SCALE MODEL NEWS

INCOMING - SHORT STIRLING BOMBER TO 1:72 SCALE FROM CORGI

2012-02-14T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The team at Corgi has worked really hard with this new diecast 1:72 scale model of the World War II British heavy bomber, the Short Stirling. In fact, one of the UK’s two leading hardcopy diecast mags gives it a top-scoe 10/10 rating.

2012 INCOMING - GORGEOUS STEAMPUNK KITS FROM FICHTENFOO AND INDUSTRIA MECHANIKA

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Boy, there are some enviable kit-producing talents out there, and they are not just working with the mainstream companies, either. US modelmaker and web designer Michael Fichtenmayer is among those talents, and his FichtenFoo and Industria Mechanika websites bring us all manner of science-fiction delights, including this limited-edition model kit of Ralph McQue’s Remora, a sort of anti-gravity floating cargo ship. Orders are being taken now for this very limited release.

2012 KITBASH - FRENCH SNAIL AVAILABLE FOR STREET ROD CUSTOMIZING

2012-02-11T07:00:00.000Z

SMN weekender:

We ran a recent story on models of that odd-looking creation, the Citroen 2CV ‘tin snail’, and included an idea from Yasi Design for a custom version. The excellent 1:24 scale Revell kit (above) would make a good starting point. Since then, we’ve come across the 2CV art of a Photoshopper with the online name ‘Olli’. If you're into Citroen models, his work could inspire that next workbench creation.

LITTLE AND LARGE SCALE MODELS FROM TAMIYA

2012-02-10T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

We mentioned the 1:350 scale Yamato battleship last week, and now comes the question: “What about the crew?” The real thing needed nearly 2500 (yes, two-and-a-half thousand) crewmen to keep her in fighting trim, so it’s a matter of choice whether you display a ghost ship, or one that’s ready to steam in open water, mission to face the enemy. Tamiya has a solution for the latter choice - miniature crewmen made to the same 1:350 scale.

SUMMER SHOW FOR YOUR DIARY - WINGS & WHEELS MODEL SPECTACULAR

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000Z

SMN preview:

The ‘Wings & Wheels Model Spectacular’ (W&W) will be held this year over the weekend of June 23-24. The radio control (RC) show’s organizers describe it as: “A Modellers’ Paradise." And that’s fair enough, as W&W is reckoned to be the biggest UK event of its kind, and what’s more it’s now 26 years since the first show made its debut at North Weald airfield in Essex, north of London.

SPRING FAIR 2012 - TREASURE CHEST FOR COLLECTIBLES

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000Z

Spring Fair report from David Jefferis:

Another trade show that’s running this week is the UK’s Spring Fair, held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham. While not quite as massive as the Nuremberg Toy Fair, Spring Fair is still a major footslogger that attracts more than 70,000 visitors. It’s a mega-roundup of 300,000 offered products, ranging from goodies like coffeemakers and cooking gadgets, to art prints and jewellery. And neatly stirred into the mix are halls dedicated to toys and games, aka collectibles, hobbies, and models.

NUREMBERG TOY FAIR 2012 - A LOOK AT REVELL’S CRYSTAL BALL

2012-02-07T17:00:00.000Z

Nuremberg report:

The last few days have been busy ones in Germany, as the huge Nuremberg Toy Fair roared through its 62nd annual event. Closing the doors yesterday to more than 80,000 visitors and 70,000 new product announcements, the organizers reckon the show has once again been a big success.

FUJIMI ‘BLADE RUNNER’ SPINNER - BUILDUP REPORT

2012-02-07T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine update:

After my initial report on Fujimi’s surprise release of the 1:24 scale Spinner Police Car from the classic science-fiction movie Blade Runner, here’s how I worked to complete the model.

INCOMING - GREAT PLANES F-86 SABRE RADIO-CONTROL JET

2012-02-06T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

We’re not radio control (RC) experts here at SMN, but a chance meeting last weekend with the charming lady organizer of the UK’s biggest RC event had us thinking on the subject. So we had a look around to see what’s new in the world of RC stuff, and this Great Planes F-86 Sabre certainly looked the part.

TRIBUTE TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE FROM AIRFIX

2012-02-04T07:00:00.000Z

Weekend read from Mat Irvine:

As the last of the Airfix space launchers to receive a makeover, the updated 1:144 scale Space Shuttle was released to coincide with the last-ever Space Shuttle mission, STS-135 in July 2011, when the Orbiter Atlantis made its 33rd and final flight. So how did Airfix do with the makeover?

2012 INCOMING - 1:12 SCALE CITROEN 2CV FROM OTTOMOBILE

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Due soon from OttOmobile of France is a 1:12 scale model of a famous ‘ugly duckling’, the Citroen 2cv. The curious little machine was built from 1948-1990, during which time more than 3.5 million were produced. This OttO model is interesting for its portrayal of the rarest 2cv made, the twin-engine Safari.

