Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
DISPLAY CASE
In a first for this feature, our Display Case this month has predominantly shifted the focus from aircraft models to readers’ ground-based vehicles instead, plus there's further variety with bonus online-exclusive entries.
Hidden Treasures: RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre Model Show
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: Stu Fone visits the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre in Fakenham, Norfolk, to discover more about the museum and sample the delights on show at its annual model show.
FORTHCOMING TAKOM RELEASES
Exciting new 1/35 kits are due from Takom this May and June. They include a V-1 'Doodlebug' with interior detail!
NEW CMK AIRCRAFT ACCESSORIES
CMK's latest accessories cater for the 1/48 Academy/Accurate Miniatures A-36/P-51/P-51A, Special Hobby's 1/72 Ki-54 Hickory/Otsu and Vautour IIB, and any 1/48 Mitsubishi Zero. The detail is impressive and they're useful items, for adding refinement or helping at airbrushing time.
Chiron to Swordfish: Airfix's latest releases revealed!
Airfix has released a varied batch of new products in March 2022, from the first of its new 1/43 supercars to a pair of Vintage Classic 1/76-scale tanks.
Ukraine Round-Up
Many readers will be aware of the devastating impact on Ukraine and its people caused by Russia’s invasion - AMW provides a round-up of the effects this conflict has had on modelling, particularly for the country's kit manufacturers.
Double the Reference: Valiant Wings releases Bf 109 books
Valiant Wings Publishing has a treat in store for fans of the Messerschmitt Bf 109, with updated, revised and expanded second editions of two Airframe & Miniature titles on the type.
PRIEST: A FINE M7 REFERENCE
Whether you plan to build the M7 Priest tracked howitzer in 1/35, or a smaller scale, excellent reference lies in Pen & Sword's book on the vehicle... part of the publisher's Images of War series.
New Model Show announced for Ely
A new modelling event will be hosted in the Cambridgeshire city of Ely, on April 30, 2022. Find out more about the Fen Model Show here!
The rain in Spain… ICM releases 1/72 Spanish Civil War triple set
ICM has made an unusual move with its latest Diorama Set, as it focuses on 1/72 aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3s and a Tupolev SB 2 during the Spanish Civil War. JOHN FULLER lifts the lid on this exciting three-kit package.
Airfix Model World's Latest Accessories Reviews!
Check out the latest batch of 31 accessory reviews from the team at Airfix Model World, including photo-etched upgrade sets, lead wire for adding cable detail, 3D-printed maritime accessories and even diorama material...
KP’S SPLENDID BUDGET MUSTANG
Arma Hobby's 1/72 P-51B/C Mustang may arguably be the best on the market, but a cheaper, yet still pleasing alternative lies in the P-51B tooling by Kovozávody Prostějov. Read about the firm's 'Mustang Malcolm' boxing here.
RE-ISSUED MUSTANG BY ARMA
As if it wasn't glorious enough that Arma Hobby released what is now considered the best 1/72 P-51B/C Mustang on the market, it's just re-issued the parts in a Mustang III boxing, with two new RAF colour schemes.
HANDY MASKS FROM PEEWIT
Masking can be a real chore, but it will certainly be easier with these recent sets from Czech firm Peewit, if you're building Airfix's 1/72 Mk.Vc, Special Hobby's Harvard or Bf 109E-3, or Sabrekits' Hs 126A/B. There are also undercarriage bay masks for Eduard's 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/II, AZ Model's 1/72 Bf 109G and Airfix's 1/72 Spitfire Mk.Vc.
Decal Review: Eduard supplies myriad markings for 1/48 F-4Bs
Modellers wanting to replace lost items from Tamiya’s new F-4B or just looking for stencils to enhance their F-4Bs by Hasegawa, Academy or Esci/Ertl will find Eduard’s two-sheet set very useful.
Decal Review: Kits-World's Icelandic Beauties - 1/32 B-17Gs
Kits-World has produced several aftermarket decal sheets suitable for large-scale B-17 Flying Fortresses including Hong Kong Models’ 1/32 offering – its RAF-themed sets include this pair of meteorological reconnaissance airframes.
Decal Review: French and Brazilian P-36s by LPS Hobby
Perfect for early-model P-36 kits in 1/72 – such as those by AML, AZ, Aoshima, Monogram and Heller – these LPS Hobby markings cater for an early-war French airframe and a Brazilian aircraft later in World War Two.
ANOTHER HELPING OF U-BOAT STORIES
If you enjoy building German World War Two U-boats, the periodical series U-Boot im Focus has a wealth of information and reference. And the latest instalment, No.20, is now available.
NEW ‘FAGOT’ BOXING FROM EDUARD
Eduard's delightful 1/72 MiG-15 has been re-issued as a Weekend Edition boxing, with four new sets of markings. See parts photos and the colour scheme sheets here as part of the review.
BYE BYE BUCKEYE
An air-to-air photoshoot in Greece inspired Kev Baxter's cool build of Wolfpack Design's 1/72 North American T-2E Buckeye. The project pitched a few curve balls, but the results were excellent.
Decal Review: H-Models caters for Czechoslovakian Willys Jeeps in 1/35
Modellers seeking a slightly different appearance for their 1/35 Willys Jeeps may wish to consider H-Models’ limited-edition Czechoslovakian decals, which provide for four vehicles - read a full review of these markings here.
Decal Review: Azur-FRROM provides for its own 1/72 Potez 25 kits
Intended for its own Potez 25 kits, Azur-FRROM’s decals provide for a wealth of airframes - including those used by famed 20th century aviators, as AMW's review reveals...
ROTARY DISPLAY: Middle Wallop Aircraft Enthusiasts Fair and Model Show
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: Malcolm V Lowe reports on the Middle Wallop Aircraft Enthusiast's Fair and Model Show, held at the Army Flying Museum.
MODELLING FANFARE: Bugle Call 2021 Event Report
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: Back in June 2021 – and with more than a little apprehension – Bristol’s British Model Soldier Society (BMSS) branch decided to proceed with its Bugle Call 2021, duly held in late November. Check out a full report with bonus images here!
AHEAD OF THE LEGION
Ukrainian firm ICM has released several 1/16 historical and fictional figures of late. Here, Johan Augustsson 'splashes some paint' on Roman Centurion.
‘POISONOUS’ TWIN-BOOM IN STYRENE
There has never been a decent, well-detailed 1/72 kit of the de Havilland Venom, until the recent FB.4 items from AccsGB. Here, we review the firm's 'Foreign Use' boxing, with Swiss Air Force markings.
Decal Review: Air-Graphic's Bumper Operation Telic Selection in 1/72
This bumper offering from Air-Graphics includes two A5-sized decal sheets and supplies sufficient markings for more than 50 RAF airframes either involved or placed on standby for Operation Telic during 2003. Check out the full selection and the sheets themselves in this full-length review.
Aussie Cent: 1/56 scale Centurion Mk.5/1 tank by Rubicon Models
Huw Morgan builds a Vietnam-era Centurion tank in a different scale – 1/56, usually favoured by figure painters - courtesy of Rubicon Models’ kit. Discover why this wargamer-aimed offering could be your next military build project here...
NEW NOCTURNAL ‘MEATBOX’ FROM SPECIAL HOBBY
Special Hobby's recent 1/72 Meteor night-fighter Meteors are splendid kits, and now the company has added an NF.11 'RAF Squadrons' boxing to the family. It offers markings for four different airframes.