SCALE MODEL NEWS

THIS 1:72 SCALE MERCURY-REDSTONE IS THE FOURTH KIT from Horizon Models of Australia. Mat Irvine:  Horizon Models has already made a Mercury-Atlas, the launcher that put US astronauts into orbit. This time Horizon has released the earlier Mercury-Redstone, which was the first American human-rated space booster. Back of the box ( below ) depicts three of the build options in full colour. Left to right, the boilerplate launcher MR-BD, MR-3, MR-4. Opening the kit box reveals plenty of components ( below ) including the rocket’s launch pad, or launch stand in Horizon parlance. The Mercury-Redstone took off from what was basically similar to the arrangement used by the German V-2 of World War II. It’s good be able to display the rocket in ready-to-fly position. The components ( below ) include three runners. Two are used for the rocket, the other is for the Mercury spacecraft. The Mercury spacecraft is the same that Horizon supplied in the earlier Mercury-Atlas kit. Horizon enables you t...

JUST LUURVE THIS VIDEO which is a reminder of decades of custom car creativity. SMN report: As for model cars, well the VW Beetle is a classic that's available in kit or diecast form. The model (below) is a 1:24 scale custom from Maisto. Detailing is perhaps a little clunky, but the basics are there for a more elaborate model.     And the Beetle-Veyron mashup ( below ) comes courtesy RC workshop, and would look really fine, either in a radio-control circuit race or on a display shelf.

THE FIAT 500 is an icon of Italian automotive history, up there in the street-smart stakes with performance cars from the likes of Ferrari and Maserati. SMN report:  As you'll see from the Italeri promo vid ( bottom ), the 1:12 scale model has plenty of working features. Even at 1:1 scale though, headroom in this Italian baby was too low for this six-footer, but the retro-styled current model Fiat 500 fits just fine. The Italeri 1968 Fiat 500 F kit promises plenty for fans of this big 1:12 scale, with all-new moulds, and a choice of open or closed top. The doors fully open ( above ) as do the bonnets at front (for bags) and rear (engine compartment). Steerable wheels are included, as are working suspension, and rubber tyres. Neatly printed decal sheet ( below ) offers plenty of choice. The engine compartment is nicely filled ( below ) though its overall appearance will be much improved after some careful detailing and dirtying work. Note the very basic interior ( below ) which was ...

DURING A RECENT VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY, my friend Andy Yanchus and I visited a new Manhattan feature called Gulliver’s Gate. The somewhat enigmatic title covers a ‘world in miniature’ attraction, in a street just off Times Square. Mat Irvine:  Gulliver’s Gate opened in 2017, though the exterior signs are somewhat underplayed ( header ) as you could almost walk past without realising it’s there! But once inside and up the escalator to the first floor, you are greeted with what has to be the largest miniatures display anywhere. The Gate wasn’t finished when we went there, with Australasia, for example, being completely absent. But the USA, much of Europe, Russia, China, Israel, Egypt, India, and some of South America were represented. New York City ( below ) in all its miniature glory. All the displays were in fine detail, mostly to 1:87 (H0) scale, though many Chinese skyscrapers are in 1:200 scale, and the UK and Ireland use 1:76 (00) model rail scale. Tower Bridge and Buckingham P...

  FANS OF THE UGLY-BUT-NICE Citroen H van have something new to look at. It’s a full-size limited edition project from Italy, which provides food for thought for anyone interested in model conversions. SMN report:  The nouveau Type H was dreamt up by two designers, Fabrizio Caselani and David Obendorfer. Instead of the old Citroen H-type van, they have based their idea ( header, below ) on a modern Citroen panel van, a currently-produced model similar to the Ford Transit.   The ‘new H’ is actually a sophisticated plastic kit, with corrugated moulded sections that bolt directly onto the new body. Caselani and Obendorfer have come up with various styles ( below ) that include a campervan and (of course) a food truck. The new design is well timed, as it’s 70 years since the H-type went on sale in 1947. Caselani and Obendorfer reckon their work is an accolade to the original H designer, the Italian Flaminio Bertoni. We don’t think the style of this new version aces the old H-...

THE THIRD ISSUE OF THE EBBRO Citroen Type H Van has now arrived. This time, the 1:24 scale kit is fitted out in great detail as a mobile kitchen, or food van. Mat Irvine:  This Ebbro kit is similar to the previous Citroen Crepe Mobile , but it’s now been modified as the Mobile Kitchen. It’s the sort of vehicle that parks up at outdoor events or small villages - French or otherwise - where maybe there’s not a permanent venue. Instruction leaflet ( below ), together with a trio of decal sheets. The 'Boulangerie' name tags the Type H as a bakery van. Building the Ebbro 1:24 scale Citroen Type H follows much the same lines as the previous kit. The big change is with the left-hand side of the van, which now has a fold-out hatch and counter, plus plenty of catering equipment and refreshments. These form the bulk of the kit’s new parts, though precisely what you get and where they go, become a bit vague as you go through the instructions. However, the larger items are reasonably strai...