SCALE MODEL NEWS

David Jefferis reports: Tabletop modelmakers are used to relatively small sizes - for example, 1:32 or 1:24 scale are about the normal maximum for injection-moulded aircraft. But step outside into the world of flying scale models, and it seems there’s almost no upper limit. Detailed data used to create computerized 3D model. Target - a better Boeing WingSpan Models, based in Atlanta, Georgia, was established by Michael Kramer out of his desire for a better scale Boeing B-17. As a mechanical design engineer, he worked in the consumer electronics industry for almost 20 years on products such as cell phones, two-way radios, and dishwashers. He is the holder of several US design patents on products he helped to develop. 1:6 scale WSM B-17 during assembly. Computer data And now Michael’s goal is to design, manufacture and distribute: “the highest quality products from plans, kits, and accessories, backing them with unparalleled customer service.” That’s an excellent philosophy, and Michael ...

SMN report: Ready for release in October is this what-if proposal for a supersonic Harrier replacement, from way back in the early 1980s. The team at Fantastic Plastic has revived the design with a 1:72 scale kit, patterned and cast by Anigrand Craftswork, of Hong Kong. Forward-sweep fighter The particular design chosen is the Hawker (BAe Kingston) P1214-3, an amazing looking machine with forward-swept wings, giving it a science-fictional X-wing appearance when viewed from above or below. In fact, further studies by the BAe team showed that forward-sweep didn’t give any real benefits, and the following P1216 design ( below ) kept the twin tails, but swapped the wing for a more conventional swept-back configuration. What’s in the box ? As for the kit, it’s a resin model, split into a relatively few major components. It’ll doubtless be somewhat more demanding to build than an injection kit, but the reward will be in making a model of a rather bizarre-looking aircraft that, in theory at l...

Just a word to say we've been playing around with layouts recently and think we have something that will be cleaner, more attractive, easier to read, and will include a far better way to look again at previous articles. So come back very soon for more news of the update's progress - we're loving it and trust you will too. btw The aircraft shown is a 1:72 Hasegawa A-10, modified as a Reno Racer for the first remote-piloted UAV race, Year 2020... or thereabouts!

SMN report: While we’re on the subject of rocket-powered Japanese aircraft ( Okha article last week, see link below ) here is another 1:48 scale release from the FineMolds stable, the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (‘Sharp Sword’), a single-seat World War II interceptor based closely on the German Messerschmitt Me163 Komet. Optional markings The Shusui was a small machine, though bigger than the Ohka - to 1:48 scale the Shusui’s wingspan is just 198 mm (7.8 in), with a nose to rocket-nozzle length of some 126 mm (4.97 in). There is a choice of markings, green or orange, both with the blood-red rising sun meatball for wings and tail.  Accessory pack There is also an accessory set available separately, with a raft of metal-etch components to improve the already excellent mouldings. Of particular note is the seat panel, with sharply-defined seat-belt and D-ring harness. There are a number of spanners supplied too, quite remarkably fine at this scale - definitely a case of ‘magnifying glass req...

SMN report: Revell is planning a nice Christmas present for military aviation fans - it’s the Airbus A400M airlifter to 1:72 scale. Fitting neatly in size between the smaller C-130 Hercules and the bigger C-17, the A400 is Europe’s tactical transport solution that is finally, after many delays, making its way toward operational status. A big A400M model The Revell kit will be quite a brute, with a wingspan of 588 mm (23.15 in) and length of 626 mm (24.6 in), so make sure there’s room available on that display shelf. We show here test shots of the 210-component model, and detail looks pretty good, with refuelling probe faithfully reproduced, as well as a neatly-cut forward door and steps.  Flight deck windows It looks as if Revell has decided to do a one-piece flightdeck transparency, leaving the modelmaker to mask off the windows before painting. The swept-blade props appear to have the correct (complex) shape, while the vast interior is revealed by the opening rear door. There see...

SMN report: Due for release late October is an item that sci-fi model fans have long been crying out for - an injection-moulded kit of the Spinner Police Car from the classic 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner. It’s going to be a 1:24 production from Fujimi, and brings that near-three decade famine to an end, and should bring Fujimi’s talents to the fore with clean mouldings and accurate detail. Choose your Spinner mode The Fujimi Spinner can be built in two driving modes, as a ground runner or in wheels-up flightworthy configuration. Decals are supplied by the excellent Italian Cartograf company, so these will be state-of-the-art productions.  Test shots for the kit were completed in blue and other shades, but apparently the production models will be plain white and clear. Aaah... it’s been a looong time fellow Blade Runner fans, but Fujimi finally puts a smile on this fan’s face! Pictures above courtesy the excellent Gunjap site, link below. Syd Mead aerodynes A word for non...

SMN report: It seems to be ‘1:48 scale week’ here at SMN - and here’s another look at this scale with a beautifully produced pair of kits from FineMolds of Japan. Similar in concept to the automated German V-1 flying bomb, the single-seat Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka ensured precise targeting by having a Japanese pilot onboard, to guide the deadly craft towards Allied shipping. Ohka loading trolley The MXY-7 Ohka flying bomb version has 69 cleanly-produced components, which fit together well. There’s a modicum of internal detail, but painted carefully, it will look OK. FineMolds has rightly included a loading trolley, on which the real thing was wheeled under its Betty mother-plane, ready for attachment before takeoff and flight. Colour scheme for these machines was usually a pale grey, and details for these are included, as is an accurately-printed decal sheet. The Ohka was a tiny little thing - at 1:48 scale the FineMolds miniature has a wingspan that measures just under 107 mm (4.2 in). K-1 ...

SMN report: The ModelSpace brand from publisher DeAgostini has a fascinating offer starting now: a dozen-vehicle range of vehicles from the days of World War II, and the later Cold War era, when the Soviet Empire vied with the West. You speak Russian? Each 1:43 scale car comes with an imported Russian-language magazine (two spreads shown above) so, unless you speak Russian, you’ll need to crank up your Google translator program. Actually, the language drawback makes the whole thing a lot more interesting, as the cars are only available on general sale today in Russia and the Ukraine. Marvel and drool In the words of DeAgostini’s somewhat breathless copywriter: “Marvel at Russian build quality, drool over Soviet refinements - the country that invented austerity!” And that’s about right as, powerful as the USSR was politically, the quality of its technology was, should we say, rather basic. Iron Curtain machines did the job, but with little notion of style or finesse. Style knockoffs The...