SCALE MODEL NEWS

SMN REPORT: Newcomer kit-maker Kitty Hawk Models has already received praise for its excellent inaugural model, the 1:48 scale Lockheed F-94C Starfire. And now here’s a really badly needed subject to the same scale, the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Expensive bird The real thing, known as the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) has had a chequered development, with massive cost overruns on the way (nothing new there, then) but it’s starting to get past those development problems now, with the STOVL (Short Takeoff, Vertical Land) ‘B’ version the subject of this kit by Kitty Hawk. Picture story We’ll let the pix tell the story of this Kitty Hawk model - suffice to say that we’ll be first on the block to fly this kit into the assembly zone at SMN Towers. Testing in the tunnel Here’s a real-world model in the form of a scale F-35 built for wind tunnel research. In the pic below, engineer Tim Wright examines an F-35 LIghtning II Joint Strike Fighter model in the Arnold Engineering Development ...

SMALLSPACE COUNTDOWN: The smallspace “model show for all things space, science fiction and fantasy” will be held this Sunday, July 1, and among the sci-fi stars on display will be the original K-9 robot dog from Doctor Who. Old and new robots The robotic dog stars at smallspace courtesy Mat Irvine ( above ), who has also co-written with Mike Tucker the seminal book BBC VFX . K-9 at smallspace is the original dog, but a newer one was created for an Australian TV series. Here are a couple of pix from the TV series, and note how advanced our canine mechanoid now looks. Detail-up model There are plenty of K-9 collectibles around, but injection kits are hard to come by, that’s for sure, so for model-makers the best bet is to start with a ready-built, then use it as the basis for a superdetailed display model. Kit-bashing from the ground up is another possibility, and if you go this route, then something entirely new might be an interesting route to take. Deadly dog The Sydney-based ...

DAVID JEFFERIS REPORTS: The X-37B mini-Space Shuttle made a landing recently, after a record-breaking orbital flight lasting nearly 15 months. Its missions are US Air Force secrets, but the appearance is less so - and with this latest 1:48 scale kit, you can add a state-of-the-art robotic spacecraft to your display shelf. About the kit This Fantastic Plastic X-37B kit is a larger and more detailed version of the earlier 1:72 X-37B sold in FP’s Virtual Museum Store. In addition to precise exterior detailing, FP’s new 1:48 kit also includes a cargo bay and landing gear. It’s a resin kit, so is more suitable for experienced modelmakers. Having said that, with just 31 components it shouldn’t be too difficult to assemble - and perhaps makes an ideal choice for a first resin build. Brief Stats * Scale: 1:48 * Material: Resin * Number of Pieces: 31 * Pattern and casting by BLAP! Models * Decals by JBOT About the spacecraft The X-37B orbital robotic spaceplane was designed to be launched vert...

MAT IRVINE MINI-WEEKENDER: Here’s a pub quiz-style question for you: “What is the smallest-ever model kit?” And the answer is: “Probably the one featured here!” It’s a tiny two-piece model of a Nike Hercules surface-to-air missile, apparently made by Revell - except that it wasn’t... My Merry playsets The Nike Hercules was actually made for a playset, a type of toy popular in the 1950s and 1960s especially, and mostly an American phenomenon, though there were quite a few British examples. The tiny Nike Hercules was made as part of a ‘My Merry Hobby Shop’ playset made by Merry ( top right above ), and scale-wise was intended to look like a ‘full-size’ kit on the playset shelves. It’s a more-than-somewhat simplified kit with just two parts, and instructions and decals are not included, though the box-art does indicate red stripes and ‘US Army’ markings!  Size and scale Size-wise, the Nike Hercules box measures 45 mm (1.8 in) high by 20 mm (0.8 in) wide. The assembled (I use the term ...

DAVID JEFFERIS REPORTS: Hobby Link Japan has some tasty sale bargains in the ‘plasmo’ (plastic model) line for Japanese hardware enthusiasts. Here are just a few of the dozens of offers, many at less than half-price. Unusual kits available Hobby Link Japan has a terrific website, and the company exports all over the world, and as HLJ hails from Japan, it’s a real specialist in tasty and unusual local models. These sale items are titled in HLJ-speak: ‘plasmos’, which is a neat contraction that we may borrow! There are dozens of kits on offer, so here are just a few tasters to think about.     Early RX-7 can be motorized For the home market, the rotary-engine Mazda RX-7 was titled the Savannah. The svelte machine is modelled here by Aoshima to 1:20 scale, and can be motorized, though the required RE-260 motor is not supplied - however, gears, leads and electric contacts components are in the box. Likewise, the car can be wired up for lighting, though bulbs are not supplied...

The new model show from the HaMeX organisers is arriving soon, with liftoff planned for Stardate: July 1, 2012. The  smallspace  event will feature a galaxy of space, science-fiction and fantasy modelling. Voice of K-9, the robot dog A fantastic day is promised for UK model fans at the smallspace model spectacular, liftoff due in a couple of Sundays, on July 1, 2012. There’s heaps of stuff on offer, including a special guest from TV’s famed Doctor Who, none other than the 'voice of K-9' himself, John Leeson ( above ). And the actual special effects prop K-9, as used in both Doctor Who and The Sarah-Jane Adventures, will be alongside. You will be able to chat with John, have your picture taken, and maybe - for a modest fee - get a signed photograph. BBC VFX duo BBC Visual Effects Designer, Mike Tucker ( above ) will also be attending smallspace . Mike is seen here with the Big Ben clock tower model he designed and filmed for the first series of the new Doctor Who. Mike’s ...