SCALE MODEL NEWS

SMN REPORT Revell’s output of ships is strong at the moment, and here’s an up to the moment 1:350 scale kit of the USS New York , a tech-packed amphibious warfare ship. About the kit This kit is interesting not just for the ship itself, but for the combat craft that come with it. The USS New York is a formidable attack machine, which the kit reflects pretty well, supplying hovercraft, landing craft, assault vehicles, eight helos and a pair of Osprey tilt-rotor transports. Destined for a diorama? The USS New York comes in 1:350 scale, giving the assembled vessel a length of some 594 mm (23.4 in) so it’s a good size, especially if you unload the combat craft and display them around it. Of course, a model like this is just made for a diorama setting, and the various landing craft will only look convincing while floating on a simulated ocean surface. You’ll also have to source some 1:350 crew figures to finish it off well - try a set to the same scale made by Tamiya, link and pic at the ...

SMN REPORT: Industria Mechanika are making a name for original sci-fi and fantasy modelmaking, and here are some of the latest works being prepped for sale. Big kit In IM's words, “Traverse the cosmos in the OrbShip, designed by world-renowned concept designer Scott Robertson.”  Made to 1:48 scale, the OrbShip builds up to a good size, and being in this standard scale, will sit nicely with existing aircraft and military models, especially those depicting ‘what-if’ scenarios. The kit contains: * 46 resin components. * One photo-etch brass detail-up sheet. * Nine precision laser-cut windows. * Precise scale pilot figure. * Detailed instructions plus mini-poster. Impressive build When assembled, the OrbShip measures some 378 mm 12.5 in) long, and stands about 127-153 mm (5-6 in) high, depending on landing gear configuration. Width is 108 mm (4.25 in), and according to Industria Mechanika, “It’s impressively big when done!” About Scott 46-year old Scott Robertson is a leading concept a...

SMN REPORT: More temptation for you helo fans, in the form of this eye candy from Revell, showing build-up pix of the 1:32 Sea Lynx Mk 88, and very handsome it looks too, especially in the optional anniversary markings shown here. About the kit Due for release in time for Christmas, the 1:32 scale Revell Sea Lynx measures some 415 mm (16.3 in) long, with a rotor diameter of 401 mm (15.8 in). There are plenty of parts to keep you busy, 265 in all, with optional weapons that include pairs of homing torpedoes and Sea Skua missiles.  What’s inside With these big-scale kits, Revell goes to great lengths to satisfy detail-freaks like us. Here’s a list of what to expect when you open up the box: * New mould. * Fine surface detail, recessed panel lines. * Interior includes textured side walls. * Cockpit with instrument panel, realistic seats. * Sonar system with system racks. * Nose section has correct radome and antennas. * Pilots doors optionally open, sliding side doors. * Detailed land...

SMN REPORT For anyone who saw or built the original Matchbox kit, this Revell Platinum Edition must bring back memories. Even better, this 2012 version, due in November, will bring the Flower-class ship to new levels of detail. About the kit 1:72 scale is big for any ship kit, let alone a naval vessel like a corvette with 90-odd crew, so it’s no surprise that the assembled model measures some 850 mm (33.5 in) long. But it’s the parts-count that is somewhat astonishing - at 1214 parts, it may take longer to put together than one of the real ships. The prototype took more than five months to build, but mass-production soon cut this dramatically, to a new hull down the slipway every 23 days or so. Mind you, there’s a big difference between a shipyard and model bench, so you may be forgiven for taking somewhat longer to build the Revell kit.  Platinum Edition details Revell has gone to great lengths to make detail-freaks like us happy. Here’s a list of what to expect in the box: * Phot...

SMN REPORT This could be the 1:72 scale kit sensation of the year, and it’s about to land in the model stores anytime now. The Short Sunderland, nicknamed Fliegendes Stachelschwein (Flying Porcupine) by enemy aircrews for its defensive firepower, has been somewhat shortchanged in the kit department until now. Good looking We have high hopes for this latest production from Italeri, as the detail looks terrific, and it comes complete with such niceties as internal cockpit fittings and metal-etch components. Airfix Sunderland The old-stager Airfix kit has been around for many years, and in its day represented a high-water mark for large-scale kits. Of course, it’s still in production, but we have to say that it’s more than time that someone came up with something to raise the bar. Well done Italeri We’re looking forward to having a close look when it arrives. Meantime, congrats to Italeri for bringing the big flying boat to market.  Old timer still on sale (above) forms centrepiece ...

MAT IRVINE REPORTS: The ‘futuristic’ title may now seem slightly dated, as we are after all now living in the 21st Century, but when this model - the 1:25 scale AMTronic futurecar - was first issued, there were still 30 years or so to go before we hit the then-fabled ‘Year 2000.’  What you get - card diorama in the background, three large parts, one small, the sets of bagged components, and manuals. Future cars The idea of show cars that depict ‘futuristic’ styles of what we might be driving a few years hence are common with full-size car companies, but the AMTronic was somewhat different in that it was a model company’s own vision. A product of, perhaps not too surprisingly, AMT, the AMTronic was intended to be a serious study for a futuristic mode of transport. Box panels (above) reveal useful information, while new details are printed on the bottom (below). Combo vehicle The AMTronic’s design was a combination of two vehicles - an intercity transporter and a two-seater city car ...