Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
Book Review: Pen & Sword's guide to British Trawlers and Drifters
When it comes to the Royal Navy during the two World Wars, all attention goes to warships, yet the most numerous vessels were converted fishing boats, and these varied types are described in this fourth volume dedicated to the drawings and plans of renowned draughtsman John Lambert.
Book Review: Schiffer's Sherman Tank Guide Vol.6
In what appears to be its final Legends of Warfare book devoted to the M4 Sherman (five preceding publications have tackled various sub-types), Schiffer has opted to examine recovery vehicles – sometimes known as wreckers – based on the tank.
SPECIAL HOBBY’S UPDATED HICKORY
Modellers interested in Japanese World War Two aircraft will be pleased to know that Special Hobby has added extra parts and decals to its Ki-54 Hickory kit, to produce the aerial gunnery trainer.
UNUSUAL ’109 SCHEMES
If you're looking for a different scheme for your 1/72 or 1/48 Bf 109E, Exotic Decals' new release with a Bulgarian flavour could be just the inspiration you need. Three individual airframes are catered for.
VOUGHT CORSAIR RE-ISSUE BY ITALERI
Italeri's 1/72 F4U-4 Corsair parts have been repacked under a Korean War theme, with new decals. Read our detailed review of the kit.
‘FIRST & LAST’: AIRFIX CLUB’S LIMITED EDITION 1/72 HAWK
The latest limited-edition kit available for Airfix Club members is this splendid themed package, with two special-scheme BAE Hawks. Learn about all the membership benefits, and the kit itself, here.
BEAUFIGHTER MK.II CONVERSION FOR AIRFIX KIT
Until now, the only route to a 1/72 Beaufighter Mk.II involved two old limited-run kits. Now though, CMK has come to the rescue with a comprehensive mixed-media conversion for Airfix's excellent styrene Mk.X.
YOUR AIRFIX: 1/72 Bristol Superfreighter
Vintage Classics showcase: Bob Newberry explains his longstanding interest in the Bristol Superfreighter, and why he was compelled to modify Airfix's 1/72 kit of the type.
DECALS FOR BRITISH AMPHIBIANS
Star Decals' three new sheets of markings for British LVT-2 and LVT-4 AMTRACs are highly useful for anyone considering building this amphibious armoured vehicle in 1/35 scale.
MORE ON LOCKHEED’S SPYPLANE
Lockheed's U-2 has always been a fascinating subject, for enthusiasts and modellers alike. For those seeking reference on this iconic aircraft, Publisher Helion & Co has released its second volume on the U-2 and its operations, benefiting kit-builders greatly.
DISPLAY CASE
Personal experience is a key element in this selection of readers’ modelling projects - check out the full repertoire (including bonus online-only entries).
Latest Legs from Scale Aircraft Conversions
Yet more products have been added to Scale Aircraft Conversion’s white-metal landing-gear range - check out the full listing inside!
Kilmarnock Station Community Village Update
Work at Kilmarnock station continues with the Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage trust helping those in the community improve their physical and mental health wellbeing.
Whirlybird Models Closure
January 2022 marked the closure of a modelling stalwart, in the form of South Yorkshire-based Whirlybird Models. Read more about the loss of this firm here.
The Weird Howitzer
The unorthodox marriage of a 122mm gun and a vintage tank chassis forms the basis of RyeField Model's 1/35 T-34/D-30 howitzer. Learn all about this kit with Christian Lupu's fascinating build.
MINE HUNTING AND FRESH PRODUCE FROM MINIART
Two new styrene accessory sets from MiniArt could well inspire your next diorama or vignette. Whether you opt for the mine detectors or fruit in crates, a feast of fine detail awaits.
Quechua Fortress
Garry Tobiss discovers that Kinetic's 1/48 new-tool Pucara has many fine features, in his almost-out-of-the-box build. Plus-points include a well-appointed cockpit.
AIRBRUSH CLEANING KIT FROM IWATA
Keeping your airbrush spotlessly clean is the key to great results. This upgraded kit from Iwata has all the necessary products to help you achieve optimum spraying.
CORSAIR, METEOR AND SEA BALLIOL SCHEMES BY MODEL ART
If you want to finish your Vought Corsair or AW Meteor in a less obvious scheme, or you need fresh markings for your Sea Balliol, Model Art Decal System has the answer in sheet 72-081.
EDUARD UPGRADES FOR AIRFIX KITS
Eduard has recently released several detail sets with specific Airfix kits in mind. There's a wealth of embellishment on these photo-etched metal frets for the 1/72 Mosquito, and 1/48 Hunter, P-51D-5 and Tiger Moth.
SOFTBACK STUDY OF FIAT’S ‘GINA’
You'll find AirDOC's new softback on the Luftwaffe Fiat G.91 'Gina' invaluable if you're planning a build of the type. It's a wallet-friendly reference with heaps of information and great visual cues.
TAKOM’S LARGE-SCALE SHIP DEFENDERS
Takom's release of 1/35 Sea Wolf and Sea Dart missile systems are timely, given this year's 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict...in which the weapons made their combat debuts. We review the kits in full.
AIRFIX’S CLERICAL HOWITZER: THE M7 PRIEST
Airfix's 1/35 M7 Priest is a happy medium between the vintage Italeri offering, and more modern toolings by Dragon. Learn more about the heritage and detail of this military gem.
Decal Review: Euro Decals' Flashy 1/48 Super Sabres
Suitable for ESCI, Revell/Monogram and Trumpeter kits, Euro Decals’s quarter-scale markings provide a trio of attractive markings schemes for 1/48 North American F-100D Super Sabres.
Decal Review: Two Bobs' 1/48 A-10C Indiana Tankbusters
Modellers seeking different schemes for their Hobby Boss, Monogram and Italeri kits (although not straight from the box – they all need ‘tweaks’) or the forthcoming Academy offering will find much to savour on this set from Two Bobs.
Decal Review: BOA's 1/144 Air France Caravelles
Designed to fit the Airfix or AModel Caravelle III kits, this comprehensive two-sheet set from BOA enables modellers to build any of the 46 airframes operated by Air France.
Decal Review: Kits-World presents 1/72 RAF 24in Letter Codes
Kits-World has produced this set of late-1930s-style airframe letters for RAF aircraft in 1/72, replicating the Stores Ref. 33B/157 specification of 24in squadron/airframe letters in Sea Grey (later renamed Sky Grey).
METAMORPHASISED DRONE FROM ICM
This 1/48 BQM-34A Firebee from ICM extends the firm's coverage of the aerial target family - with its own DB-26 Invader carrier aircraft in mind, or as an individual display item.
EDUARD'S STUNNING TWO-SPIT RELEASE
A Spitfire Mk.Vb and a Mk.Vc can both be built with Eduard's new 1/48 Dual Combo package, which offers a generous ten colour schemes under the banner Spitfire Story: Southern Star.
Decal Review: On Target's ode to HMS Eagle's Aircraft
The Audacious-class aircraft carrier HMS Eagle is the subject of On Target’s decals – in the form of the piston and jet-powered machinery carried by the craft.