Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
MIRAGE RACKS
Intended for Kinetic’s recent Mirage 2000 kits, this set of four fuselage-mounted pylons allows for a full air-to-ground or air-to-air munitions fit.
AVRO ADD-ONS
Revell’s recent Lancaster B.I/III is the subject of this two-fret photo-etched metal upgrade package, which offers a mix of plain and pre-painted components for the kit’s interior.
RUNNING GEAR TONES
All-in-one weathering packs are becoming increasingly common, and this set provides a one-stop shop for modellers wanting to paint and dirty a model’s wheels and/or tracks and includes a step-by-step guide to achieving the best effects.
PILOT ACCESS
This superbly cast set comprises two accurately detailed Spitfire pilot hatches, complete with a separate crowbar for each, suitable for any airframe from the Mk.V through to the F Mk.24.
COLT DIALS
Designed to fit the Hobby Boss AN-2 Colt kit, Yahu’s pre-assembled and painted instrument panel is a two-piece affair and is a drop-in replacement for the styrene component.
DEFENSIVE FIREPOWER
Although it is stated this set is intended for the ICM Do 17Z (also re-boxed by Eduard), it’s also suitable for 1/48 kits by Classic Airframes and Hobbycraft.
BULLION STORE
Modellers wanting to build a small-scale Kelly’s Heroes-style scene just got a helping hand from Hauler with its 1/72 resin and photo-etched brass safe, which comes complete with interior compartments, and gold bullion in the shape of a stack of 12 bars and four individual items – ideal for that ‘opening the door’ moment.
WOODLAND BASE
Creating a convincing diorama base can be challenging, but Reality in Scale’s pre-formed 20 x 30cm Landscape Mats, such as the Forest Floor, will reduce the work greatly.
FIRST VANGUARD
Modellers wanting to backdate their AZ Model or Sword Vanguard to the first prototype airframe need look no further than this splendid resin conversion set from Arctic Decals, produced in association with Dekno Models.
HEINKEL GREENHOUSE
This is one of five Eduard photoetched brass sets designed for ICM’s 1/48 Heinkel He 111 and is focused on the extensively glazed nose section, including components for the pilot and navigator/bomb-aimer positions.
HOVERING FOR TWO
In the absence of a dedicated two-seat Harrier II kit, there have been several attempts to produce conversion sets for either Monogram’s or Hasegawa’s single-seater offerings.
PHANTOM LASER
Here’s a handy accessory for modellers wanting to build a 1970s/1980s-era laser-designating US Air Force F-4D Phantom, in the shape of a four-part PAVE Tack pod and associated adapter ‘shoe’ for the type’s centreline pylon.
DISCO-ERA ‘CONNIE’
Having caused a stir in the Season 1 finale of Star Trek: Discovery, the restyled Constitution-class USS Enterprise is now available as a 1/2500 Polar Lights kit, for which Greenstrawberry has produced a photo-etched metal upgrade.
VIXEN INTAKES
Creating seamless inner surfaces on intakes can be challenging, especially ones to be finished in white, so this resin set from Alleycat is ideal for those with Airfix’s 1/48 Sea Vixen.
LEGACY BUG EXHAUSTS
Designed to fit Kinetic’s ‘legacy’ F/A-18 Hornet kits, this neat resin and photo-etched (PE) brass set provides new jet pipes and exhaust nozzles for the jet’s General Electric F404 powerplants and comes with a choice of open or closed configuration.
TORNADO JAMMER
Eduard’s resin 1/48 Skyshadow pod is ideal for any RAF Tornado GR, replacing kit components with a far superior alternative that’s also good value for money.
ALL IN A CLUSTER
Eduard has recently expanded its range of Brassin accessories to cover a variety of large-scale munitions, and one of its latest additions is this set of six 1/32 Mk.20 Rockeye fittings.
ANTI-SUBMARINE SHOOTER
Squid anti-submarine launchers were a common sight on Royal Navy destroyers from late World War Two to the 1960s, and Black Cat’s new 3D-printed set provides two of these triple-barrelled units.
AIRACOBRA BOOTS
Eduards’ own 1/48 P-39 is the intended recipient for these replacement resin wheels; the nose unit is a single-piece drop in for the kit’s styrene alternative and the mainwheels are two-part items, with a separate outer hub, which should ease painting.
RE-USEABLE COVERINGS
While kabuki-style tape masking is more popular than vinyl, the latter does have advantages when it comes to multiple usage, being far more robust.
EXCELSIOR UPGRADES
It’s the turn of AMT’s 1994-vintage Excelsior-class USS Enterprise-B to receive an aftermarket refit, courtesy of this comprehensive photo-etched brass and resin set.
TOMCAT THRUST
Modellers wishing to add further detail to Academy’s recent 1/72 F-14A Tomcat should consider CMK’s range of resin enhancements, which includes this representation of the type’s portside Pratt & Whitney TF-30-P-14 turbofan.
TUBE WITH A FIN
It’s a common misconception that pitot tubes are all just hollow pipes; those fitted to many US aircraft during World War Two (including P-36, P-39, P-40, P-47, A-3, B-239, T-6 and B-25) were fitted with a ‘shark-fin’ probe tip –a detail missed in almost every kit.
HATS AND BOXES
While CMK has suggested this accessory set is for its Marder II anti-tank gun, these lovely resin extras would be useful for most German artillery systems.
FANFARE FOR A T-TAIL
Vickers’ VC10 is one of the most easily recognisable airliner types, with its distinctive engine and tail configuration and it has been well served by kit manufacturers compared with other similar types.
SPITFIRE REVISITED
While the first edition of this Airframe and Miniature guide was well-received by modellers, its expanded version, featuring revised and updated content makes for the perfect introduction to the Spitfire.
YUGOSLAVIA’S ’109
Although World War Two brought about huge advances in aviation, it also curtailed many promising designs, including the Yugoslavian Rogožarski IK-3, regarded as an equal to the Bf 109E when it entered service in 1940, and the subject of this exhaustive study.
LAND LEVIATHANS
Pen and Sword’s Tankcraft series’ 25th volume examines the German Tiger I and II heavy tanks, providing modellers with a combination of historical research, colour profiles, a round-up of available modelling products and a gallery of build projects.
THE MUD OFFENSIVE
This lavishly illustrated and well-written volume covers the Soviet conquest of south-eastern Europe between March and October 1944 and is packed with information.