2012 INCOMING - ‘BIG DOG’ HUNTER-KILLER ROBOT PROWLER

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

We reported on the upcoming ‘Grosser Hund’ Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K) sci-fi kit in October 2011, and now it’s here - big, bold and nasty, but apparently without a set of gnashing metal fangs. The Grosser Hund (‘Big Dog’) is the latest 1:20 scale kit from Hasegawa, featuring the science-fiction universe first created in the 1980s by the Japanese artist, Kow Yokoyama.

BATMOBILE TUMBLER MEGA-MODEL FROM SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

More Batmobilia today, with this totally over the top 1:6 scale Tumbler model from Sideshow Collectibles. This really is about the biggest, baddest, and best Tumbler we’ve come across so far.

JAPANESE BATTLESHIP ‘YAMATO’ - NEW-TOOL KIT FROM TAMIYA NOW AVAILABLE

2012-01-31T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Announced a few weeks ago, and now freely available, the mighty battleship Yamato from Tamiya is released in 1:350 scale. According to Tamiya, this is an all-new tooling of the ship, not a rehash of the previous Tamiya 1:350 scale kit.

SWAP F-35 FOR RAFALE OR TYPHOON?

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

News last week of continuing delays on the Lockheed Martin F-35 aircaft meant that at least one defence planner was losing sleep. UK Admiral Sir Trevor Soar was reported - inaccurately, apparently - by The Times of London, as thinking about the French Dassault Rafale (Revell kit above) and US Boeing F-18 Hornet as backup aircraft in case of further delays.

FORD FALCON RANCHERO - NEW LINE FROM CHINA'S TRUMPETER

2012-01-28T09:09:00.000Z

Weekend read from Mat Irvine:

The fact that this major Chinese model manufacturer has taken on established kit-makers at their own game is perhaps not a great surprise. China is responsible for producing a great deal of Western kit output anyway, so it wasn’t long before original kits started to appear.

FAMOUS BUILDINGS OF THE WORLD IN MINIATURE

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Earlier this week, we looked at matchstick-modeller Phil Warren's tabletop navy, and now we've been impressed by another modelmaker's dedication to duty. This time it's the work of Brian Bartlett, who has amassed a vast collection of card buildings, ranging from a miniature White House (above) to St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.

SUPERB HOT WHEELS 'GHOSTBUSTERS' CADILLAC

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

Over the years, there's been a never-ending waterfall of miniatures featuring the classic 1984 fantasy movie Ghostbusters. And here we go again with two more releases, though they are of the same subject, the Ecto-1 Cadillac ambulance, released in two scales.

2012 INCOMING - MORE FROM ITALERI

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Eurozone’s finances, the fact is that outfits like Italeri are still producing good stuff, and it looks like 2012 is shaping up to be a very interesting year for modelmakers. Here’s the latest batch of goodies from that sun-kissed land of pizza, pasta, luscious ladies, and (oh yes) model kits.

AMAZING TABLETOP NAVY CONSTRUCTED BY MODEL BOATBUILDER

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Modelmaker Phil Warren from the UK has spent some 62 years building an incredible fleet of 1:300 scale waterline model ships. So far, there are 432 vessels in in Phil’s Navy, and there’s not a kit-built example among them - for he makes his ships entirely of wooden matchsticks and their boxes. Most navies are represented in the collection - those of Italy, Russia, Spain, the US - they are all there, plus many others, and of course ships of the British Royal Navy figure very strongly.

2012 INCOMING - CHINESE COMBAT HELICOPTER FROM CHINA

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Next up from Dragon is this interesting 1:144 scale ‘Warbird Series’ kit of the PLA WZ-10 attack helicopter, the Chinese answer to Western types like the famed US-built Boeing AH-64 Apache. In layout, the WZ-10 is pretty standard, with a stepped tandem cockpit seating two crew: gunner in front, pilot behind. Flight controls are dualled to act as mutual backup, and the cockpit sides and bottom are protected by composite armour, as are the engines and fuselage fuel tank.

NASA DODGE CHARGER SUPERCAR - BUILT FOR TALKING DOWN ER-2 RESEARCH JET

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000Z

Weekend read from Mat Irvine:

Here’s an intriguing, and relatively quick, conversion for anyone interested - as I am - in both cars and space. Here the car is a 1:24 scale Lindberg Dodge Charger, while the space connection is actually an aircraft, a Lockheed Martin ER-2 flown by NASA on high-altitude flights on Earth resources and other research missions. I’ll come to the Charger kit shortly, but first some background information.

RUMPLER TWO-SEATER BIPLANE FROM WINGNUT WINGS

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

In our opinion, Wingnut Wings of New Zealand are purveyors of the most drool-making 1:32 scale World War I aircraft kits ever produced. We looked at one of Wingnuts’ earlier kits, the German Gotha bomber, last year - and here’s the Rumpler C.IV, another German aircraft that should join the Gotha, high on the list of must-make kits for any modeller keen on this early era of the aviation story.

