Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
ENGINE AND GEARBOX
If a full crew compartment and turret interior on its T-55s wasn’t enough for armour modellers, then MiniArt takes it to the next level with a complete transmission set suitable for either the T-55 or T-55A, with alternative parts to cater for each variant.
FLIGHT SUPPORT SYSTEM
Despite the popularity of ‘wheels-down’ aircraft modelling, there’s still a demand for airborne representations, but a limited supply of stands.
SKIN-SHEDDER SUPPLEMENT
Eduard’s two-fret photo-etched upgrade package provides a selection of enhancements for the interior and exterior of ICM’s newly tooled 1/32 Bell AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter, which is also set to be re-boxed by Special Hobby.
MARTEN MAGIC
It’s the turn of Revell’s SPz Marder 1 to receive the Hauler upgrade treatment and while the photoetched (PE) brass fret is small, it is packed with refinements.
ETERNAL BURNING
Suitable for a range of fixed-wing and rotary subjects, the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile is the subject of Brengun’s 1/48 set.
LEPIDOPTERA FEET
ICM’s large-scale Tiger Moth is the recipient of Eduard’s resin wheel set, which provides one-piece items for the main undercarriage section, pre-cut painting masks, plus de Havilland badge decals in a choice of three colours.
ACCURATE GEAR
Given the praise lavished on Tamiya’s new F-4B Phantom, a set of resin wheels would appear superfluous, but closer examination reveals two issues with the kit.
FLEXIBLE DIALS
It was not too long ago there was only a choice between moulded detail and decals for instrument panels.
‘POP-OUT’ PAINTS
AMMO-MIG’s range of dry-brushing paints contains 27 shades, with six supplied to AMW for review.
CRYSTAL CLEAR
A common technical limitation with 1/144 scale aircraft kits is that the canopy lacks scale thickness, as it would otherwise be too delicate as a styrene component.
KAMIKAZE TRAINING COVERS
Modellers with FineMold’s 1/48 Yokasuka MXY7 Ohka K1 kit – depicting the training glider version – in their stash will appreciate this set of pre-cut canopy masks to aid decorating the model.
HEAVYWEIGHT HITTER
Modellers wanting to add an unusual store to their 1/48 Turkish or Israeli F-4E Phantoms or the latter’s F-15I Eagles may wish to consider Eduard’s Popeye I missiles.
BLOWN BELTS
Eduard’s 1/48 Hawker Tempest Mk.II may have just arrived, but the firm has already released aftermarket products for the kit, including these photo-etched steel seat restraints.
FILL HER UP!
Here’s a neat addition suitable for an early Ju 88 refuelling diorama, in the shape of two resin inserts to represent the open fuelling points in the wing upper surfaces, sufficient for one side of the aircraft.
‘DOUBLE BUBBLE’ BLADES
With its patented ‘figure eight’ fuselage designed to withstand high altitudes, the C-46 Commando was nicknamed the ‘Double Bubble’, but was not as popular as the C-47.
SHADES OF HOVER
While it’s likely intended to complement the recent Kinetic 1/48 offerings, this paint set is equally suitable for first-generation Harriers in any scale.
PULLING THE WOOL…
MiniArt’s diorama-friendly Miniatures series contains numerous products ideal for enhancing scenes, with one of the more unusual sets being a flock of 1/35 sheep.
SOVIET ARMOUR ENHANCEMENT
It may only have been released this year, but Tamiya’s newly tooled 1/48 T-34-85 is the recipient of Hauler’s three-fret photo-etched brass upgrade package.
MIDLIFE CRISIS
The cockpit was one of the main improvements when aircraft were upgraded to F-16 Mid-Life Update standard, and modellers can replicate this on Revell’s 1/72 kits, thanks to CMK’s resin set.
WINDY OUTLETS
Having recently re-boxed Revell’s 1/48 and 1/72 Tornado kits, it’s no surprise Eduard has added upgrades for these to its Brassin range, including these exhaust nozzles for the small-scale GR.1 offering.
FIGHTER BOOTS
Designed as a quick and easy upgrade for either Airfix or Trumpeter 1/24 Spitfire kits, this neat resin set comprises two mainwheels that will fit directly onto the undercarriage axle/locating pin.
AIRBORNE DESIGNATOR
Eduard’s resin and photo-etched brass TIALD pod is ideal for any 1/32 Tornado GR.1 or early Harrier GR.7.
NAVAL ACK-ACK
Modellers with 1/350 kits of either World War One ships or destroyers of the A-I-classes during World War Two will find these exquisite 3D-printed 3in anti-aircraft guns a quick and easy upgrade.
STORMING SCHEMES
The second of DK Decals’ Hurricane collections provides markings for 15 schemes and includes examples of the Royal Navy’s Sea Hurricane Mk.I, along with the more common land-based version.
COLOSSUS AND CASEMATE
Star Decals has mirrored two increasing military modelling trends with these decals, as they cater for 1/48 offerings and Finnish insignia.
AUSTRALASIAN TRAINING
H-Models has produced several limited-edition decal sheets for 1/48 Kawasaki Ki-48 Sokei kits, one of which provides this pair of alternative schemes to those supplied in AZ Models styrene or Sanger’s vac-form kits.
TWIN-ENGINED EAGLE KNIGHT
Airliner modellers seeking something different for their Eastern Express, Minicraft, Welsh Models or Zvezda Boeing 757-200 kits may find Decales Global’s AeroMexico set ideal.
SIXTIES SCHOOLING
Part of Air-Graphic’s UK Air Power Series, this superb collection of aftermarket decals covers a range of winged and rotary training types in service with the RAF during the 1960s.