SCALE MODEL NEWS

THIS IS A WELCOME ITALERI REISSUE OF what was previously an ESCI kit, Italeri having since acquired the tooling. Mat Irvine:  This is pure build-one-way model of the car that participated in the 1979 Monte Carlo Rally, the first round in the World Rally Championship that year. There is a slight oddity with the markings though, as the decals are for the car that came fifth in the race. A similar car actually finished in second place. The kit is neatly produced, and easy to assemble, with 103 components. Included are items such as the DOHC engine block, full drivetrain complete with disc brakes. The interior is fully fitted, and comes with with twin rally seats and a full racing roll bar. The parts layout ( below ) is complete, except for the tyres. Instruction leaflet ( below ) with component list and finishing scheme. Note that as the kit is set up as a rally car, you can’t (easily!) modify it to build a stock version. I built the kit ( below ) using an aftermarket decal set. Click...

HERE'S A FASCINATING BEHIND THE SCENES interview with the people behind the upcoming Airfix 1:24 scale F6F Hellcat. SMN report: The vid gives us an idea of just how much TLC and technical skill went into this kit. And that makes waiting for its promised release in May 2019 a matter of drumming our fingertips with anticipation. And here's the real thing ( below ) being cranked up, for only the second time since being restored. And there's a bonus on the vid, a Japanese Zero, also being started. Enjoy!

AIRFIX IS ON A ROLL and this giant-size kit underlines the excellence of new products from this company. SMN report: In the words of Airfix: "...We are proud to announce that our 2019 new tooling announcement for Scale Modelworld 2018 is the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat. "As for the scale, an aircraft of this historical importance would look great in any scale, particularly when produced using the very latest design and production techniques and incorporating impressive levels of detail, however, there is no disputing that a slightly larger scale is more effective at portraying the size and majesty of these magnificent machines. Our regularly expanding 1:48th scale kit range is now a firm favourite with modellers and the Hellcat would look great next to one of our recent Mustang or Sea Fury releases, but for maximum impact in the modelling world you have to go BIGGER and our new Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (A19004) will be produced in our largest 1/24th scale – a big announcement for th...

UNLIKE SOME RECENT AMT reissues that use more recent tooling, this 1:25 scale Lincoln Continental is based on the original annual kit, first released in 1965. Mat Irvine:  The AMT Lincoln Continental has limited detail so far as the chassis and running gear are concerned (it has a classic one-piece chassis pan) but the model is otherwise excellent, and even though the original tooling is now over 50 years old, it has stood up extremely well. The interior is also ‘old school’ and has a one-piece tub, though with separate dash and front seats. The kit comes as a ‘3 in 1’ model, with parts in the box enabling you to build one of three options, custom, fantasy wagon, or convertible. The AMT box label describes the model as Retro Deluxe, and included are ‘new woodie decals, tinted window option, pad-printed tires,’ all presented in ‘vintage-style packaging.’ In the real world, Ford had earlier surprised rivals with the Continental. In 1960, the Lincoln looked similar to its two main riv...