2012 INCOMING - FUJIMI ULTIMATE BOMBER, SLEEK SPORTSTER, ROYAL ROLLS

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

Fujimi of Japan has some fascinating stuff heading our way, including this 1:144 scale model of a ‘what-if’ design, Japan’s ‘ultimate’ World War II heavy bomber, the Nakajima G10N Fugaku (Mt Fuji) designed with the power and range to attack the US West Coast. It’s interesting that Fujimi should choose this relatively small scale, as there’s a similar-sized model out there already: the Anigrand Craftwork 111-component resin production.

2012 SCI-FI ART - ALIENS vs PREDATORS CHESS SET

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

There’s no doubt that big movie franchises really get people’s interest in a major way. Alien and Predator represent two of the biggest in the science-fiction genre, so it’s interesting to see an individual miniature concept that is not destined for the mass-market toy, kit, or collectible markets.

VIDEO AD - ROBOT vs. F-16 DOGFIGHT IN TURKISH AIRSPACE

2012-01-17T08:26:00.002Z

SMN couch potato time:

This is ‘sorta amazing’ as advertising concepts go and it’s also a creative take on the many Japanese transformer toys and model kits available. Here we have a Turkish Air Force jet-jockette (and, it has to be said, very fetching) mother who manages to leave her coffee mug at home before the day’s mission.

1:10 SCALE ISS SPACESUIT KIT FROM BANDAI

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

Factual space modelmakers are having a rather good time of it at the moment, with reissued Apollo kits from Revell, updated launchers from Airfix, brand new kits from Aoshima and Dragon - and now Bandai have released this fascinating 1:10 scale ISS Spacesuit kit, featuring the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU).

2012 INCOMING - FINE MOLDS ‘STAR WARS’ KITS TO 1:72 SCALE

2012-01-13T23:40:00.000Z

David Jefferis reports:

It’s something of a sci-fi fest at the moment in the scale model world, and here we go again with another Star Wars kit from Japan’s Fine Molds. This time it's the super-sleek twin-engine Naboo N-1 Starfighter.

REVELL AIDA LINES CRUISE SHIP - DISPLAY PIX OF FINISHED KIT

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000Z

Cruise liner progress:

We featured the Revell cruise ship kit before its release in November 2011, when the pix available were the plain test shots. Now Revell has released images of the ship in ready-to-show condition, and very handsome she looks too. The model shown here is the 1:400 scale version, and the 300-odd components assemble to make a model that measures some 629 mm (24.8 in) long. A simpler kit is also available, and this one is three times smaller, being made to 1:1200 scale.

2012 GET RICH STRATEGY? TRY OLD KITS AND DINKY TOYS

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000Z

David Jefferis reports:

International finances are such that 2012 could be a difficult year if you’re the investing type. However, a relevant question for the scale model fan is: “Does the model and miniature world offer any money-making opportunities?” Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is a guarded yes, as old plastic kits continue to be valued buys for connoisseurs, assuming they are mint and boxed, in unbuilt condition, and with all parts present and correct.

STAR WARS INCOMING - 1:14 SCALE LANDSPEEDER FROM REVELL

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

Of all the craft featured in the Star Wars saga, one of my personal favourites is Luke Skywalker’s X-34 Landspeeder, first seen in Star Wars Episode IV: ‘A New Hope’. And now - hurrah! - we have a kit to build.

2012 INCOMING - HIGH-FLIGHT KITS FROM DRAGON

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here’s a bunch of 2012 aerospace kits from Hong Kong’s Dragon, and very good they look too.

First American in space

On May 5, 2012, it will be 50 years since Alan Shepard Jr piloted the Freedom 7 Mercury capsule to become the first US astronaut. And now Dragon celebrates Shepard’s sub-orbital flight with a 1:72 kit of the Mercury capsule, together with its Redstone launch rocket.

2012 INCOMING - NEW AIRFIX KITS AND ACCESSORIES

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

The 2012 Airfix catalogue is with us, and the company has a host of tasty new products in the pipeline for the coming year. Here’s a look at some of the good stuff to come.

MAT IRVINE’S ‘SCALE CAR MODELLING’ - THE BOOK FOR ALL AUTO FANS

2012-01-07T14:57:00.001Z

SMN book review:

Here’s another solid, dependable, and interest-packed book from SMN’s own Mat Irvine. This one arrived from the PR Dept at the Crowood Press recently, and matches the format of Mat’s other Crowood title Scale Spacecraft Modelling published in 2006. Scale Car Modelling comes in oversize paperback format, is full-colour throughout, and has 176 pages plus covers.

SCIENCE-FICTION FEAST FOR 2012 - FUJIMI BRINGS US ‘BLADE RUNNER’ FLYING COP CAR

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

Even after all these years, the model companies can still surprise us, especially when one of them - Fujimi of Japan - recently announced a model kit of a ‘star car’ that appeared in Blade Runner, a famous science-fiction movie first released no less than 30 years ago this June.

MEGA MOON ROCKET FROM FANTASTIC PLASTIC

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000Z

David Jefferis reports:

Great news for ‘what-if’ space fans from Fantastic Plastic, with this month’s release of a reworked and upsized 1:72 scale version of Revell’s 1950s-era XSL-01 Moon Rocket. The original kit, designed by US aerospace engineer Ellwyn E. Angle, was a 1:96 scale production, making the FP edition half as big again.

