SCALE MODEL NEWS

News of the 1:16 scale Hasegawa Sopwith Camel makes us wonder if ultra-large scales are on the growth list for future scale models. We'd like to see the Camel's 1:16 scale matched by a reduced-size version of Hasegawa excellent old-timers, the 1:8 scale Fokker Triplane. Together with the 1:16 scale Wright Flyer, they'd make a fine trio, and (here's a wish list) could perhaps be matched by versions with non-see-through construction. There are 1:8 scale engine kits that could also be reduced in parallel, as part of an expanding range. Figures have long been a Hasegawa strength in smaller scales, so now's the time to see a bunch of 1:16 pilots and personnel. Hasegawa is not the only player in the 1:16 game. World War II fans could spend a lot more money and have a go at the Mitsubishi Zero partwork project from the publisher DeAgostini. There are some period cars available to 1:16 scale too, very useful if you like dioramas. The 'Tin Lizzie'  Model T Ford is ...

We reported on the incoming Tamiya F4U-1 Corsair last month , and can now show pictures of an assembled kit, finished to display standards. The Tamiya team has done a thorough job with researching the kit, the designers having inspected, measured, and examined real aircraft at five different air museums. The US aerospace giant Northrop-Grumman supplied original Vought blueprints so that the team could check precise details and measurements. A useful item could be Tamiya’s weathering master set designed for World War II US Navy aircraft. This allows model makers to add dirt, rust, textures and highlights, especially useful for areas such as wheel wells and other high-wear parts of the airframe. The weathering kit is flagged by Tamiya as a ‘limited edition’ though it’s hard to see why - maybe the marketing minions think the limitedness adds an interesting aura to the product. As with other 1:32 scale aircraft in this range, the engine cowlings are removable, thus allowing the wealth of e...

SMN report: More test shot pix from Revell, with these tasters for the big new 1:32 scale Heinkel He 219 Uhu night fighter. From the look of these pictures, this new kit will be well worth a look when it’s released. Test-shot views Like all test shots, these are assembled largely to make sure component fit is good - so far as detail goes, all looks tempting, with transparent components looking crystal-clear.  Landing gear The landing gear looks excellent, with brake fluid tubes accurately included. Maybe the wheel wells look a little underwhelming at this stage, but we’ll wait for the finished kit before commenting further. Talking of landing gear, this aircraft will doubtless be a confirmed tail-sitter when assembled, so be prepared to fill every available crook and cranny with lead shot. Brief stats * Scale 1:32 * Parts count 360 * Fuselage length 486 mm (19.1 in) * Wingspan 578 mm (22.75 in) * Release date October 2012 Other Uhu kits There are other Uhu kits, including Revell’...

SMN report: Here’s a hugely interesting kit, and it’s coming our way after the summer. The Revell Sea Lynx Mk.88, optionally a HAS Mk.3, will be produced to big 1:32 scale, making it a must-build for helo fans. Detail up By the look of these test-shot pix from Revell, the 1:32 scale Sea Lynx will be packed with detail inside and out. We are assured that there will be plenty of ordnance to hang off the hardpoints, including a choice of machine guns and torpedoes. Brief stats * Scale: 1:32 * Components 130 * Fuselage length 399 mm (15.7 in) * Rotor diameter 474 mm (18.7 in) * Release date October 2012 About the Lynx The Westland Lynx is a successful multi-role helicopter that made its first flight in 1971. It’s been a good seller down the years, with assorted versions flown by the armed forces of 14 countries. Lynx versatility, reliability and performance have been boosted by a policy of continuous upgrades to fit new requirements.  Anti-piracy missions The Sea Lynx is used primaril...

SMN report Revell's 1:32 scale Heinkel He111 looks an attractive build, as these newly released pictures of an assembled and painted kit show. And answering the question posed the last time we looked at this kit, yes 1:32 scale does seem to be the new 1:48, at least in terms of offering that bit more detail and size. All we need now is some backup with figures and equipment to make large-scale dioramas a real pleasure to build. The market grows for big stuff Meantime, for World War II fans, things seem to be getting better and better, with the range of 'big stuff' growing larger every month. Having said that, why is it 1:32 scale? Why not tweak the size a bit and join the massed ranks of military models and standardise the new 'big' aircraft scale in line with all those AFVs out there, at 1:35? The Heinkel He 111 is arriving soon. Meantime, some options to think about are here , here and here .

David Jefferis looks at the aircraft and two excellent kits Today’s the day, 75 years ago, when the Spitfire took to the skies on its maiden flight. The designer, RJ Mitchell, had already built up experience with high-speed aircraft through his Schneider Trophy seaplane racers, and for the Spitfire, Mitchell sketched a design with unusual elliptical wings that could be armed with no less than eight machine guns. There was a closed cockpit, with oxygen supply for the pilot at high altitude, and a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that made it faster than any other British aircraft. Successful maiden flight Mitchell got his aircraft right first time - on landing after an eight-minute maiden flight (just 16 months after Mitchell had started work in November 1934) test pilot Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers’ reaction to the Spitfire was a simple three-word comment that was praise indeed: “Don’t touch anything”. In the scale model world, the Spitfire is among the most popular subjects. It’s available in all s...