SCALE MODEL NEWS

ONCE UPON A TIME my school-age model-maker gang used to meet up each Saturday morning, then go pack-hunting for the latest model kit. David Jefferis: When we’d parted with our pocket money, off to our homes we’d go, aiming to vote for the best-made model a few days later. Once homework and household chores were done, out came the cement, craft knife, and other tools needed to assemble that object of desire as neatly as possible. Once it was assembled and painted, I’d proudly place my latest finished model on the display shelf. And that’s when the trouble started, because within a week, that shelf needed dusting. And dust had not only collected on the shelf, but also on delicate model parts, such as antennas, pitot tubes, canopies, guns, and aerials. I won’t go into the torment of seeing the damage resulting from my mother’s Speedy Gonzales dusting sessions. The problem was addressed eventually by the installation of a large multi-shelf corner cupboard. My models were effectively invis...

THIS 1:25 SCALE CHEVROLET IMPALA is one of the Revell California Wheels collection. It can also be used to make the custom Impala that starred in the 1973 movie American Graffiti , directed by George Lucas, also famed for his  Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas. Mat Irvine:  On the face of it, what has a Revell 1958 Chevrolet Impala got to do with the classic  American Graffiti movie? Yes, there is a ’58 Impala in the film, but it has a specific red pinstripe finish over white, the Revell kit box depicting the model in blue. But look at the alternative white finish on one of the box ends, and the supplied decal set. There, the car is finished in white with red pinstriping, closely matching the car in  American Graffiti.  Forget the other cars on screen – John Milner’s Ford Deuce Hot Rod, Bob Falfa’s ’55 Chevy, even the mysterious blonde’s white T-Bird – it’s Steve Bolander’s ’58 Impala that you see most, even if it was driven mostly by Terry ‘The Toad’ Field. ...

THIS 1:8 SCALE BATMAN KIT FEATURES the iconic 1960s TV series original creation, as played by Adam West. Mat Irvine:  Even with reboot movies that feature – currently – five actors reprising the role, many viewers reckon that Adam West (1928-2017) will always be  the  Batman. And this kit is one of a Moebius Models series featuring other Batman figures. Here’s what Moebius has to say of the kit: “…For the first time ever, Moebius Models offers a highly detailed styrene kit of the Caped Crusader based on Batman: The Classic TV Series!  “Accurate likeness of Adam West as Batman! Sculpted by fan-favorite master sculptor Jeff Yagher, Approximately 1:8 scale; completed kit is nearly 10 inches high, Includes batcave rock display base and nameplate, Skill level 3, ages 15 and up. “…FIRST IN A SERIES OF SEVEN KITS; FIT THE BASES TOGETHER TO CREATE A COMPLETE ENSEMBLE SCENE!” It’s not a new kit, dating from 2014, but it’s still worth a good look. Made to 1:8 scale, arguably t...