SCALE MODEL NEWS

Sony PlayStation drivers will love this diecast future-machine, one of the star cars in the record-breaking Gran Turismo 5 video game. This one is now leaving the screen, to arrive as a real-life 1:18 scale diecast model from Hong Kong-based Autoart. Autoart are producing a whole series of vehicles in various markings, of which the one in current World Champion Sebastian Vettel (below) markings is probably most interesting. In Red Bull markings, the X2010 really ought to be the one he drives in Formula 1, as it looks just great. Still, if we can’t have that, here’s the next best thing. Cockpit details Fit and finish look absolutely excellent in these Autart pix, with top marks going to the simulated carbon-fibre and cockpit detailing. The HUD (head-up display) looks pretty cool too. More to come The Red Bull edition in Sebastian Vettel markings is due April, with others in the series to follow, finished in white, red, and orange, plus one in a prototype scheme. X2010 in white is on the...

Raymond Cusick, the production designer behind Doctor Who’s Dalek enemies, has died aged 84. He worked on the BBC TV science-fiction series from 1963 to 1966. Screenwriter Terry Nation (1930-97) wrote the episode of Doctor Who in which the Daleks made their entrance, but it was Ray Cusick who arrived at the final look, complete with eyestalk, sucker arm, and exterminator armament. Lunchtime inspiration In a 2008 episode of the Doctor Who Confidential TV show, Ray Cusick explained that inspiration for the Dalek design came during a lunch with special effects expert Bill Roberts, who was responsible for making the mecha-monsters. Apparently, Ray picked up a pepper pot and moved it around the table before saying, “It's going to move like that - no visible means.” Chief enemy Daleks have remained essentially unchanged in appearance over the half-century since they first appeared, and are still the best-known of the Doctor's enemies, and have had a new lease of life since the show...

Bus modellers should be pleased to see this latest addition to the French Heller line. It’s a classic 1930s-era single-decker, a Renault design that gave reliable service for decades. The Renault TN series buses came into service in the early 1930s, and the TN6 C2 modelled by Heller was probably the most popular version. The improvement of rubber technology was key to vehicles like this, with new-design pneumatic tyres allowing heavy loads and a comfortable ride, making it possible for a 50-seater bus to travel at fairly high speeds. Display option Heller's mould-makers have captured the ugly-but-nice appearance of the TN6 very well, especially the snout-like engine housing. There is plenty of crisp detail in the engine itself, and in the chassis underneath too, so a mirror display base could make sense when the kit is assembled and painted. Originally released as far back as 1982, the new-issue kit remains competitive in 2013. Fast routes Despite its somewhat porcine looks, a petr...

SMN REPORT 1:350 scale seapower fans can model the most powerful ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II, the famed Yamato, and her less-well known sister ship, the Musashi. Yamato The Yamato (top pic) launched in 1937, was the pride of Japan’s naval forces. The Yamato-class ships were the heaviest battleships ever built, designed to outgun several enemy capital ships in simultaneous combat. However, like other traditional battleships, they really belonged to a time before aircraft carriers and their deadly attack plane squadrons became their main adversaries. In fact, the third Yamato-class ship, Shinano, was actually finished as an aircraft carrier. Yamato herself was sunk by multiple bomb and torpedo strikes from US aircraft on April 7, 1945. New-tool components For model makers, the Yamato makes a welcome appearance in the Tamiya 1:350 scale battle fleet, for the model features many new-tool parts, including the main mast and stern section. Walkways on the decks have ne...

MAT IRVINE REPORTS Here’s another space-history kit from Hong Kong’s Dragon, utilising the company’s interest in all things astronautical, especially the Moon landing missions of Project Apollo. To the Moon The kit represents what is often termed ‘the fourth stage’ of the Saturn V launcher - the crewed Command and Service modules (CSM) with Launch Escape System (LES) on top. Below the CSM is the Lunar Module (LM), encased in the conical Spacecraft Lunar Module Adaptor (SLA). New components The kit is based on the existing Dragon 1:72 scale CSM and LM, with a runner for the new parts. Also supplied is a new component for the Command Module’s Boost Protective Cover (BPC). This was the outer shell used at launch, and to which the escape tower was fitted. Parts are supplied in grey and clear, though note the SLA’s lower ring (right) is moulded in black, as is the circular stand, borrowed from Dragon’s Kirin range. See inside The upper section of the SLA is neatly moulded in clear styre...

MAT IRVINE Take one 1959 Miller-Meteor bodied Cadillac Ambulance, add an overloaded roof-rack, flashing lights and signs, and what ya gonna call it? The famed Ectomobile from the movie Ghostbusters II, that’s what. And now it's back again. This four-wheeled star of the 1989 movie Ghostbusters II (preceded by Ghostbusters in 1984) was an obvious subject for one of the major ‘star car’ kit producers, AMT, and the company duly produced one in 1990. Rivals join forces The lack of an original Ecto-1 kit was rectified in 2002 when Polar Lights made a snap-together model of it above). At that time AMT and Polar Lights were rivals, AMT still under the Ertl banner, while Polar Lights was a part of Playing Mantis. Since then, things have changed and both names have come together as Round-2 brands. Which Ecto is which? So the question is, despite the name on the new box, are we looking at a kit of Ecto-1 or 1a, as decals for both versions are included. Well, the answer's simple: it's ...

MAT IRVINE REPORTS It’s been a while - like 22 years - but Tamiya has now taken a 1:24 scale kit of a sports racing car it issued in 1991, reissuing it as a different car from the same race. The event was the Le Mans 24-hour race in France, and the winning car was Mazda 787B number 55. This new kit, however, is the car that took sixth place - the company-sponsored number 18. The 787B is an interesting vehicle, as it was powered by Mazda’s rotary engine, and was the first Le Mans success for a Japanese manufacturer.   Antennas The 94-plus parts of this Tamiya Mazda 787B are moulded in white, black, and clear, with the usual set of soft vinyl tyres, and a selection of nylon bushes to attach the wheels. You also get a length of stainless-steel rod to represent the two roof antennas. When assembled, the model measures 180mm (7in) long. Curbside kit? Fortunately, Tamiya has chosen to make this model a fully detailed kit, not a curbside (the usual term for a kit without any engine detail...