DeAGOSTINI RELEASES BIG 1:16 SCALE MITSUBISHI ZERO FIGHTER IN - COUNT THEM - 25 EPISODES

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The Italian partwork publisher DeAgostini is creating something of a reputation for large-scale kits, with several ships and a racing car produced so far in its ModelSpace range. Now aviation fans are target customers, with this massive 1:16 scale Mitsubishi A6M2b Model 21 Zero fighter, a widely produced version of the famed Japanese aircraft that was such a fearsome combat adversary for Allied forces early in World War II.

HORNBY GETS GROWN-UP - 2012 AD CAMPAIGNS TARGET ADULTS

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000Z

SMN market report:

Hornby Hobbies are expanding the company image away from pocket-money-price ‘small boys’ toys’ to moneyed-and-mature ‘big boys’ toys.’ Well, that’s our take on the plan. In advertising marketeer-speak, Hornby has launched: “a long-term brand campaign as part of a big push to introduce adult consumers to its products.” Having said that, Hornby traditional strengths remain, with updates to the rail range that include the 4-4-0 locomotive above, and the ready-weathered 4-6-0 Black 5 shown after the jump.

WHAT TO BUILD IN 2012? INCOMING KITS FROM ITALERI

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Argh! What should I build in 2012? What new models are coming up? These are questions we might all be asking, so here’s a quartet of kits from Italeri that should be available right now - so all the better to get on building. Whether you go for a boat, a plane, or a tank, is up to you, but whichever it is, we wish you modelmaking success all the way through the year to come.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MODELMAKERS!

2012-01-01T07:00:00.000Z

Scale Model News wishes you all a Happy and Prosperous 2012.

And then we'll be back tomorrow and beyond with news of... a stunning ultra-large scale World War II fighter with amazing interior detail... a science-fiction flying cop car... a NASA hot-rod... and much, much more...

But for now, enjoy today's New Year Slide Show!

STEALTH JET OR JAMES BOND AUTOGYRO? YOUR CHOICE!

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000Z

Stealth technology is standard-issue on military hardware today, but not so long ago, it was top secret and kept far away from detailed public knowledge. So model companies came out with various guesstimate-kits, based on informed thinking by experts. Among these was the MiG-37B stealth jet, a 'faction' model even given the notional NATO codename, 'Ferret E.'
Read more »

FESTIVE SEASON SLIDE SHOW - FROM PEUGEOT RACE CAR TO LUFTWAFFE 1946

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000Z

2011's coming to an end now, and it's been a year of steady growth for SMN, we're pleased to say. The Mobile Edition has been an interesting experiment, and in 2012, we should be able to make newsposts directly from the trusty iPhone. It's a high-tech world all right!
Read more »

AMAZING AND EXTRAORDINARY - TINIEST MODEL TRAIN EVER MADE?

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000Z

SMN is awestruck:

This video shows an amazingly small oval-track rail layout - built in ultra-tiny microscale to fit inside a Z-gauge model shop window... Watch and enjoy.

Plus, the daily SMN Festive Slideshow. We have 20 items of scale gorgeousness on show today, though object number one, a cyber-pup, is more art than scale model. It's a steampunk creation, made up of various scrap components including a 1950s-era retro toaster. We like Fido's smile, though trust he doesn't bite, as metal teeth are liable to be sharp...

MORE MODELS TO ENJOY...

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000Z

A Baker's Dozen for you today, with subjects ranging from the gorgeous Imai Thunderbirds kit above, to Belgium's Tin Tin, the suave super-spy James Bond, and the British sci-fi hero Dan Dare - and of course, Dan's Venusian nemesis, the melon-headed Mekon, nastiest alien super-villain to strut the spaceways...

MORE PIX FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000Z

We trust you've had a great Festive Season so far - relax here over some tasty models...

BOXING DAY SLIDE SHOW

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000Z

Hey, we hope you've had a great Christmas Day... and here's a Boxing Day slide show of interesting stuff.

Come back daily to see a group of models each time. And... enjoy the rest of your day!
Read more »

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MODELMAKERS

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000Z

If you have broken off your Christmas Day festivities to have a look at SMN, then we'll just say: "Thank you for visiting Scale Model News in 2011 and we look forward to your company for the rest of this year, and of course, during the New Year 2012 to come."

The pix are of our stellar (well, Star Wars) light display - and after the festive season is over, those attractive blue LEDs may well find continuing use as blast-pit lighting for our big starship landing field diorama.

But that's another story, to be told in 2012!

AERIAL ACTION -1:32 SCALE HEINKEL He 219 UHU COMING IN 2012

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Recent rumours have swirled around the notion of Revell adding to its big-scale range with a Heinkel He 219 Uhu (Owl) night fighter. And it seems that this really is going to happen, and that it won’t simply be a scaled-up version of the 1:72 scale kit already available.

