SCALE MODEL NEWS

THIS KIT IS A WELCOME REISSUE of a 1:24 scale ESCI kit by Italeri, which has acquired most of the old ESCI company’s tooling. This particular kit models the classic Ford Transit van in its original rear-wheel drive form. Mat Irvine:  The body components are moulded in white, while the rest of the parts are in black, with clear for the window glass. Both front doors can be opened, as can the rear loading door. You can build a right- or left-hand drive version. The original kit was issued by ESCI in various guises, with decals to suit. This time, the markings ( below ) represent a UK gas-utility vehicle. According to the new decal sheet, it’s a Transit that belonged to British Gas Southern. Apparently, the scheme is based on a custom design by a British modeller. The completed model ( below ) seen here with the supplied British Gas Southern decals. But of course British Gas Southern is only a start, as millions of Mk 2 Transits were made. So there is a virtually endless supply of pos...

THE UBER TRANSPORTATION COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED plans for an airborne taxi fleet. And that made us think of the flying car used by the Jetsons, a futuristic family that featured in their own cartoon series. SMN report: The Jetsons TV series first aired in 1962, and starred a family that lived in a toon universe that was clean, fresh, and full of amazing gadgets. And those gadgets included the family car, a flying saucer with a transparent dome on top. A 1:64 scale diecast version is made by Hot Wheels . Hardly surprisingly, it runs on a set of wheels, but is otherwise a reasonable representation, considering the small scale involved. The 1:24 scale  Polar Lights model is pricy, but does include all family members, including Astro the dog. It's the one featured in these pix, provided courtesy Mat Irvine. It's a snap-kit, though as always components benefit from cement in looser spots. The stand has an appealing lunar-style base, though it could do with being more substantial, as...

MANUFACTURED IN CHINA, THE ELEKTRA ROBOT is an unusual collectible mechanical that seems to be a *sorta* female. SMN report: Despite being a robot, we reckon Elektra's a she, because of the metal frock and excellent hair-do. And of course, those hard-to-miss mammaries adorning her torso. Depending on the production run intended for Elektra and her companion, a robot called Roxy, her sex alone could make her a sought-after collectible in years to come. Elektra's Shanghai-based manufacturer, Marxu, has been making various St John products since 1995. The St John line spearheads a tinplate collection of nearly two dozen robots, assorted cars, a pair of biplanes, and much more - there's even a bizarre Space Whale Ship. Wind-up movements include a walking action plus a pair of flailing arms, one of which hacks and slashes with a lightning-shaped kitchen knife ( below ). So it doesn't pay to be on the wrong side of this female-style robot. The story of tinplate toys Tinplate...

THE F-35 LIGHTNING II IS FAR AND AWAY the most expensive military weapon system ever conceived. And here is a 1:32 scale kit of the F-35A version, aimed at model makers who enjoy building state of the art jets. SMN report: These images arrive courtesy Italeri's UK distributors, though no release date is given. We reckon it should be entering the stores in time for Spring 2017. Italeri has included details on the F-35, a weapon programme that has seen more than its share of expensive delays and modifications. Previous kits have concentrated on development machines, the Italeri version being an F-35A that is near squadron level. There are plenty of components in the F-35 box, comprising 270 plastic parts with a further 20 photo-etch details. We'll be waiting for the F-35B STOVL version, as planned for the US Marine Corps and British Royal Navy. Dorsal refuelling doors ( below, upper ) have been included, as have flatted tyres. Wheel well detailing looks accurate, as does the gen...

IT’S NOT OFTEN YOU CAN ANNOUNCE a kit that was created in the 1970s, but that has not been issued until now.  Mat Irvine:  Well, that is the case with the Monster Scenes Animal Pit, a kit that for various reasons, has not been released before. Now, thanks to kit-maker Dencomm, the Animal Pit is available to purchase. A new-tool clear component has been added, but otherwise the kit is just as Aurora intended. The Dencomm box ( header pic ) is a simple cube, unusual in the kit industry. All Aurora Monster Scenes were snap-together kits, and this diorama is no exception. However, some parts benefit from using cement to keep them firmly together. And as the Dencomm components ( below ) are moulded in pink plastic, it also benefits from being painted.    Farewell to that unlikely shade of pink ( below ). I have applied initial coats of paint to the subassemblies. There are working features, with two grilles that can be raised by the top winch, for which simulated rope ( b...