ACES HIGH - 21 NEW DIECAST RELEASES FROM HOBBY MASTER IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS 2011

SMN report:

Hobby Master’s December release list looks positively mouthwatering, with diecast collectibles available in no less than four scales.

Smallest scale first

Here we have a trio of 1:200 scale airliners, with two of them especially interesting subjects from the golden age of propliners. The Douglas DC-6B competed with the shapelier Lockheed Constellation, but was the excellent workhorse with which PanAm started its transatlantic tourist-class service, in 1952. HM’s DC-6B is finished in American Airlines markings - plain metal overall, accented by a red AA lightning strip along the fuselage sides.

MODEL CAR EYE CANDY WEEKEND

SMN Review:

We thought you'd like to share some pix taken at the Automodellismo Show this summer. The overall level of entries to the show (and to be in with a chance to win the Spark Plug Trophy) was very high, as you will see. Note: we seem to have the slideshow feature working again, so after you have clicked to read on, just click any pic to see the enlarged version - then use left and right arrows to view more. To exit, click the 'x' at top right. Enjoy!

OTTOMOBILE SEXY CITROEN READY NOW

SMN report:

Here’s a new 1:18 scale resin-based model from the French OttOmobile company that’s on release this month. It’s a rally-racer Citroen, the model based on a hot-to-trot Citroen SM from the 1970s. This car starred in the African Bandama Rally of 1973, the year after the race had been stopped for lack of vehicles - there were no finishers at all that year!

UNBOXING THE DRAGON 1:72 SCALE APOLLO 11 SPACECRAFT

Mat Irvine looks inside:

Model companies can spring surprises, and such was the case when Hong Kong-based Dragon recently announced brand new 1:72 scale kits in of the Apollo craft. Anyone familiar, even in passing, with kits of space subjects will be bound to know of the Airfix Apollo Lunar Module. It was first released many years ago, but was recently reissued with updated painting instructions and details (by me!) to correct the colour scheme, which since the very beginning has been wrong. (Or maybe ‘not quite right’…)

AMAZING SEAT FOR YOUR MODELMAKER’S DEN

SMN report:

Here's an ejection seat from a Royal Navy Buccaneer strike bomber, cleaned up and mounted on a custom metal frame. Just the thing for a talking point at a gathering of modelmakers -  or for reference in superdetailing that latest model!

WIN A BATTLE OF KURSK TANK DIORAMA FROM CORGI

SMN report:

Here’s a chance to win a two-tank battle diorama set from Corgi. The set is from the World War II Collection, and features a 1:50 scale Panzer VI Tiger I swapping rounds with a Red Army T34/76, portrayed as they might have looked during the Battle of Kursk, 1943. Packed in their big box, the pair make a hefty item, weighing in at some 5 kg (11 lb).

DRAGON 1:72 SCALE SEA VIXEN

SMN report:

Here’s an unusual early jet-age choice from Hong Kong’s Dragon, a 1:72 scale de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW1. Coming so soon after the 1:48 scale kit from Airfix, does this one measure up to that bigger kit?

51st ALL-JAPAN HOBBY SHOW 2011

SMN report:

“Heaven on a half-pipe” is a skateboarding colleague’s description of this show, the 51st All-Japan Mokei (Japanese word for ‘Model’) Hobby Show, held on 13-16 October at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan. 

Today is the last day of this mega-display of talent in the miniatures world, where companies vie to present new products, especially those being released over the next few months. Here’s a snapshot of what’s on the menu.

PT-17 KAYDET BIPLANE TRAINER FROM HOBBY MASTER

SMN report:

Just coming into stores now is Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Boeing-Stearman PT-17 biplane. The original was widely used during the 1930s and 1940s, with nearly 9800 built in all. After World War II, thousands were released onto the civil market and used for joy-rides, cropdusting and by private sports pilots. The two-seater is still around today, and many remain in flying condition.

LEONARDO DA VINCI ROTATABLE CRANE FROM REVELL

Mat Irvine looks at the work of a master:

One of the modelling surprises over the last year has been the revival of interest in Leonardo da Vinci’s creations. It was tried in the past, most significantly by AMT in the 1970s, when the company issued three Leonardo kits. But the series did not take off, and a proposed second batch of three kits was abandoned. Perhaps the modelling world was simply not ready for the Renaissance Man, but now we seemingly can’t get enough of him!

