Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
Eduard 1/48 Bf 109G-2 ProfiPACK
Messerschmitt’s legendary Bf 109 is a perennial favourite, and Eduard’s latest boxing (kit 82165) – depicting the unpressurised G-2 version ‒ will certainly please modellers who favour World War Two Luftwaffe subjects.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Hot on the tail of Tamiya’s re-released 1/24 Lotus Super Seven, Motobitz has produced a pair of aftermarket ‘trans-kits’, allowing for a range of variants other than the 1960s design depicted in the kit.
Modelsvit 1/72 Mirage 2000C - New Tool!
It’s funny how quality kits of some aircraft are available in, say, 1/48 scale but a 1/72 equivalent remains elusive (or it happens the other way around). This can certainly be said of the Dassault Mirage 2000C…until now.
‘TWIXT PAINT AND PRIMER
Amusing Hobby's latest 1/35 Sd.Kfz. 184 heavy tank destroyer covers a fascinating subject: the last of the 91 ‘Ferdinand’ vehicles, chassis number 150100, decorated by the factory staff before receiving its camouflage.
NEW MILITARIA FAIR
The Tank Museum has joined forces with fellow Dorset-based firm Duke’s to host a Militaria Fair and Auction on November 6, 2021.
SUPER-SIZE STORM
Airfix has a long history of 1/24 scale ‘superkits’, and its returning Vintage Classics Hawker Hurricane is regarded as among the best of these from the firm’s 1970s-era offerings.
TRICOLORE SOVIETS
Brengun has produced a version of its 1/72 Yak-1B depicting aircraft flown by Groupe de Chasse 3 (3rd Fighter Group) ‘Normandie- Niemen’.
SPY IN THE SKY
There aren’t many kits of remotely piloted aircraft but Platz’s 1/72 RQ-4B Global Hawk is surely the largest.
RECCE TUTOR
ICM has continued to expand its range of Foxbats, which now includes the first of two planned two-seater offerings in the shape of the MiG-25RU reconnaissance conversion trainer.
RED STAR MIRAGE
Special Hobby’s lovely 1/72 Mirage F.1 returns in Revell boxing with spectacular markings for the disbandment of French Air Force Squadron EC 1/30 ‘Normandie Niemen’.
WEIRD BUT WONDERFUL 'WASP'
Part of AB&K’s ‘Luftwaffe Secret Projects 1936-45’ series, this 1/72 resin kit depicts the unusual Heinkel Wespe (wasp) – designed to test vertical take-off and landing from a tail-sitting starting position.
THE BEST, BETTER?
Considering the type’s success, it’s surprising there haven’t been more kits of the T-33A. This offering from Italeri is a re-packaging of Platz’s 2012 tooling, making this an inspired match between the latter’s superb parts and the former’s gorgeous decals, with options for six airframes.
CLOSE-SUPPORT CROMWELL
The second iteration of Airfix’s new-tool 1/35 Cruiser Mk.VIII A27M Cromwell tank caters for the Mk.VI variant, which differs by featuring a 95mm howitzer for close-support operations.
WEHRMACHT WEDGE
ICM’s newly tooled offering depicts a Schwerer geländegängiger gepanzerter Personenkraftwagen (heavy off-road armoured passenger motor vehicle) – also known as Sd.Kfz. 247 Ausf.B.
BRITISH ARMY WORKHORSE
Despite the Leyland Retriever being a common 6x4 truck in British service during World War Two, ICM’s kit is the first 1/35 styrene offering of the type.
'PLAY' OR DISPLAY
Italeri has been a pioneer of wargaming/modelling crossovers and its ZIS 3 with ‘servants’ (gun crew) is typical, with a low parts count and ‘snap-together’ construction, yet providing well-moulded components, making it ideal for builders of all skill levels.
BASTOGNE THUNDERBOLT
Released as part of Dragon’s Battle of the Bulge series, its up-gunned ‘wet-stowage’ Sherman has returned with new markings to depict vehicles operated by American units involved in countering the German Ardennes offensive of 1944/45.
ARMED HAULAGE
This is the first time IBG’s 1/72 Diamond T 968 has appeared as a standard cargo lorry since the initial release in 2014, and adds a Browning M2 machine gun to the cab roof.
TANK CARRIER
A common sight behind Sd.Kfz 7 or Sd.Kfz. 9 half-tracks, the Sonderanhänger 115 trailer could carry vehicles of up to 10,000kg, yet this is the first styrene kit of the type in 1/72.
NORMANDY DEFENDERS
It’s great to see Dragon’s 1/72 re-releases, such as its mid-production Panzer IV Ausf. H with schürzen armour plating.
LUFTWAFFE EXPERTEN
Intended as an accessory for Special Hobby’s recent 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109E kits, but equally applicable to iterations of this sub-type by other manufacturers, CMK’s two-figure set depicts Luftwaffe pilot Adolf Galland and a mechanic standing by the former’s aircraft.
A PROUD FRENCH TANK CREW
The title of this lovely five-figure set from ICM is slightly misleading, as it comprises what appears to be three military figures (two of which seem to be tank crew – an FCM 36 is depicted on the box artwork) and two children who want to look at the tank.
’TASHED 'JOCK'
The third in ToRo’s splendid military caricature series features an ‘archetypal’ Scottish officer as part of the British Eight Army ‘Desert Rats’ during World War Two.
CEREMONIAL SOLDIER
A member of the Representative Honor Guard Regiment of the Polish Armed Forces is among the latest additions to ICM’s 1/16 ‘World’s Guards’ series of figure models.
FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM
Having been released in several iterations by the riginal producer, Italian firm Esci, this pack of World War Two-era partisan figures has now entered Italeri’s range.
“SEND A MESSAGE”
Master Box’s German Military Men set is a rather unusual mix, comprising two members of the Wehrmacht Feldgendarmerie (Military Police), one of whom is in dispatch-rider attire, a member of the Signal Corps preparing a cable reel and what appears to be an NCO and a map-reading officer.
Fabulous Feline
The arrival of Revell’s 1/24 new-tool E-type Jaguar fixed-head coupé coincides roughly with the 50th anniversary of the real car’s launch, although the parts are most appropriate for a 1962-produced vehicle.
FIZZ ON WHEELS
Airfix’s Quickbuild series is a great way to introduce youngsters to the hobby, and the bright schemes adopted are sure to grab the attention.
‘PROFESSOR’ IN PORTUGAL
Fresh to NuNu’s range of automotive kits is this 1/20 McLaren MP4/2C, with decals supplied to replicate the vehicles raced at the 1986 Portuguese Grand Prix, held at the Estoril circuit.