NEW KITS AND ‘KATCH THE KAT’ FROM ROUND 2 MODELS

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

Since its inception, Round 2 has reissued kits that haven’t seen the light of day for many years. But they aren’t all straight down-the-line reissues. Many of the new kits supply more parts than originally, often by combining parts from several versions that you didn’t get first time around. Also, some parts are supplied in varied colours - for example, plain transparent parts in the early kits are now supplied with three other transparent shades, so you can mix and match if you wish.

AIRFIX 1:72 SCALE FAIREY SWORDFISH, VICTORIA CROSS ICONS GIFT SET

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

If you’ve time for a last-minute shop for Christmas then the latest Airfix Fairey Swordfish might fit the bill. Newly-released, the attractively-boxed 1:72 scale kit promises to be a quantum leap ahead of the good old girl that many a mature modelmaker assembled in his youth.

NEW FOR 2012 - CANNON-ARMED BATMOBILE TUMBLER STARS IN UPCOMING BATMAN MOVIE

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The final part of the current Batman ‘Dark Knight’ movie trilogy is heading our way next summer, and The Dark Knight Rises will bring a host of techno-treats by way of new and updated crime-zapping machinery for our caped crusader. And that means there'll be new movie tie-in Batman kits, collectibles, diecasts, and RC equipment on release soon.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL - NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS BOEING 777 UNVEILED FOR 2012 FLIGHT

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here’s a challenge for the kit-basher kings and paint-masters among you - it’s Boeing’s latest 777 twin-jet for ANZ (Air New Zealand), painted in midnight black to toast the World Champion All Blacks rugby team. Not only does the special scheme look great, but it makes the 777 the world’s largest airliner ever painted in an overall black finish. You can see the rollout on video, together with two All Blacks players, after the jump.

REVELL 1:72 SCALE A400 'GRIZZLY' - BUILT-AND-PAINTED UPDATE

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The 1:72 scale Revell Airbus A400M models the tactical airlifter that is the long-delayed European answer to the hugely successful Lockheed-Martin Hercules, a military cargo plane that’s been produced continually since its first flight in August, 1954.

ROUND 2 TAKES OVER AMT, POLAR LIGHTS, MPC - BEATLES, STAR TREK KITS IN 2012

2011-12-17T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The Round 2 model company recently acquired all rights to the leading model kit brands AMT, MPC and Polar Lights from Tomy, the Japanese toy, merchandise and entertainment name.

2012 MINIATUR WUNDERLAND VIDEO SHOWS THE WORLD’S MOST AMAZING MODEL RAIL LAYOUT

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here's the 2012 official video from Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg. It's the largest model rail system in the world, and one of the most successful tourist attractions in Germany.

REVELL QUEEN MARY 2 LUXO-LINER MODEL AWARD

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000Z

SMN shipping news:

According to the ship’s owner, Cunard, the luxury liner Queen Mary 2 is: “the most magnificent luxury ocean liner ever built. Her every detail harkens to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, while providing one of the most modern luxury cruise travel experiences on Earth.” Wow, that’s breathless prose for you - but just for once, this ship might live up to it. And the Queen Mary 2 makes a fine model subject too, as the pic above shows.

BMW ART CARS - JEFF KOONS SUPER-STRIPES CREATION AVAILABLE IN 1:18 SCALE

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here’s something with a wow-factor to add to that lineup of 1:18 scale diecast cars. It’s the latest in a long line of BMW ‘Art Cars’ - art in motion, with designs and paint applied by a host of top-name artists over the years.

EXHIBITION OF BOX-ART FROM THE FRENCH HELLER KIT COMPANY

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

If you have a trip to Paris, France, planned anytime until January 3, 2012, then make sure you go to Gallerie 64bis, not far from that famous Parisian icon, the Eiffel Tower.

HOP ON FOR A FIRST LOOK AT THE BIG NEW REVELL LONDON BUS KIT

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

It’s one of those coincidences that two of the most significant model kits to be made in recent years are both to 1:24 scale and both of classic British subjects. First came the Airfix 1:24 scale de Havilland Mosquito, now Revell has given us the archetypal London Bus - a name so familiar that the kit is called just that, not the AEC Routemaster, to give it its full and correct name.

STARDATE 2012 - SPACE SHUTTLE 'ENTERPRISE' FLYING IN TO NEW YORK’S USS INTREPID MUSEUM

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine weekend read:

In 2012 a new addition will join the famed USS Intrepid Museum Complex at Pier 86, New York City. The new display star will be the ALT (Approach and Landing Tests) Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise, (above) due to fly from Washington DC to JFK International Airport on the back of NASA’s Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

2012 PRODUCTS REVEALED - INCOMING KITS FROM REVELL-MONOGRAM

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

From Mat Irvine:

Here’s a look at Revell-Monogram kits for release in 2012. I’ve previously mentioned the recreated Renwal Blueprint series, with the futuristic Teracruzer and Mace missile, but there’s much more coming down the line.