STAR TREK KITS ON MARK-DOWN SALE THIS WEEK AT FANTASTIC PLASTIC

SMN report:

We’re a bit tardy with this info, but there’s still time to bag a bargain. Fantastic Plastic, which styles itself as: “The Virtual Museum of Flying Wonders!” certainly gets our vote for creating and marketing the widest range of rare and odd machinery, both real and fictional.

There’s plenty to choose from in the sale, though as we’re in Star Trek mode just now, there are three kits that look particularly interesting.

MODELZONE RANGE ONLINE, PLUS FREE AIRFIX OFFER

The UK chain ModelZone has a new catalogue available to view online. According to the front page, “over 130 brands and more than 10,000 products” are available, which sounds good to us. ModelZone stores are fascinating ports of call, but if there isn’t one near you, or you’re not in the UK, then the internet is the place to have a look.

SUPER-DETAILED SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH TOWER

SMN report:

The Space Shuttle is dead... so long live the Space Shuttle. Only in the model world, that is, but an interesting set of superdetail kits has just been released by the Dutch company LVM to help relive those days of Shuttles roaring off the launch pad. The kits are designed to integrate with the 1:144 scale Revell Launch Tower kit, first released back in the mid-1980s. They offer a mixture of metal-etch and plastic parts, which combine to add a real air of authenticity to the basic kit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIR FRANCE, 78 YEARS OLD TODAY

SMN report:

Air France is one of the world’s grand old airlines, with a history going back to 1933, when it was formed from the merger of five smaller French airlines. It has added two more French airlines since then, and is now merged with the Dutch airline KLM. The huge company currently flies a mixture of more than 250 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

SALUTE TO STEVE JOBS, FOUNDER OF APPLE

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs has passed away. 

Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We cannot say better than these words from Tim Cook, CEO of Apple:

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”

Scale Model News is made possible with Apple equipment, so thank you Steve.

STAR TREK FROM REVELL - TEST SHOTS OF FEDERATION AND KLINGON STARSHIPS

SMN report:

Like Star Wars, the Star Trek universe just keeps rolling on, with new movies, collectibles, and now, more scale models from Revell. Due to hit the stores shortly are these two fine spacecraft models, both to 1:600 scale, making them a decent size when constructed, and - interestingly - to a scale that means they are common with a great many ocean-going ship models, though sad to say, not Revell’s own USS Enterprise aircraft carriers, which are to 1:720 and 1:1200 scales.

MODEL ARMY AT IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM DUXFORD

David Jefferis reports:

We recently made an SMN Crew trip to Britain’s largest air museum, near the university city of Cambridge. Imperial War Museum Duxford (just ‘Duxford’ to most of us) is a droolworthy destination for anyone with even the slightest interest in aviation. Apart from the dozens of beautifully preserved aircraft to pore over, there are hangars full of restoration projects - from Mustang to Staggerwing, there’s plenty of choice for all. But IWM Duxford offers more...

FREE WALLPAPERS FROM CORGI TOYS

SMN report:

Corgi have something for diecast fans, in the form of a bunch of downloadable wallpaper images of some of their models.

Wallpaper options

Each image is available in several sizes, to fit popular computer screens. Here we feature the 1:48 scale Sopwith Camel (above), 1:72 scale Sea King, and 1:36 scale Mini. The wallpapers are a nice idea Corgi, but maybe - speaking with our purist-passion spectacles on - you might have chosen something other than the Mini. 

GO SURFIN’ SAFARI WITH A 1:25 SCALE REVELL FORD PICKUP

Cruising with Mat Irvine:

Go and dig out your copy of Surfin’ Safari by The Beach Boys, original LP in mono, as their early albums were recorded in mono. Brian Wilson was already partially deaf in one ear, making stereo recording a bit redundant from his point of view.

SPACEX BOSS SAYS - MARS HERE WE COME! MEANTIME, HERE’S A FREE MODEL MARS ROCKET

SMN report:

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed the planet Mars as his long-term goal during a speech on 29 September at the US National Press Club. Already known for its Falcon rockets and Dragon space capsule, SpaceX is to make them reusable. The Falcon 9 will incorporate a descent module at the base, so that it can make a vertical soft landing, while the Dragon (above) will use its emergency-escape rockets as brakes on the journey back from space.