Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
DESERT DIRECTIONS
MiniArt is something of a diorama specialist when it comes to its aftermarket products, and this splendid set of signposts suitable for 21st century Syria is a good example – recycling the basic poles and backing plates from previous offerings with all-new labels for this Arabic country.
DECORATOR’S STOCK
Smaller details can make all the difference when planning/constructing a diorama, so items such as Reality in Scale’s 1/35 Paint Can set will be greatly appreciated by scene builders.
BUMPER HIND DECAL COLLECTION
You could build Hind gunships for years if trying to represent all the schemes offered with Begamot's new decal package for the Mi-24P/Mi-35P helicopter. Its a stunning, comprehensive selection in 1/72 scale.
REICH DEFENCE MESSERSCHMITT
Eduard's splendid 1/48 Bf 109 parts are now available in Weekend Edition format to represent a G-10 'Erla' aircraft, with four fresh colour schemes.
TEST MACHINES DECAL SELECTION
Test aircraft make highly attractive modelling subjects, and Air-Graphic's new decals covering British airframes represent some of the best and brightest. CHRIS CLIFFORD's review also recommends suitable kits and reference books.
RADIATION HUNTER
Introduced in 1985 and still in use today, the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missile is the subject of Brengun’s 1/48 accessory, providing a pair of these munitions (each comprising five resin parts), with pylons being separate three-part constructions.
DROPPER TONES
Figure painting is gaining in popularity, and with products such as AMMO-MIG’s specialised sets of appropriate hues – here catering for World War Two US paratroopers – it’s easy to see why.
TIGER MOTH TRIMMINGS
ICM’s newly tooled 1/32 Tiger Moth has been well-received, but those seeking additional detail will find Eduard’s photo-etched steel fret a boon.
FLANKER POINT
There aren’t many kits of the Su-33 in 1/48 scale, but regardless of their age there is one item that is readily suitable for an aftermarket upgrade: the pitot, which is either too thick or (if scaled properly) extremely delicate.
GLUE, FILLER AND MORE FROM AMMO
Getting low on your stocks of glue, filler and the like? Then why not replenish all in one hit with AMMO Mig's handy First Step Set?
BUMPER CROP FROM ICM – INVADERS, WEAPONS AND PAINT!
ICM has released a further two 1/48 Douglas Invader kits, along with separate weapons and paint sets. Check out our news story and photos.
PANZER IV ROUNDS
Given MiniArt’s attention to detail, this set for a long-barrelled Panzer IV would seem superfluous, but by supplying additional shells and ammunition boxes it allows modellers to either vary the combat load or create a resupply scene.
CARB CORRECTION
Revell’s 1/32 Spitfire Mk.IX is the recipient of BarracudaCast’s resin corrective component to replace the styrene equivalent.
ALL STRAPPED IN
If there’s one aspect of a cockpit that is challenging to replicate via injection moulded styrene, it’s the seatbelts/harnesses.
ROCKET BOOSTERS
While the packaging states that these are for a Ju 88A-2, the Walter HWK ‘pods’ were also used on several other bomber and transport types.
TABLE-TOP TANK KIT
Whether built for combat within Zvezda's own Art of Tactic gaming system, or purely for a small-scale display piece, the firm's 1/100 SU-122 is a little gem.
THE FORTRESS REVISITED
Schiffer Publishing's second hardback study of the Boeing B-17 offers great value and plentiful detail.
1/72 JETSTREAM ‘UNIFORMS’
Whether you have Amodel or Airfix 1/72 Jetstream kits, Xtradecal's new markings selection for the type is a must. It covers British and export airframes.
VIDEO: Greenstrawberry Colonial Raptor Fruitpack Detail Sets
Chris Clifford and Mike Wild discuss the Fruitpack Detail Sets for the Moebius Colonial raptor kit, from sci-fi aftermarket specialist Greenstrawberry. Check out the video here.
BARRELLING ROUND A BEAR
Euro Decals’ 1/72 markings provide for a quartet of F-4 Phantom IIs, including an example that was famously photographed performing a barrel roll around a Soviet Tu-97 Bear at the request of the bomber’s aircrew!
ABRAMS’ TANKS
The namesake of the M1 Abrams main battle tank, Creighton Abrams had a reputation as an aggressive armour commander in World War Two - modellers can replicate the M4 Shermans he used with Star Decals’ 1/35 markings.
EAGLE BF 109 SCHEMES
Whether this set is used as an alternative for Eduard’s 1/48 Adlerangriff Bf 109 boxing or just the firm’s standard Bf 109E- 3 and -4 offerings, the result will be five eye-catching liveries as worn by these Luftwaffe fighters during and after the Battle of Britain.
TRAINING THE TESTERS
Air-Graphic’s compilation sheets offer a broad selection of subjects and this sheet provides markings for aircraft and helicopters assigned to the US Navy’s Test Pilot School at Patuxent Naval Air Station, Maryland.
GOING DOWNTOWN
Among the recent gaggle of Phantom II kits, Zoukei-Mura's F-4E is a real winner. Mike Williams builds and weathers this stunning offering.
NEW KIT BRAND FROM EX-WINGNUT WINGS CREW
Ex-team members from New Zealand's Wingnut Wings have re-united to create their own new kit brand... Kōtare. Learn more about Kōtare here!
FRITZ AND FANG COLLECTION
Suitable for either MPM or Gran 1/72 La-9 (NATO nickname Fritz) and La-11 (Fang) kits, this magnificent collection of late Lavochkin fighters provides markings for 29 schemes, with examples of Indonesian, Chinese, Soviet, Romanian and North Korean machines.
SUPERFORTRESS SCHEMES
Modellers with Academy, Airfix or re-boxings of these two manufacturers’ 1/72 B-29 kits will find the alternative schemes supplied by Kits-World’s busy decal sheet of interest.
JUMP-JET DATA
Modellers seeking replacement/ extra stencils for their Hasegawa/ Revell/Eduard H1/48 Harrier GR.7/9 kits will find this decal sheet from Eduard extremely useful.
FOXBAT FINESSE
Modern aircraft are covered in a wealth of stencil data markings, but these are often omitted from small-scale kits due to the difficulty of replicating such tiny elements; helpfully, Foxbot has produced a set of stencils for 1/72 MiG-25 Foxbat kits.
SNAKE CHARMER
Massimo Santarossa takes on a Cobra with Special Hobby's re-issued 1/72 AH-1G gunship.