SCALE MODEL NEWS

A lesson for us all here in how to make a BIG model. Rod Stevenson's V-2 rocket is 1:5 scale, and as you can see from the video, it can fly high too. The flight recorded here gained Rod a UK Rocketry Association (UKRA) Level 3 Certificate, so congratulations are in order. For most of us, a smaller rocket is probably more realistic, and for that one of the many Estes kits are ideal. I used to fly them, and can confirm that the kits are fairly easy to build, and great fun to fly. When she was much younger, my elder daughter gained her rocket star for being in charge of countdown procedures, graduating to commander in charge of the actual launches. Pressing the red FIRE button was her reward for helping Dad out with his hobby. Click here to visit the UKRA. Click here for a wide range of flying model rockets.

Model maker Ed Ross mixed live steam and Victoriana, to produce a working steampunk aerial battleship. The result is a superb piece of craftsmanship.  The video is a comprehensive look at a work of pure imagination. In Ed's words, "...Battleship train ship model with cannons and lasers that fire. It has many handmade moving parts that are driven by a live steam engine. "  The engine looks like an old Mamod machine, the type that were especially popular in the early 1960s. Ed adds, "The video is a depiction of the first trial run, with some animation and effects thrown in. It was made from over 50 found parts and took over 2500 hours to construct." "Except for the steam engine, which was modified, it is totally hand built using ordinary home tools.  It is almost four feet tall and 51 inches long. Hope you enjoy."

You’ve only got this week to get along to the Royal Air Force Museum in London, to see a fascinating exhibition. It closes at the end of May, so for a close look at Airfix kit history, it’s the place to be. Mat Irvine reports: The show consists of two displays, one of original box-art, primarily by noted artist Roy Cross, then two large cabinets that hold examples of models, boxes, paints, and other artifacts. The show is not just about model aircraft, instead covering the whole range of Airfix subjects. Possibly the most interesting part is that the models shown are not professionally built as you might expect - actually, they are constructed by amateur model makers. Models in the show include aircraft, figures, rail rolling stock, ships, cars old and new, and some educational models, such as the Beam Engine. An injection-moulding unit (below) is also on display, perhaps the only one that would fit inside a cabinet, itself strong enough to take the weight of the solid-steel mould, pr...

The UK Automodellismo model car show put on a fourth outing last weekend, with hundreds of beautifully constructed miniatures on display, making the show more than worth the effort for visitors and exhibitors alike. Here’s the roundup of Automodellismo 4, 2014: Some of the models (below) bought along by the Britmodeller group. Nick Allen created the Beyond the Box SIG (Special Interests Group), best known for its amazing modifications to the Airfix Wallace and Gromit kits. He also likes trucks and buses, and is seen here converting the Revell RM London bus into one that is being dismantled for recycling. As he says, “You can’t save them all.” And Wallace and Gromit are having another ‘Grand Day Out,’ though here Gromit has become detached from Wallace. Members of the Car and Motorcycle SIG. New to Automodellismo is Tony and his Custom FX resin cast models. This one will be interesting when it is finished as the infamous coach from The (original) Italian Job. “Hang on lads, I have an id...

Much of the scale model passion divides pretty neatly into two worlds - the craft-driven hobby of scale modelling, and the collector-driven desire for a ready-built collection. The two camps are both quite well served today, and there is certainly some crossover between the two. There are pros and cons for the two sides. Building a scale model from a kit is likely to be deeply satisfying and indeed much more personal – after all, every iteration of an F-4 Phantom (II for example) is effectively a one-off, depending on skill level, amount of added super-detailing and the particular colour scheme chosen. On the other hand, ready-built models give the satisfaction of ownership and the chance to buy into a limited-edition run, without needing a high skill level or have the time required to produce a top-class replica. Expense is also an issue. An Airfix Avro Lancaster typically costs less than a quarter of its Corgi diecast equivalent. However, if you factor in the time and effort take...

Here's a chance to preview an interesting model book for the weekend - and maybe even buy a copy.  According to the publisher, Conway, “The Airfix Book of Scale Modelling is the essential guide to making great looking model kits and getting the most out of this fascinating and rewarding hobby, explaining how to build scale models to suit all levels of modelling skill.  “With full colour photography throughout, the book covers the history of modelling and of the Airfix company, and shows how injection moulded kits are made, before going on to describe and review the major modelling scales, as well as outlining the range of paints, tools and accessories that are available.  “Chapters include guides to choosing a kit, tools for the job, painting, decals, conversions, figure-painting, dioramas and more. Common problems and how to solve them are addressed, and the book also features a series of step-by-step construction projects, including expert builds of the F-86 Sabre jet, ...