SCALE MODEL NEWS

THIS LAYOUT COMBINES traditional model rail construction with a dash of science fiction. The Edwardian sci-fi story  War of the Worlds by HG Wells makes for an interesting, and very different, diorama setting. SMN report: Invasion from an alien world is an old science-fiction theme, and one that's tackled successfully in this suitably British model rail display. It's a good subject for all model makers, and kit manufacturers have supplied various scale models to satisfy demand. Pegasus Hobbies have an interesting take on the 1953 George Pal movie, an award-winner in its day, and a classic that should be seen by all sci-fi fans. Click to read all about the Pegasus kit. The latest War of the Worlds reinvention is from the BBC ( below ). The three-part series is currently on-air and streamed on iPlayer. It's worth watching, not least because it is set in England, as was HG Wells's original tale. The effects are also worthwhile, even if the pace becomes somewhat ponderou...

IS THIS NICELY-BUILT model more than the sum of its parts? Look and learn to see how careful work can result in something that really looks the biz.

THIS EXCELLENT LITTLE RETRO MODEL will make a useful accessory for dioramas based on US 0-gauge railroads, and aircraft kits to 1:48 scale. Mat Irvine reports:  During a recent trip to the US east coast, I had an opportunity to drop by Atlantis Models, located on Long Island, New York. Atlantis are now best known for taking over the vast amount of unwanted tools from when Revell itself was taken over a year ago, the new owner deciding that it just didn’t want all the old moulds. Fortunately, Pete Vetri and Rick Delfavero – who head Atlantis – stepped in, and acquired the lot. And they have been busy with several reissues a month of models that originated not only from Revell, but also Monogram and Aurora, with some Renwal kits as well. One of the Revell old moulds is the White-Fruehauf Gas Truck in 1:48 scale, which forms one of a quartet of similarly-scaled kits. 1:48 scale was not a scale often used by Revell, especially for vehicles, but 1:48 is 0-gauge in the US, and is also a ...

ENJOY THIS VIDEO giving details of the upcoming 1:72 scale Airfix Avro Vulcan B.2. This is looks to be a very exciting kit for anyone with an interest in military aviation of the Cold War era. SMN report: Airfix chose the recent IPMS Show at Telford, UK, to reveal this new project. Last year, the star of the show was the Airfix 1:24 scale Hellcat. Next year? Who knows what will be revealed, but we're looking forward to it! And here's a build-up video ( below ) from Tom Grigat showing the Blue Steel missile-carrying Handley-Page Victor.  Love the interior detail, especially the instrument panels, though our request to Airfix would be to include a transparent fuselage half. Then we could see and appreciate that intricate detail after final assembly!

THE BUSY HOBBY BOUNTIES store in Singapore recently had a model competition to coincide with the launch of the new Midway movie. Hobby Bounties proprietor Peter Chiang's mother gave the prizes. Third Prize was awarded to Ben Koh ( below right ) for his Airfix 1:72 scale Zero, in green finish. Second prize was awarded to Kevin Luo  ( below )  for his Battle of Midway diorama.  First prize went to YEE Soon Tuck  ( below )  for his Airfix 1:72 scale Mitsubishi Zero, set on a neatly produced rising sun logo base. The Midway movie ( trailer below ) looks pretty good, especially for the cgi action scenes. The World War II Pacific battle was fought from June 3-6, 1942.