HASEGAWA Ma.K SCI-FI SERIES ‘NUTCRACKER’ HOVER-TANK FLOATS ACROSS OUR MODEL SHELF

David Jefferis discusses

Long-term readers will know how enthusiastic we are of science-fiction models, and in particular the Hasegawa kits featuring the Ma.K (Maschinen Krieger) sci-fi universe, first created in the 1980s by Japanese artist Kow Yokoyama. Ma.K is set in the 2800s, with a storyline based on the fighting between various factions as the Earth repopulates after a nuclear war.

Hover-tank ahead

Thanks to Hasegawa, Ma.K models continue to be released, and now we have one with real appeal for armoured fighting vehicle fans. The 1:35 scale PKH 103 Nutcracker hover-tank is a neatly crafted addition to the Ma. K range, and a delight for all sci-fi buffs, with bolts-and-rivets steampunk overtones into the bargain. As envisaged, the Nutcracker (once named ‘Nutrocker’ btw) is a robotic AFV with no humans aboard - but to make up for that lack, Hasegawa supplies a pair of new-tool troopers wearing armoured Battle Suits. These are works of model art in their own right, and will reward extra care with the brushwork - and like the Nutcracker, are an absolute natural for the war-weary scarred and weathered look.

REVELL STAR WARS SLAVE 1 UNBOXING

David Jefferis reports
Science fiction model makers have a hotline to spacecraft of all kinds with Revell’s easykit range, and here’s one of the more recent ones to fly through the SMN Towers airlock. The Slave 1 is, as all Star Wars fans know well, the personal craft of interstellar bounty hunter Boba Fett, and it’s certainly one of the more unusually styled craft in the long-running sci-fi saga.

As the unboxing video shows, I was pretty impressed with the kit contents. However it’s fair to say that the build I did after the video was made had its share of problems, in particular gaps around the nose-cone, poor-fitting chin cannon, and difficulty in assembling the side ‘wings’. To do a decent job you have to resort to your craft skills, forget the ‘easy’ bit, and treat Slave 1 to a dose of TLC. Even then, it’s best to fix those pesky wings in place rather than allow them to rotate freely.

Having said that, the potential is there for a spectacular addition to the sci-fi model shelf, and even in Revell’s pre-painted colour scheme, Slave 1 looks pretty good when finished. I’m going to be giving the craft a thorough customization when I get a chance, and will post the results for all to see. At present, I’m thinking along the lines of a pre-Boba craft, heavily armed and armoured for anti-pirate operations, colour scheme a stealthy midnight black - maybe. A definite addition will be a set of landing legs - it just doesn’t look right with that big egg-shaped lower section sitting flat upon the deck!

All in all, an interesting sci-fi kit. Be prepared for more than a simple slot-together 30-minute job, but don’t let that put you off - a little work will result in an excellent model.

The pictures show, top to bottom:
1, 2, 3 The assembled Slave 1 in Revell colours. The tail cannon rotate freely, and the overall appearance is good, though there are gaps in the nose-cone.
4 Underbelly view, showing the neatly-weathered engine exhausts. The chin dish has a pair of side-firing cannon, but these need cementing into place. One has already fallen out in this pic.

The Revell Slave 1 is available from model stores and online suppliers, including Amazon at a small discount here.

WEIRD WHEELS - WHY DOES REVELL SUPPLY THEM?

As you may have realised by now, we’re fans of today’s non-cement snap-together kits. For the ham-fisted or time-poor, they’re a great way to assemble a model at the speed of light, yet be able to add some finishing touches - a touch of weathering, say - to turn it into a personalised statement that’s a long way from being a toy.

We’re enthusiasts of Revell’s Easykits, especially the Star Wars hardware. The 1:100 scale aircraft from Revell are reasonable takes on the real thing, if simplified somewhat. The Panavia Tornado IDS (box, top pic) is beautifully pre-finished in Tiger Meet markings, with a tailfin and rudder that form, quite simply, a small work of art. Components are neatly presented on two runners (middle pic), and need only a little fine trimming when twisted off. The clear canopy is supplied separately in its own bag, so there’s no chance of scratches in the box.

So... after all that care and effort producing the rest of the kit, just WHY Revell, do you supply three crummy bits of inaccurate plastic purporting to be the undercarriage of this Euro-attacker? The parts (bottom) bear no relationship to any aircraft flying today, and what’s worse, are supplied as standard issue with other aircraft in the range, such as the bright orange F-4 Phantom II. It’s bizarre!

Of course, assemble this Tornado in cleaned-up flying condition, and it will look just fine, though you’ll have to provide your own stand. Score: Components 7/10, Markings 9/10, Wheels 0/10.

There's a good range of Easykits to inspect here.