SCALE MODEL NEWS

SPACE, SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MODELS are the name of the game at smallspace 5 , a one-day show held this coming Sunday, July 3, 2016. SMN report: Co-organiser Mat Irvine reckons this year’s smallspace 5 will be the biggest yet, and who are we to argue with that?! Apart from scale models, figures and dioramas based around your favourite TV shows and movies, there will be full-size industry props and stars to meet. Guests include Brian Johnson, the Oscar-winning special effects supervisor, and designer of the classic Eagle transporter from the Gerry Anderson series Space 1999. Everyone’s favourite underwater craft ( below ), the shapely Stingray super-sub, from the early Gerry Anderson series. Brightly coloured exo-atmosphere craft ( below ) sprouts mini-wings and fins for a controlled return from orbit. Battle damage scars the command module ( below ) of a rebel Y-Wing from Star Wars. Nicely weathered full-size Dalek ( below ) guards the show entrance. A suspicious Imperial Storm...

AIRFIX KITSTARTER IS AN EXPERIMENTAL concept in retro-modelling. It’s your chance to decide which selected vintage Airfix kits are put back into production for a limited edition run. SMN report:  The Airfix model kit archive includes a staggeringly wide variety of subjects, ranging from historical figures and birds to ships and aircraft - and even a few dinosaurs. Airfix sources say that more kits will be added each month to grow the KitStarter project, a method of judging popularity so that early kits can be reintroduced to enthusiasts. There is an online forum so modellers can discuss ideas for further suggestions. One of the popular KitStarters at the moment is the 1:72 scale de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, a classic little kit if ever there was one. In fact, I didn’t recall that the original came with a floatplane option, which makes it much more interesting to me, as I flew in one many years ago over the lakes, trees and mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Kitstarter makes an in...

UK MODEL MAKER HORNBY is set to raise money to secure its future. The train set manufacturer, also the name behind brands such as Airfix, Corgi and Scalextric, revealed big losses this week. SMN report: However, there is a turnaround plan, which involves reducing Hornby’s size, streamlining operations, and focussing on brands that are making money. Whether a planned new visitor centre in Ramsgate, Kent, will go ahead is unclear at this point. The Hornby name goes back to 1901. Its model trains ( pictures below ) have been manufactured since 1920. Early locomotives were powered by winding up a clockwork motor, but were soon followed by electric versions. Hornby revenues have fallen some 4 percent in the last year, meaning that the company is currently trading at a loss. Executive chairman Roger Canham will put a rescue plan to shareholders next month, though he says, “…if they are not approved there are serious concerns over the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.” But ...

THE FORD ESCORT 1972 RALLY-WINNER CAR SHOULD HAVE been released in kit form years ago. But it’s better late than never, so here is one of Ford’s most popular mid-sized cars from the late 20th century, released to 1:24 scale by Belkits of Belgium. Mat Irvine: The Ford Escort saloon has been available in smaller scales, as kits, diecasts and slot cars, but this is the first kit to the bigger 1:24 scale. This Ford Escort comes from the Belgian company, Belkits. And from the look of the extra parts that are included in the box, but not used here, we should be seeing other Escort kits in future that do use them.  Actually, there are already two Belkits Ford Escorts. The kit in this review features the car that won the 1972 Daily Mirror RAC Rally, as driven by Roger Clark and Tony Mason. The second kit models the winner of the following year's race. Box side panel ( below ) shows a different view of the 1972 car. The Belkits construction style is conventional, with a one-piece body, mul...

FANTASTIC PLASTIC MAKES A WIDE range of specialist kits, covering space, sci-fi and fantasy models. A recent survey provided an eye-opener into model makers’ preferences. SMN report: According to Allen B. Ury of Fantastic Plastic, “…In early January 2016, we conducted an on-line survey to discern our customers' interest level in a number of subjects we were considering producing as model kits. The purpose of this exercise was not so much to identify which subject was the most popular (Although this was a secondary consideration), but to ensure that, should we go ahead with any or all of these products, we weren't likely to lose our shirts through lack of interest." “The subjects under consideration represented the usual range of subject matter that constitutes ‘fantastic’ vehicle modeling: Sci-Fi, Real Space and Concept Aircraft.” This is an interesting - and logical - way to go about deciding on your new kits, so the survey earns a thumbs-up from SMN. The Fantastic Plast...

SCIENCE FICTION AND SPACE MODEL makers have the SMALLSPACE 5 show to look forward to. The fifth show is landing on Sunday, July 3, 2016 and will be bigger and better than ever, making it a must-visit for sci-fi fans. SMN report:   Smallspace 5 is coming on Sunday, July 3, 2016, and promises to be even more action-packed than last year’s absolute blast. In 2015, the rediscovered Whomobile from Doctor Who certainly put smallspace 4 on the newsmap, when the story splashed in the prestigious London Times newspaper ( below ). YouTube movies ( above, below ) give you a feel for the many small wonders appearing at the annual smallspace show. The bottle-green Starbug ( below ) featured in the much loved sci-fi comedy series, Red Dwarf. Thunderbirds is the seminal Gerry Anderson TV series. The yellow Thunderbird 4 ( below left ) and pink Rolls-Royce featured in many episodes. More Gerry Anderson-inspired models ( below ). They are made with great care and attention to detail, work ...