JERSEY AIR SHOW - TASTY STUFF FOR AIR FANS

Sad to say, the pretty little 1:72 scale de Havilland Heron airliner depicted on this old Airfix box-top wasn't at the 2012 Jersey Air Show, either in model form or the real thing. But there were plenty of elderly aircraft flying at the display held a couple of weeks ago.

SHIZUOKA 2012 - HOT STUFF FROM TAMIYA

SMN update:

Shizuoka 2012 sees the Japanese model companies at their best, showing off a fantastic range of new and retooled products to delight us all. And leading the charge is Tamiya, with a galaxy of mouthwatering models.

SEARCH THE SKIES! - LUNADIVER STINGRAY ON MOON ATTACK MISSION

SMN report:

Researching the upcoming 51st Shizuoka Hobby Show means we’ve bumped into all sorts of good stuff, and that includes these ace shots of the Hasegawa 1:35 scale Lunadiver Stingray spacecraft, complete with a pair of space-combat troopers.

ROBOTS ON THE MARCH IN JAPAN

SMN report:

We’ll be fascinated to see how many robots will be on display at Japan’s Shizuoka Hobby Show on May 17-20. They’ll probably number in their hundreds, from a host of toy, figure, and kit manufacturers, including Fine Molds, whose 1:20 scale robot shown here comes from the anime fantasy movie Laputa: Castle in the Sky.

UPCOMING - 51st SHIZUOKA HOBBY SHOW THIS MONTH

SMN report:

Last year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show was held not long after Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, so let's extend good wishes to Japan and for no similar shadow over the show this year. The doors are open for the 51st Hobby Show on May 17-20, and it’s a biggie, held in Shizuoka, the self-styled Japanese ‘Hobby City’.

MAKE TRACKS TOMORROW FOR AUTOMODELLISMO

It's the second Automodellismo show, and it's bigger and better than ever. Here's a taster for the world of miniature motors - and we're looking forward to seeing you there.

ROLLING THUNDER! START YOUR ENGINES FOR AUTOMODELLISMO 2012

SMN report:

Automodellismo is the only UK show specializing in model cars, and 2012 sees the second day-event held at Hanslope Village Hall, north of Milton Keynes, Bucks. Automodellismo 2012 is run by SMN Model-Meister Mat Irvine, and Auto-Ace Paul Fitzmaurice of little-cars. Mark your diary now, as the show runs for just one day only, Sunday April 15, 2012.

INCOMING - 2012 AIRFIX CLUB MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109 IN UNUSUAL MARKINGS

SMN report:

It’s time for the annual kit release made especially for members of the worldwide Airfix Club. Each year’s kit is an exclusive release, so if you want one, then joining the Club is the way to go. The 2012 kit is a fascinating one - it’s based on the Airfix 1:48 scale Messerchmitt Bf 109E, and the ‘exclusive’ part is the supplied decal set that provides markings for two extremely interesting aircraft.

2012 LONDON OLYMPICS TAXI TIE-IN FROM CORGI

SMN report

Here’s one for the keen London Olympics 2012  collectibles lover, a 40-strong range of London taxis, each one decorated with graphics representing a different sport. The taxis are small, about 1:64 scale, and are very basic in appearance and detail - you get wheels, windows, a simple interior, but that’s about it apart from painted lights, grille, and an attractive mini-box. 

Olympics 2012

The appeal is in the Olympic connection, which is fair enough, but it does rather raise the question:  why is it that ‘popular attraction’ collectible models are, almost without exception, produced down to a price, rather than being a life-affirming ‘best they can be’? Pocket money purchases and casual buying are probably the answers to the question, but how nice it would be if a few more items of tourist tat were tourist treasures instead.