SCALE MODEL NEWS

World War II model makers, in particular aircraft fans, will be pleased to see the latest from Hasegawa. The 1:72 scale model kit of the Luftwaffe’s Junkers Ju 88 G-6 is the radar-equipped night fighter (‘nachtjager’) version, complete with nose and tail sprouting spiky radar antenna trees. The kit also comes with a pair of the upward-firing cannon that were often fitted to the G-6, as well as three sets of decal markings. The Ju 88 was probably the single most successful German twin engine plane of World War II, with more than 15,000 of all types built throughout the war. Hasegawa’s kit is a neat one, with a wingspan of some 280 mm (10.5 in) and has 150 parts, enough to keep a model maker busy during the cold, snowy nights we’re having in the UK at the moment. The video is worth watching, as it shows all sorts of German night fighters of the era, including detail shots and commentary on Ju 88 G-6 version. Talking of German aircraft, here’s another mention for the Luftwaffe Museum in G...

SMN reports It seems to be something of a Revell week here at SMN, but it's all good news, with this neat 1:72 scale kit a real boon for fans of anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The Fairey Gannet was a British design that first flew in September 1948, and went on to have a long service history with the air arms of the UK, Australia, Germany and Indonesia. At first glance the Gannet seems to be a single-engine design, driving contra-rotating props - in fact, it was powered by the Double Mamba turbine, essentially a pair of side-by-side engines driving the props through a common gearbox. The advantage was that on long patrols, half the Double Mamba could be shut down to save fuel and extend range. The Revell kit is of the AS4 version, with seats for three, and a radome under the rear belly. It’s a new-tool offering, with many of the refinements that we expect of such kits, such as finely-drawn recessed panel detail, decent cockpit equipment including instrument panels and side units, ...