FROG MODEL KITS: A QUICK LOOK AT SOME CLASSICS

FAREWELL TO DARRELL BURGE OF HORNBY

Scale Model News is sad to hear of the passing of Darrell Burge of Hornby. Darrell was Product Manager at Airfix, since moving from Humbrol in 2006, and in charge of the revitalisation of Airfix products over the last decade.

FORD GALAXIE COP CAR FROM THE JAMES BOND MOVIE ‘DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER’

JAMES BOND is the movie industry’s longest running franchise, with the 25th movie due for release in 2021. And now Round-2 has a license to produce kits of Bond movie subjects, using the AMT brand. 

A QUICKIE FROM AIRFIX: SUPERMARINE WALRUS GHOST ASSEMBLY

A DELIGHTFUL KIT FROM AIRFIX, the 1:48 scale Supermarine Walrus seaplane is a charming build, which can produce a really unusual addition to your display shelf.

And for diorama fans, adding a seascape for the Walrus to float on will make it a real star on the model show circuit – if we ever get back to live shows, that is. Maybe in Autumn 2021?

NEAT BANDAI 1:60 SCALE KIT OF A TOSHIBA EC160 ELECTROMOTIVE STYLE INJECTION MACHINE

THIS UNUSUAL KIT depicts a Toshiba EC 160, a moulding machine that can inject more than one colour into a single plastic runner. Bandai uses machines like this to produce kits such as Gundam action figures and Star Wars models.

BIGGEST OF THE BIG: HO GAUGE 'BIG BOY' LOCOMOTIVE FROM REVELL

 

OF ALL INDOOR SCALE subjects, the one that stands out compared with, say, aircraft, cars or ships, has been model trains. This is primarily because model railroads are not static models – instead, they are intended to be working miniature replicas. 

1:48 SCALE 1955 CHEVROLET STAKE TRUCK FROM ATLANTIS MODELS

VEHICLES TO 1:48 SCALE are not that common, as it is not a traditional car or truck scale, which is usually 1:24/5 or 1:32. But 1:48 is a common aircraft scale, and is also the American model railroad O gauge, so having road transportation like this Atlantis Chevrolet Stake Truck is a bonus.

1:24 SCALE REVELL CAR KIT. IT'S A PORSCHE – BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT

THE OTHER HALF of this 1:24 scale Revell Gift Set, the Porsche Panamera, has already been dealt with in SMN, so now here's the other kit in the box – a Porsche 918 two-seater.

HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH A REVELL 1:24 SCALE PORSCHE PANAMERA

PORSCHE-LOVERS STAND BY to enjoy a duo of kits, packed in the same gift box. The Panamera and 918 Spyder are both to 1:24 scale. First we look at the Panamera.

AMAZING METAL MINIATURE: EDUARD FEISELER STORCH TO 1:72 SCALE

EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we come across something that goes way beyond the normal – and here is a great example, showing the build-up of a metal Feiseler Storch.

CLOSEUP MODEL MAKING WITH THE LIGHTCRAFT STANDARD HEADBAND MAGNIFIER KIT

 

IN COVID LOCKDOWN, many modellers do not have the excuse ‘I’ve nothing to do.’ Backing this up, model suppliers report that they’ve never been busier, and helpful gadgets have been hot sellers in 2020.

INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC MODEL COMPETITION IN SINGAPORE

 

THIS WEEK SAW the annual Airfix Competition 2020, organised by Peter Chiang, of Hobby Bounties in Singapore. Due to the Covid-19 and the Singapore Air Force Museum being closed, it was held online at Facebook, under the Hobby Bounties’ event 'mini-Airfix Cup 2020.'

BUILDING A TAMIYA 1:48 SCALE CRUSADER TANK

AIRPLANE-SCALE TANKS are go in this well-crafted video. The British Crusader cruiser tank featured is made to 1:48 scale, resulting in a model that is just over five inches (131 mm) long. Nice!

MODEL-MAKING THE OLD WAY FOR THE MANDALORIAN NEW SERIES

THE NEW SEASON OF THE EXCELLENT Mandalorian has the usual range of sci-fi effects, characters, and models. And some of these depend on the old techniques of actual model making.

NIFTY VIDEO SHOWING  a model aircraft collection, and the neat shelving built for the display. Worth looking for a collective sigh of nostalgia. For example, there's a beautifully made Fairey Rotodyne in one corner, one of our fave machines of all time. 

TOP GUN'S MAVERICK FLIES IN WITH 1:48 SCALE F/A-18 SUPER HORNET

IN 1986 WE GOT we got the hugely successful movie Top Gun. Next, what will be 35 years later (the film release is due in 2021) we should see the follow-up Top Gun: Maverick. The star of the first movie, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise), returns again, but now plays the role of a flight instructor.

HALLOWEEN TREAT: THE MUNSTERS LIVING ROOM KIT FROM POLAR LIGHTS

 

IT’S HALLOWEEN AGAIN and here’s a chance to look at a kit that definitely fits the idea of ‘spooky.’ 

WHAT-IF AIRFIX KITS.. WELL, WE CAN BUT DREAM!

MATTHEW TEEVAN IS AN illustrator who shows his work on Art Station, an online centre for the visual creatives community.

JETSONS ANNIVERSARY: FLYING SAUCER FAMILY CAR

This week in 1962 – actually September 23 – saw the first episode of the Jetsons, a US cartoon TV series featuring a ‘space age’ family living in the Orbit City of 2062.

COMING SOON FROM AIRFIX: CLASSIC 1:12 SCALE RACING BENTLEY KIT

A GRAND OLD CLASSIC, the Airfix Bentley is still an excellent kit that shows off the famed Le Mans race car incredibly well.