SCALE MODEL NEWS

California-based Fantastic Plastic has just released a new 1:72 scale kit of the Whispercraft, a fictional helicopter that featured in the 2000 sci-fi movie, The 6th Day . In The 6th Day , Arnold Schwarzenegger (famed for the Terminator movies) plays the owner of a small aircraft rental company specializing in vertical takeoff Whispercraft, advanced helicopter-like vehicles whose blades can be fixed in flight to function as conventional wings. Ron Cobb’s work The Whispercraft was designed by the hugely talented Hollywood conceptual artist Ron Cobb, some aspects of which he based on actual aerospace projects then being developed by the US military. Upgrade kit This Fantastic Plastic kit is a re-release of the 2007 kit, with upgrades that include Ron Cobb's blueprints, along with extras such as a detailed interior, clear vac-form canopy and - we’re pleased to see this - weapons for a military gunship version. Movie plot In case you’d forgotten (or didn’t know) The 6th Day plot here’...

MAT IRVINE REPORTS The Hong-Kong based company Dragon should be congratulated for introducing so many brand new factual ‘real-space’ items. However my enthusiasm is slightly tempered by the fact that while Dragon issues spacecraft in both ready-built and kit form, sometimes it’s not clear as to which is which. Some are made only as ready-builts, some just as kits, others appear in both forms. Then some of the subjects - kits especially - have odd errors, and assembly instructions may rather lack clarity. Mighty Saturn Where ready-builts are concerned, the latter point may not matter much, and at London Toy Fair 2013, the UK-based distribution company Amerang had many of these on display. Dominating the display stand - literally - is the largest commercially-available ready-built model of the Saturn V rocket (above, below). The Dragon model of the launcher that sent men to the Moon is a 1:72 scale giant, standing more than 1.5m (5 ft) tall. Bigger and bigger At this point, I should add ...

MAT IRVINE REPORTS When Hornby acquired Airfix, it got Humbrol as well, providing an ideal addition to Hornby’s modelling portfolio, for Humbrol is one of the world’s major model paint and accessory manufacturers. Actually, some aspects of the Humbrol range were missing at the time of the takeover, but the gaps are now being filled, and one of these is a must for any modeller interested in more than just putting a kit together. Wash and weather These are weathering powders and enamel washes, long-time staples for diorama builders, the Humbrol selection coming in various shades, suitable for all scenarios. There are currently eight powders in the range, augmented with 10 washes. Showpiece quality The weathered and washed models on display at Humbrol’s LondonToy Fair 2013 stand showed how such products can be used to elevate a simple assembly kit to being a superior showpiece. The added realism - when carefully applied - that weathering can provide has to be seen to be believed. Quality ...

LONDON TOY FAIR REPORT: MAT IRVINE Amerang is one of the main UK importers for a wide range of companies that make ‘Comic Book Collectibles’, figures of famous fantasy faces, ranging from Batman to Iron Man and many more. First of these is Sideshow, a US-based company that specialises in producing exacting ready-built scale models of the most iconic science-fiction heroes and villains. A full-size Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, greeted visitors to the Amerang stand. Scale clothing Kotobukiya’s Batman vs. Joker (above right) with (left) Sideshow ‘caricature characters.’ The legs of the Enterbay Joker are visible behind. Kotobukiya is a Japanese company, while Enterbay is a relatively recently established Hong Kong outfit that began operations in 2005, and also produces figures, with many of these having ‘real fabric’ scale clothing. Two action-pose Luke Skywalkers from Sideshow. Note the robotic opponents at left. Sideshow Scarlet Witch from the Avengers, and (below) the Incredible ...

LONDON TOY FAIR REPORT: MAT IRVINE There were not that many specialist ready-built manufacturers at the 2013 London Toy Fair, but one of the best-known is Oxford Diecast, a 10-year old company that makes a wide range of vehicles. Scales of Oxford Diecast models include 1:148 (N scale) 1:43, 1:76 (00 scale), 1:72, and plenty of ‘non-scale’ items. 1:148 and 1:76 vehicles are aimed at British rail modellers, but frankly the 00-gauge items are close enough to 1:72 for anyone wanting to populate airfield dioramas. Past prospect Oxford Diecast makes the odd modern vehicle, such as the BMW Mini and Land Rover Discovery, but most of the civil makes concentrate on those from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These include such types as classic Minis and Land Rovers, Morris Minors and Marinas, MGA and MGB, even a car I still own, the Reliant Scimitar GTE. Apart from the Brits, there is a smattering of popular European makes, including the Citroen 2CV and VW Beetle. There is huge variety in the commerc...

REPORT: MAT IRVINE Revell continues as arguably the world’s largest model-kit company, including the US Revell-Monogram branch. For 2013, there are brand-new kits, backed up by a horde of reissues in various forms. The fascinating Revell stand at the London Toy Fair, 2013. A reissue of the Jaguar E-Type. The kit is in 1:25 scale, as it started life as one of the earliest Revell GB kits. The 1:24 scale kit of the classic Mini is a new Revell production, not a reissued Tamiya kit. The 1:24 scale Volkswagen Microbus issued a couple of years ago has been modified to make this delivery van. This will be a first from Revell, as the original Microbus kit from Revell Inc. was never issued in van form. Revell-Germany has issued one, but it was a reboxed Hasegawa kit. New 1:24 scale Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24 Coupe. More 1:24 scale Formula One, this time the Renault Red Bull Racing team cars, in both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel versions. A reissue of the Moebius Models International Prostar Tr...