FIRE-BREATHING RENAULT RALLY RACER FROM OTTOMOBILE

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here’s a new 1:18 scale resin-based model from the French OttOmobile company that’s just come on release. It’s a Renault 5 Maxi Turbo racer, as driven by driver Erik Comas in French Supertourism rallies.

FANTASTIC HAND-BUILT V-12 MOTOR - A SUPERB MINIATURE POWERPLANT THAT WORKS

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

We’ve always been in awe of the sheer thrill of hearing a big powerplant on full song. Whether it’s the earsplitting roar of a combat jet on full afterburner, or the mighty rumble of a muscle-car V-8, they all hit the spot.

REVELL SCALE MODEL AWARD 2011 - RESULTS POINT TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY EVER

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The Revell-Germany annual Scale Award competition could be the biggest international modelmaking contest sponsored by a kit company. Revell’s criteria for the judging panel's votes were clear: “the creative performance of the model builder and the attractiveness of the model itself.”

MORE FROM HASEGAWA - A BOILING-HOT STEALTH EGG PLANE

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

A new Egg Plane from Hasegawa is the F-22 Raptor, arriving with all-new tooling and decals, plus assembly instructions and a super-cute, big-eyed anime-style lady pilot.

CHICAGO TOY SHOW 2011 - TREASURE TROVE FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS

2011-12-03T07:00:00.000Z

SMN weekend read from Mat Irvine:

Billed as ‘largest in the state of Illinois', the Chicago Toy Show is a twice-a-year event, held at the Kane County Fairgrounds. According to my friend and colleague Dean Milano, the show is far smaller than it used to be, but to this visitor from ‘across the pond’, it’s still pretty impressive.

SWITZERLAND BUYS SAAB GRIPEN - MEANS MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MODELMAKERS

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000Z

David Jefferis reports:

Ace news for Swedish aerospace company Saab this week, as Switzerland has decided to go for the Saab Gripen NG (New Generation) as its front-line combat jet. The Gripen has been a challenger for the 22-aircraft order, in a long-running competition between state-of-the-art fighters such as the Dassault Rafale, EFA Typhoon, and Boeing F/A-18.

PRECISION 1:8 SCALE HASEGAWA ROTARY ENGINE

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Hasegawa has reissued the beautifully produced 1:8 scale scale Le Rhone rotary engine. There are just 82 components to assemble, but it's an impressive kit nonetheless. As you can see from the pictures, the result will be a extremely convincing replica of this important World War I powerplant, and Hasegawa includes a dolly stand, so the display possibilities are good too.

HaMeX 3 - REVIEW OF THE 2011 HANSLOPE MODEL EXPO

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000Z

A look at Hanslope Model Expo 2011:

Top of the agenda for many visitors were the 'secret spaceships' - model spacecraft that have appeared in broadcast TV shows. Mat Irvine worked with the BBC for many years, and his comprehensive collection of Visual Effects (VFX) rocketry is one of the very best, so seeing them landed at Spaceport HaMeX was a great hit for science-fiction fans.

NEW BUS FOR LONDON - CORGI ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR DIECAST ‘BORIS BUS’

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

Corgi has announced a target release date of March 2012 for the 1:76 scale New Bus for London (NB4L) now under development, and currently running on a similar schedule to the real thing. The Corgi diecast model will scale out to 146 mm (5.75 in) long and be marketed under the successful London Original Omnibus Company (OOC) name. As planned, the first OOC New Bus will wear the livery, destination, and numbers of the first route that the new bus will serve. Corgi planners are expecting to see details of this route very soon.

VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACESHIP RELEASED IN TWO SCALES

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic seems to be on track to become the world's first commercial spaceline, with a passenger-carrying spaceship, the VSS Enterprise, carried by a twin-fuselage mothership, VMS Eve. Both vehicles were developed by California-based Scaled Composites, headed by the veteran designer Burt Rutan. Eventually there will be two motherships and five spaceships in the Virgin Galactic space fleet.

TEXAS AIRPORT MODEL SHOW

2011-11-26T07:00:00.000Z

Weekend read from Mat Irvine:

It’s probably a bit obvious to say that you see aircraft at an airport, but more to the point, many airports also display aircraft models.

Military-civil combo
One such, which I passed through recently, is Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Texas. It’s a military/commercial joint-use airport, in which one section is used by the Fort Hood military reservation, and there’s a check-in desk for arriving soldiers on the first floor of the terminal building.

KITS FOR SALE AT HAMEX 3 - PLUS CLASSIC TV SCI-FI MODELS ON SHOW

2011-11-26T00:00:00.000Z

HaMeX update:

Hanslope Model Expo is due tomorrow, Sunday November 27, so there will be a chance to choose from a wide range of model kits for sale, mostly at very reasonable prices.

COUNTDOWN TO HAMEX 3

2011-11-25T17:00:00.000Z

HaMeX update:

Hanslope Model Expo runs on Sunday November 27, so there will be a chance to have a look at some of the factual space miniatures from TV on display there.

