTING IN THE WILD BLUE YONDER: BELL X-1B FROM GLENCOE MODELS

This 1:48 scale Glencoe kit is a reissue of an original Strombecker production dating back to 1958. It's a simple kit, and the moulding is not exactly up to modern standards. But it is accurate overall, and it is the only injection plastic X-1B to this scale - and a brand-new decal sheet is included, which really sets off the finished model.

STEPHEN KING’S ‘CHRISTINE’ PLYMOUTH FURY: BACK FROM THE DEAD WITH THIS AMT REISSUE

This Plymouth Fury kit is a reissue of AMT’s 1:25 scale 1958 Plymouth Belvedere, first released in 2002. This was a new-tool kit at that time, using modern features such a separate chassis and underside detail, unlike the classic ‘annual’ kits that had just started to be issued in 1958. These had a one-piece chassis with built-in detail such as axles, suspension and exhausts.

BIG SUB: GERMAN TYPE IXC TO 1:72 SCALE

A great subject for diorama fans, the Revell Type IXC World War II U-Boat is produced to model aircraft-standard 1:72 scale.

MARS ON YOUR TABLETOP: LEGO CURIOSITY ROVER ON SALE AT ONLINE STORE

The LEGO NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover has landed, and is now online to order direct.

FROM FILM TO DIGITAL: KEITH McNEILL RAISES THE ART OF SCALE-MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY TO NEW HEIGHTS

Here’s an in-depth article from Keith McNeill, a master of not only model-making, but also the art of studio photography and Photoshop.

2014 LONDON TOY FAIR: RECENT REVELATIONS FROM REVELL

Revell was a major model-kit force at the 2014 London Toy Fair. A number of new 2014 kits had already been revealed at IPMS Scale ModelWorld 2013, but Revell still had plenty of interesting new kits to show at the LondonToy Fair.

STEAMPUNK OR RETRO-FUTURE?: WHO CARES, THIS SCI-FI TRAIN RACE MIGHT CONJURE UP SOME IDEAS FOR AN OFF-THE-RAILS KITBASH

Here's a fun few minutes from Russian CGI outfit, Digital Light Studio. We'd like to see versions of these locomotives running on scale tracks, modded from Hornby or Bachmann originals.

LONDON TOY FAIR 2014: POCKET-SIZE MINIATURE MODELS FROM POCKETBOND

Pocketbond deals with an eclectic range of items, from toys and games, through to kits proper. It is the main agent for Trumpeter and Academy in the UK, and also imports Pegasus Hobbies, Imex, Roden, AFV Club, and a host of smaller companies.

LONDON TOY FAIR 2014: SCALE MINIATURES FROM OXFORD DIECAST

Oxford Diecast is one of the few specialist model car companies that attend the London Toy Fair. Oxford deals primarily with British vehicles, made to the 1:76 scale used by the UK model railway industry.

2014 LONDON TOY FAIR REPORT: BATTLEFRONT MINIATURES FOR WARGAMERS AND MORE

Wargaming is a very large sub-section of modelling in general, so much so that it can really be treated completely separately as there are elements of board games, tactics and strategy, as well as modelling skills.

THUNDERBIRD 6 MOVIE DUE MAY 2014: OPP TO PAINT AIRFIX TIGER MOTH IN JAZZY STRIPES

Looking forward to the new Airfix Tiger Moth? Here's a chance to give it the unusual striped colours seen in the old Gerry Anderson movie Thunderbird 6.

LONDON TOY FAIR 2014 REPORT: AMERANG RETURNS AT FULL SPEED

After problems last year with its owner, the Modelzone chain, Amerang is back with a bang in 2014, which is excellent news for all, as it includes the Kosho diecast range (1:18 scale 1959 Le Mans Triumph above) and plenty on offer for lovers of science-fiction and fantasy miniatures.

MODEL STARS AT MODEL MARKET TOMORROW

A quickie reminder for UK model makers that the new Model Market show opens for just one day: tomorrow, Sunday February 2. All the info you need here.

INCOMING: NEW KITS FROM AIRFIX DUE FOR RELEASE IN 2014

Mat Irvine: The 2014 London Toy Fair took place over January 21-23 at the Olympia Conference Centre. As I reported for last year’s LTF, the show is primarily concerned with ‘toys’ so the venue was full of items such as electronic games, teddy bears, and extras wandering around dressed up as cartoon characters.