SCALE MODEL NEWS

OUT OF THIS WORLD MODELING features 16 builds of science fiction and fantasy subjects. I was invited to do two of these, and chose the 1966 Barris Batmobile from Polar Lights, and the Moebius Space Chariot from  Lost in Space .  Mat Irvine:  First, the admittance that I’ve written two of the chapters in this book, but I reckon the others are even better!  Front and back covers ( above, below ) feature assorted finished models from the book. The idea for the book came from Aaron Skinner, Senior Editor with the respected Fine Scale Modeler magazine. Aaron invited various participants (including myself) to write chapters, and edited the results along with Randy Rehberg. Step-by-step pictures ( below ) take you through building a USS Enterprise .   For other builds you get Batman-fan Joe Hudson tackling Moebius Models Catwoman; the more usual armour modeller Brett Avants with one of Nitto’s SF-3Ds - now Wave and Hasegawa - armoured figures into a small diorama, whil...

REVELL HAS BEEN USING the Foose custom name and designs for some years, but this Cadillac Eldorado is unique. Whereas previous Foose models have been reboxed existing kits with new box-art and decals, the Eldorado is a brand-new kit. Mat Irvine: The 1:25 scale model is based on a 1948 Cadillac Eldorado, and represents an early design from car customizer, Chip Foose. The box art ( header ) is based on an original Foose concept sketch. Parts layout ( below ) features a return to metal axles. The kit build follows traditional model car construction, with separate engine, chassis, and interior, plus a one-piece body. The large-block Chevy engine is painted gold with black and chrome details, and has a blue air cleaner. This blue matches the exterior colour, Testors metallic De Ja Blue one-coat extreme lacquer . The road wheels come with pre-applied red stripes around the rims, a useful extra that avoids a time-consuming job. Instruction leaflet ( below ) and the modest included decal shee...

A TREAT AWAITS MODEL FIGHTER FANS in the entrance lobby of RAF Museum, Cosford, UK. SMN report: RAF Cosford is one of two free to enter sites offering a guide the the Royal Air Force and its history.  RAF Cosford tells the story of "...the people who moulded the world of aviation from the daredevil early aviators to wartime heroes and the thousands of ordinary Service men and women who have served in the RAF and whose contribution has shaped the world that we live in today." Etched-glass aircraft outlines ( below ) decorate the large windows of the high tech museum entrance area. Centrepiece of the lobby is a hand-crafted 1:5 scale P-51D Mustang, made by David Glen MSc. The model was a labour of love for David, that took ten years to finish. Before he created the Mustang, David had made a 1:5 scale Spitfire, which he donated to the other RAF Museum site, based at Hendon, North London. Using a common display tip, the Mustang is mounted on a mirror base, which enables you to se...

LARGE SCALE MODEL MAKERS should be interested in this build of an Airfix 1:24 scale de Havilland Mosquito. SMN report: Builder Suresh Nathan comments on the kit ( header pic ): " The Airfix 1/24 Mosquito is a beast! The model engineers designed the thing the old-school way on a draftsman board - a far cry from the current technology of cad cam design. It builds like those nostalgic Airfix kits of 40 years ago. They are all plastic with the usual ‘Airfix’ styrene. It was quite pleasurable applying Humbrol polystyrene to this plastic - much like Airfix glue in those little snap off tubes of old - but I digress.  "There is a downside to all this plastic - with the electronics (which was negligible) it weighs about 3 kg. That is very difficult for any plastic undercarriage to carry, even one as hefty as the ones here and so it broke repeatedly throughout construction and I had to make a special styrofoam stand to carry it during construction and transportation."    About th...

A WIDE RANGING MUSEUM OF AMERICANA in Nebraska has plenty of scale models on display. Mat Irvine:  I made a US visit in August 2017 to see the total solar eclipse, which tracked across much of the country. We settled on viewing the eclipse in Nebraska, as there was a chance of clear skies, and it was one of the few US states I’d not visited. There was an additional reason in that the centreline of the eclipse path passed close to the small town of Minden, home to the Harold Warp Pioneer Village. The Pioneer Village is located at the main crossroad and railroad line in Minden. It's announced with two full-size mockups, of a Conestoga wagon ( below ) and a Model T Ford ( header ). Both were pioneers of early American travel. The Pioneer Village opened in 1953, and in its heyday welcomed thousands of visitors each year. There is still plenty to see, and there are three separate car displays, interesting in that the vehicles are mostly in original condition, complete with dents and scr...