Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
CARTOON COMPANY
Star Decals has produced markings for 1/35 models depicting new M48A3 Patton tanks used by the US Army’s 69th Armored Regiment in Vietnam during January 1965, including ‘B’ Model versions with increased exhaust armour and a raised turret cupola.
CAPTURED BIRDS OF PREY
Brazilian firm LPS Hobby has produced another decal set for 1/72 Curtiss P-36 Hawks, this time depicting aircraft captured by German forces and transferred to Finland for service with the Scandinavian country’s air force.
"SHOOTING AT A PARACHUTE"
Perfect for any 1/32 offering, these Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 decals represent the aircraft of Franz Stigler, a German experten (ace) who escorted a damaged American B-17 to the European coast on December 20, 1943 when he noticed the crew were injured and defenceless.
CIVIL WAR TRIO
This triple-package of 1/72 aircraft markings from Blue Rider Decals covers an unusual set of subjects: Japanese-built machines operated by Communist forces during the Chinese Civil War following the end of World War Two.
DASSAULT 'BURNER'
Ukrainian firm RES/KIT has released this superb resin exhaust set intended for HobbyBoss 1/48 Mirage III offerings; it contains four cast components plus a small photo-etched metal fret containing two items.
DESERT GRIME
Recreating a patina suitable for a vehicle operating in the desert can be challenging, but AMMO-MIG’s bespoke product for Deutsches Afrika Korps vehicles could make it much easier.
FIT FOR A KING
Although marked as suitable for just the ‘Porsche Turret’ boxings of Revell’s 1/72 Tiger II tanks, Hauler’s photo-etched brass fenders are ideal for replacing the one-piece styrene representations provided in any iteration of the basic kit.
AIRBORNE HOCKEY PUCKS
Adding accurate munitions to aircraft models is being made easier by Eduard’s Brassin offerings, including these CBU-97 sensor-fused weapons, which deploy hockey puck-shaped ‘skeet’ projectiles.
SOVIET HARNESSES
If there is one item commonly omitted from World War Two fighter cockpits, it’s the seatbelts.
METAL LANDING GEAR
Modellers worried abut how robust their Spitfire Mk.IX undercarriage is will find Eduard's cast-bronze replacements ideal.
UPRATED MODERNISED FISHBED
Modellers seeking greater refinement for Eduard’s recent 1/72 MiG-21PFM Fishbed-F kits will enjoy the firm’s photo-etched brass upgrade set as it contains a wealth of enhancements for the finished model.
GROWLING AIRLIFTER
Comprising two photo-etched (PE) frets plus a transparent acetate sheet featuring printed instrument dials, Brengun’s upgrade set for Roden’s 1/72 Antonov An-12 (NATO callsign Cub) is a comprehensive package.
SPAD PUNCH
Turned brass cannon barrels are a real boon for any kit, as they feature much sharper detail than styrene equivalents, plus they are engineered to have hollow muzzles.
FLYING JUMP-STARTER
Licence-built in the UK by Blackburn and later Rolls-Royce, Turbomeca’s Palouste gas turbine engine supplied compressed air for starting jet engines and was built into wing-mountable pods to enable aircraft to operate away from their home base.
PRIMARY COLOURS
Sometimes the simplest approach is the best, and that’s the case with LifeColor’s water-based acrylic Essential Basic and Primary Colors range – its initial release provides five shades plus a bottle of matt varnish (LC 27).
HUNTER VIPER
Tailored to suit either of Tamiya’s missile-hunting F-16CJ releases, this two-fret photo-etched metal set from Eduard is designed to augment the kit’s cockpit, canopy, exhaust nozzle, air intake, wingtip missile rails and undercarriage bays.
FLANKER 'BURNERS
Kinetic’s Flankers have received plenty of attention, and these gorgeous 3D-printed nozzles will add a finishing touch to any build.
AIRBORNE CAT INTERNALS
Designed for Revell’s 1/32 Westland Lynx helicopter kits, this photo-etched upgrade set from Eduard includes two frets containing a plethora of enhancements for the interior – one of which features pre-coloured parts.
SAM KILLER
Eduard’s high-quality photo-etched brass and resin AGM-88 HARMs are seven-piece ensembles, with parts for two missiles, comprising a main body/tailfins, control fins, nozzle rings and a choice of long/short-tailed LAU-118 launch rails (for US-designed airframes – Tornados have different adaptors).
ANTI-RADIATION BIRD
Brengun’s 1/32 AGM-45 Shrike is suitable for a variety of kits as this anti-radar missile was used by A-4 Skyhawks, F-105 Thunderchiefs and F-4 Phantoms, among other types.
EMPIRICAL SPRAYING
Modellers with Bandai’s 1/72 Rogue One TIE Striker will find Greenstrawberry’s mask set exceptionally useful, as its three sheets contain pre-cut self-adhesive covers for the air-superiority fighter’s ‘wings’, canopy and ‘fuselage’ fittings.
GROUND ATTACKER UPDATES
Trumpeter’s 1/48 MiG-27 offerings receive comprehensive photo-etched metal upgrades from Eduard in the form of this brass fret.
STRIKE FORCE MOVER
Diorama specialist Big Sky has released the ideal accompaniment to Airfix’s 1/72 Avro Vulcan, Vickers Valiant or Handley Page Victor kits with this 3D-printed Douglas Sentinel towing tractor, which was used as a ‘tug’ with these V-bombers.
OFFICER'S PROTECTION
Modellers wanting to equip their Ukrainian security vehicles may wish to consider Hauler’s police shields, which are often in evidence during clashes with protesters.
'COOKIE' CARRIER
Diorama scenes with Hong Kong Models’ massive 1/32 Lancaster just became a little easier, thanks to Belcher Bits’ impressive Type D bomb trolley, which reproduces the cradle used to carry 4000lb high-capacity bombs (commonly called ‘cookies’).
HIGH-SPEED PANEL
Eduard’s LööK range is a great way to incorporate maximum detail into a cockpit with minimal effort on the part of the modeller, and this set for Tamiya’s P-47M is no exception.
FLOGGER BOOTS
Whether it is Trumpeter’s original MiG-23BN release or Eduard’s re-boxing, this resin and photo-etched (PE) brass product offers a significant upgrade to the kit’s styrene wheels and undercarriage doors.
VINTAGE CLOCKS/DIALS
Although Yahu’s instrument products are usually pre-assembled and intended for a specific type, its 1/32 French dials are pre-painted parts supplied on a photo-etched metal fret, making them ideal for a range of large-scale aircraft models.
HEAT-SEEKING AIR-TO-AIRS
Suitable for adding ordnance to 1/48 models of RAF Typhoons, Harrier GR.9s, Tornado GR.4s, RAF/RN F-35s, Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18s and Indian Air Force Jaguars, this pair of AIM-132 ASRAAM (Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is from Eduard’s Brassin range.