SCALE MODEL NEWS

REVELL BRINGS US THE MONOPLANE Polikarpov I-16 fighter to 1:32 scale.  SMN report: This 1:32 scale Revell kit models the fast and furious Soviet fighter aircraft, the Polikarpov I-16, popularly known as the Rata (Rat). A mid-1930s design, the I-16 was the only Soviet fighter in large numbers that flew against Operation Barbarossa, the Axis invasion that began in June, 1941. Revell has probably been wise to model this small aircraft to 1:32 scale. Even then, the fuselage is barely as long as your hand, though this does help emphasise the diminutive size of the real thing. It's a worthwhile build, with no real drawbacks or problems during assembly. However, Revell does say that the model is 'very ambitious' though we can't see any problem for a model maker with even modest experience. According to Revell, the kit includes:    Detailed cockpit Separate ailerons Radial engine Rotating propeller Detailed landing gear Decals for two versions There are 115 components, all of ...

THE DOUGLAS A-26B INVADER FROM REVELL makes a good addition to a 1:48 scale combat aircraft collection. SMN report: This 1:48 scale release represents the Douglas A-26B Invader, originally flown as a US Army Air Force light bomber and attack aircraft. It was used during World War II, and in many other conflicts for decades after. The Invader was fast, heavily armed, and could take plenty of damage during combat operations.   The Revell A-26B features detailed interior fittings, three crew figures, rotating machine-gun turrets and propellers. The fuselage incorporates a detailed bomb bay, complete with eight bombs. Decals are included for two USAAF versions: Douglas A-26B Invader, 552 BS, 386 BG, 9AF, Beaumont-sur-Oise, France, April 1945 Douglas A-26B Invader, 668 BS, 416 BG, 9AF, Melun, France, January 1945 The Revell box art ( below ) provides useful guidance for painting one of the two sets of markings in the box. However, the choice is yours where final painting is concerned, ...

HEAD FOR THE BEACH with this 1:32 scale Volkswagen Beach Buggy from the flower-power age of Aquarius. Mat Irvine:  This Revell kit of a late-1960s Volkswagen Beach Buggy was originally a Monogram release. Unusually, the kit was made to 1:32 scale, which went against the trend of US manufacturers at that time, most of whom favoured the somewhat larger 1:24/5 scale. The back of the box ( below ) has plenty of details and tips on assembly.  Today, both Revell and Airfix fly the flag with various vehicles to 1:32 scale, and there are a fair number of aircraft available, too. As for this VW Buggy kit, it’s very simple, with just 22 components. However, they go together in a very straightforward manner.    The parts are moulded in white, silver-grey, and transparent plastic, with a set of black vinyl tyres. The VW can be painted in whatever shade you choose, though the box art and plans opt for a bright apple green. The decal sheet includes vehicle registration plates for ...

SOLVING A MODELLING PROBLEM sometimes comes from a different direction. In this case, with a product called Ballast Magic. Mat Irvine:  I was looking to apply a thin layer of (real) sand onto a small base, to display a figure with accessories. These were as supplied with a kit called ‘The Wild Ones,’ an original early 1970s MPC issue of the ’29 Ford Woodie/Pickup. In a diorama build like this, such a job is usually a matter of applying a layer of paint, sprinkling on sand, tipping off the excess, allowing to dry, then spraying a matt varnish or similar to seal in the grains and keep them in place. Overall, this method works pretty well, but there are always some grains that escape. Coincidentally, HaMeX Events colleague  Paul Fitzmaurice of Modelling Tools  recently handed me a bottle of white granules, marked Ballast Magic ( below ). Ballast Magic is made by Deluxe Materials and is intended, as the name suggests, to glue ballast down on model rail tracks. Ballast Magic i...

HERE'S ANOTHER VIDEO by the hugely skilled model maker, David Damek. SMN report: Apart from posting videos like this to YouTube, David runs an interesting website called Plasmo. This is a contraction of plastic models, which makes sense. The site includes plenty of tips and tricks, many of which are obviously useful for new modellers, but there's also stuff for the more experienced. The Gallery feature ( pictures in this article ) displays David's talents well. Click here to visit the Plasmo website.

THIS 1:87 SCALE MEL’S DRIVE-IN KIT will please model makers and movie buffs alike, as it features the famed restaurant seen in the classic 1973 movie American Graffiti . Mat Irvine: Mels drive-in - or rather ‘Mels drive-ins’-  exists for real, as there are seven of them, with an eighth opening in 2018. However, the original diner seen in the movie was demolished more than 40 years ago. But no matter, for Moebius takes us back to days past, when Mels was situated at 140 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Moebius decided to add this iconic building specifically for 1:87 scale (H0 gauge) railroad layouts, and of course it is also to the same scale as countless H0 vehicles on the market. The bulk of the kit is in plastic ( above ) but the interior fittings and booths ( below ) are built up from card cutouts, a feature common with many other H0 railroad building kits. Clear acetate is supplied for the windows, and various card signs are provided to place at your discretion. The stru...