MAD PHYSICIST MAKES MIND-BOGGLING MODELS FROM LEGO

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

LEGO builders number in their legions, but we've just come across someone who has blown our socks off, a Dutchman titled the ‘Mad Physicist.’

COUNTDOWN TO HAMEX 3

2011-11-24T17:00:00.000Z

HaMeX update:

Hanslope Model Expo is due this coming Sunday November 27, so there will be a chance to have a look at some of the science-fiction miniatures on display there.

COMING SOON - SEXY ROBOT COLLECTIBLE

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

To science-fiction fans of a certain age - and robot lovers in particular - the name Hajime Sorayama may well be a revered one. For 64 year-old Sorayama made his name in the late 1970s and 1980s for producing beautiful airbrushed illustrations of ‘sexy robots’, humanoid machine-beings apparently made of gleaming metal, and most importantly, looking highly feminized. The bottom line was that, unlike standard-issue nuts-and-bolts droids, they were utterly gorgeous pin-up material.

COUNTDOWN TO HAMEX 3

2011-11-23T17:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

Hanslope Model Expo is due Sunday November 27, so here’s a chance to have a look at some of the equipment that will be on demo there.

Airbrush expert

For example, is airbrushing an art that's new to you? Or maybe you need a new one? Whichever option fits the bill, co-organizer Paul Fitzmaurice of little-cars.com will be delighted to demonstrate his wide range from respected suppliers such as Grex and Harder & Steenbeck.

RENWAL TERACRUZER WITH MACE MISSILE - UPDATE

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Reference last week’s mention of the upcoming Revell-Renwal Teracruzer and Mace reissue, Mat Irvine has kindly supplied these pictures of an assembled model. We’ve also shown the original box, so you can see the minor differences between the then-and-now kits.

COUNTDOWN TO HAMEX 3 MODEL SHOW ON NOVEMBER 27

2011-11-22T16:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

A reminder to anyone living in striking distance of Milton Keynes, UK, that this year’s HaMeX launch is on this Sunday, doors open at 10.00 am.

1:35 SCALE THALES BUSHMASTER FROM SHOWCASE MODELS, AUSTRALIA

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Here's a kit that promises to be a Triple-AAA choice for military modelmakers. It's an extremely neatly produced 1:35 scale model of the Thales Bushmaster, an IMV (Infantry Mobility Vehicle) currently providing state-of-the-art protection for troops operating in trouble spots around the world.

WALKERA RADIO-CONTROL HELICOPTER GETS A FUTURISTIC LOOK

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

A new arrival on the radio-control scene is the great-looking Walkera LM400Q. The design make a real change from the usual RC helicopter, its development team apparently taking a hefty hint from seminal sci-fi movies such as The Matrix and Terminator. And that’s a compliment, because there’s no real reason why an RC chopper should take its appearance slavishly from the real world.

NEW KITS FROM ATLANTIS - ANIMALS, PIRATES, GLADIATORS AND MORE

2011-11-19T07:00:00.000Z

From Mat Irvine:

One of the newest of the ‘new companies’ with connections to the original Aurora company is Atlantis, the model-kit arm of Megahobby, an online hobby distributor with the declared aim of bringing plastic modelling: “back to the level of popularity it once enjoyed.”

Atlantis is run by Pete Vetri and Rick Delfavero, who have cemented the Aurora connection by using as consultant long-time Aurora Project Manager, Andy Yanchus.

NEW-TOOL 1:72 SCALE SWORDFISH TORPEDO BOMBER FLYING IN FROM AIRFIX

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The cgi images show some of the treats in store for Airfix modelmakers - in particular, we look forward to the new-tool 1:72 scale Fairey Swordfish, also widely nicknamed the ‘stringbag’. The 125-component kit will be a long-overdue replacement for the venerable Airfix offering. We are promised a folding-wing option which represents a major advance, and we’re hoping the 193 mm (7.6 in) wingspan kit will do for 1:72 scale what Tamiya’s superb Swordfish did for the bigger 1:48 scale.

IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD 2011 - PHOTO REPORT

2011-11-17T17:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

The Scale ModelWorld 2011 Show was a major event last weekend for the IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society), and a galaxy of models were on display. SMN’s own Mat Irvine was at the show with a stand (above), and all in all, the annual bash went down very well indeed.

BUILDING BOOM FROM WOODLAND SCENICS

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Woodland Scenics offers some interesting new buildings, including a trio in the expansive 0-gauge ‘Built-&-Ready’ series. US 0-gauge is handily equivalent to 1:48 scale, so lots of crossover possibilities are possible using ready-made structures like these.

Sign of the hanging boot

We just love the JW Cobbler building, complete with its hanging-boot sign in the front. Many more details abound, making this worth a display all by itself.

RENWAL’S LARGEST MILITARY KIT - THE US ARMY M65 ATOMIC CANNON

2011-11-16T12:00:00.000Z

From Mat Irvine:

Revell has owned most of the old Renwal company’s moulds for decades - actually, since 1976 - and has reissued many of those kits. So far, these have been released in Revell boxes, but now, thanks to Product Manager Ed Sexton, the original distinctive Renwal box-art has been reintroduced, including the Renwal name.

