Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
FELINE MACHINERY
Modellers with 1/35 kits depicting early-model Tiger tanks may wish to consider this selection of unusual markings options from Star Decals.
D-DAY MARINES
While small-scale kits depicting the Sherman M4A4 variant with the Chrysler A57 ‘cloverleaf’ engine housed in an extended rear hull and widely spaced bogies are unusual, those seeking an alternative scheme for such offerings will enjoy this Star Decals’ product.
MEDICAL TRANSPORT
Food Machinery Corp’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has been adapted to provide a wide array of specialist vehicles and its ambulance variants are the subject of Star Decals’ 13th collection of Israel Defense Force (IDF) Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs).
ANTI-TANK MUNITIONS
Although they appear similar to conventional explosive munitions, Eduard’s 1/72 Brassin fittings depict the BL755 cluster bombs developed by Hunting Aircraft and used by the RAF between 1972-2008.
AUXILIARY ADDITIONS
Intended to replace the styrene representations of the external fuel tanks supplied with its 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109G kits, Eduard has released this Brassin set, containing two distinct fittings.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE PROTECTION
Eduard’s 1/72 AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod is suitable for a range of US Air Force types and is a simple addition, comprising just a single cast component.
'PONY' PIPES
Here’s a simple but effective upgrade for Revell’s recent 1/32 P-51D Mustang, in the form of Eduard’s Brassin exhaust outlets.
RETAILER RESURGENCE
THERE’S BEEN a boost to the scale model industry with an announcement that hobby retailer Modelzone has been relaunched as a specialist brand under the ownership of the WHSmith retail chain.
MODELLING TRIBUTE
Members of Bedford and District Scale Model Club have produced a Battle of Britain-themed diorama and are raising funds for two mental health charities as a tribute to a club member who sadly took his own life during July 2020.
DISPLAY CASE
Well-travelled plastic, ‘what-if’ history, modelling experimentation and modified offerings comprise this month’s selection of reader-submitted projects.
Airfix Model World December 2020
Welcome to the latest issue of Airfix Model World – AMW121, December 2020. The latest edition features an exclusive build of Airfix’s new 1/72 Buccaneer S.2B. Accompanying it is Special Hobby's 1/72 Super Mystere/Sa'ar, Accurate Armour's 1/35 FV434, a 1/32 Mustang P-51D-5 build and plus the latest news and product reviews. Read the full issue in PDF format here or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure during October.
REGULATIONS, RAIN AND RESOURCES
NEWARK AIR Museum has responded to COVID-19 restrictions and extreme weather conditions with work on several exhibits plus a JustGiving page to raise funds for further projects given the imminent loss of visitor revenue.
VALIANT UPSIZING
IN FURTHER good news, popular aviation and specialist modelling publisher Valiant Wings has announced it has moved to a larger warehouse space – safeguarding its survival for the future.
CELEBRATIVE STORM
WITH 2020 marking 80 years since the Battle of Britain, it’s fitting that a new reference covering the Hawker Hurricane has been announced, in the form of Valiant Wings’ latest Airframe & Miniature title.
DOUBLE ROMAN REVEAL
SPECIAL HOBBY has delighted modellers by announcing newly tooled SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 kits in 1/72 and 1/48, and has now revealed a selection of parts from the upcoming small-scale release.
HEAVY-HITTING ARTILLERY
Known as the Acht-Acht (eight-eight), the German 88mm FlaK 36/37 gun is the subject of Airfix's 1/76 set - complete with Sd.Kfz.7 half-track prime mover.
MIRAGE MISSILES
French aircraft armaments are garnering attention from aftermarket accessory producers, such as this pair of Matra R.530 air-to-air weapons from Eduard's Brassin range.
SECOND-GEN RATTLESNAKES
Following sweeping reviews of air-to-air missile usage in the late 1960s, the US Navy introduced improved versions of the standard AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the resulting AIM-9G/H versions are the subject of Eduard's Brassin set.
TARGET DISPATCHED
Eduard has added a set of eight 1/72 AGM-114 Hellfire Air-Ground Missiles to its Brassin range, complete with a set of hardpoints capable of carrying four weapons each.
'FRIEDRICH' FEATHERS
This set of landing flaps from Eduard's Brassin range is designed to replace the styrene representation of the trailing edge parts on the firm's 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf 109F kits.
SPIT' 'BONNET'
While Eduard's 1/48 Spitfires are superb, one aspect that can be challenging is constructing the two-part upper engine cowling without an unsightly seam - hence this one piece-section, intended to replace that sub-assembly on the firm's Mk.XVI kits is an ideal solution.
EXPORT LANDING
Modellers with the Kittyhawk Mk.Ia version of Special Hobby's 1/72 Curtiss P-40 kits can add deployed landing flaps courtesy of this Eduard phot-etched brass set.
EIGHT-WHEELER REFINEMENT
Here's a photo-etched brass upgrade set for MiniArt's 1/35 early Panzer III kits, depicting tanks fitted with the intermediate eight road-wheel configuration and leaf-sprung suspension.
MEDIUM BOMBER INNARDS
Italeri is one of several manufacturers to re-box Accurate Minatures' 1/48 North American B-25 Mitchell, meaning Eduard's interior set should be equally suitable for these kits plus those in Academy, Doyusha and Revell packaging.
AIR-SEA RESCUER INTERNALS
Even modern styrene kits can be enhanced with the addition of photo-etched metal parts, including Airfix's recent 1/72 Westland Sea King offerings, which are the recipient of Eduard's two-fret interior set.
CITRUS SPRAYING POWER
SPARMAX HAS added a pair of strikingly finished compressors to its range, with these ‘Quantum Orange’ products featuring an innovative twin-outlet system allowing quick changeovers between airbrushes without having to disconnect.
DISPLAY CASE
This month's selection of readers' submissions demonstrates the breadth of scale modelling subjects, ranging from a family member's aircraft on a specific day to an imaginative reinterpretation of tank parts as a custom motorcycle.
Airfix Model World November 2020
Welcome to the latest issue of Airfix Model World – AMW120, November 2020. The latest edition coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and features an exclusive build of Airfix’s newly tooled 1/72 Spitfire Mk.Vc. Accompanying it is a pair of Zoukei-Mura Ho 229 fighters in 1/72 and 1/144, Eduard’s recent 1/48 Tempest Mk.V and more - plus the latest news and product reviews. Read the full issue in PDF format here or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure during October.
AEROJUMBLE CANCELLATION
FOLLOWING IN-HOUSE discussions and responses to the UK Government's latest guidance following COVID-19 restrictions, Newark Air Museum has announced its planned Aeroboot sale on September 26 has been cancelled.