COLD WAR WARRIOR RETURNS - MACE MISSILE FROM RENWAL

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Mat Irvine spotted the next Revell reissue of a classic Renwal military kit when he was at the iHobby Expo recently. It will be the futuristic Teracruzer and Mace missile set, and as you will read in Mat’s article later today, there’s been a sea-change at Revell where packaging is concerned.

NEW FROM CORGI - TRAINS, PLANES, CARS

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Corgi’s next Aviation Archive diecast release will be a variation on the highly successful 1:72 scale TSR-2 British strike bomber. This one is modelled on the XR220 machine, now on display at the RAF Museum, Cosford. It’s a Limited Edition, with just 1500 in the run, and has extra parts to reflect the stronger landing gear fitted to the aircraft, and the two cameras fitted to monitor gear behavior.

HORNBY STEAMS AHEAD, EXPECTS LONDON OLYMPICS 2012 BOOST

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Hornby, owner of the famous Airfix, Corgi, Humbrol, Hornby trains, and Scalextric names, has posted an 80 percent jump in first-half 2011-12 pretax profit, and looks forward to a good result for the next half too, as it eyes a mouthwatering boost from selling Olympic Games-linked products.

IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD 2011 - THIS WEEKEND

2011-11-12T08:21:00.001Z

SMN report:

The Scale ModelWorld 2011 Show is a big event in the IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society) diary, and is thought to be the world’s largest model show, in both size and visitor numbers. It attracts thousands of people from all over the globe, and is on today and tomorrow, November 12-13.

SMN’s own Mat Irvine will be there, and there are many other highlights if you can make it, such as:

ITALERI 1:48 SCALE HURRICANE MK I

2011-11-11T08:04:00.001Z

SMN report:

Is there room for another Hawker Hurricane kit? There are certainly plenty of them around, but this new-tool Italeri kit looks worthwhile, even if it does face stiff competition, not least from Hasegawa’s kit to the same scale.

CLOUD OF KITS FLY IN FROM PEGASUS

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports from iHobby Expo:

Continuing my look at the new goodies on show at iHobby, this time I'm inspecting Pegasus Hobbies, a company that started off by making glitzy accessories for car modellers, an aspect it still does, but that now also makes aircraft and military models, and is best known for its science-fiction kits.

REVELL 1:32 SCALE SEA LYNX COMING INTO THE HOVER

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Another treat is due very soon for helo-lovers - Revell’s new 1:32 Westland Sea Lynx should be released this side of Christmas. Revell is going a storm in big 1:32 scale these days, and a helicopter like this is particularly suited to the size, as there is so much detail that can be packed into the cockpit and interior.

REVELL LONDON BUS AND TAXI KITS ARRIVING SOON

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

It looks like the Revell 1:24 scale AEC Routemaster London Bus will be generally available this side of Christmas. And better still, the big red double-decker will be joined by a same-scale London ‘black cab’ taxi. Both kits should be in the stores shortly, and by the looks of things, ought to be on any public transport lover's Christmas stocking list.

ITALERI PIASECKI H-21 ‘FLYING BANANA’ HELICOPTER KIT

2011-11-07T08:18:00.000Z

SMN report:

The Italeri twin-rotor Piasecki H-21 is a 1:72 scale kit for nostalgia-loving helo fans. First flown in 1952, the H-21 was flown by half a dozen air arms, and numerous civil operators, so the choice of markings for this kit is large.

EARLY REVELL MAXWELL CAR KIT - A TRIBUTE TO FAMED US COMEDIAN JACK BENNY

2011-11-05T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

I’ve just got back from an interesting US trip, and while there collected a number of items, which I will write about in the weeks to come. To start with, here’s the Revell Maxwell Auto ‘Action Pull Toy’, an oddity from the early days of Revell, with links to US comedian Jack Benny, whose weekly radio show ran from 1932 to 1955.

IPMS SCALE MODELWORLD 2011 - A MUST-VISIT SHOW FOR MODEL FANS

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000Z

SMN update:

The Scale ModelWorld 2011 Show is heralded as: ‘The Greatest Model Show on Earth’. It’s certainly a mega-event that the IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society) reckons is the world’s largest model show, in both size and visitor numbers. It attracts thousands of people from all over the globe. So keep your diary free for next weekend, November 12-13.

THREE HOT 1:10 SCALE RADIO CONTROL CARS FROM TAMIYA

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000Z

SMN report:

Radio Control is a mega-popular hobby-cum-sport, with the widest possible range of models to choose from - helicopters, combat planes, ships, subs, tanks, cars - you name it, there’s a wealth of choice.

MOEBIUS MODELS AT THE 2011 iHOBBY EXPO

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000Z

Mat Irvine reports:

The 2011 iHobby Expo show took place from October 20-23, at the Rosemont Center, near Chicago, Illinois. It's an amazing place to visit, as it showcases a mind-boggling array of model and hobby products.