SCALE MODEL NEWS

A welcome return to form for the famed World War II Avro Lancaster from Airfix, this version comes in two marking schemes and has plenty of welcome detail. Once upon a time, the Lancaster was the ‘first of the many’ big kits from Airfix - now it’s a ‘return of the first.’ SMN Report: The Avro Lancaster and the B-17 Flying Fortress share the laurels for best-loved big bomber of World War II, so it’s no surprise that Airfix has updated the ‘Lanc’ several times during the half century or so that the aircraft has featured in the company's range. This particular kit comes in two versions, the B1(FE) and later BIII. This latest one is light years ahead of that original kit, itself a major step forward for Airfix, not least for being presented in a box rather than a plastic bag. Airfix has provided a wealth of detail, most impressive of which is the full length bomb bay, with plenty of structural mouldings, including bomb clamps and much more. A similar story can be seen in the wheel doo...

SMN Report: We make no apologies for featuring another World War II bomber from Hong Kong Models - this one adds two more engines, and a lot more size, to represent the famed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Manufactured to 1:32 scale, it’s a biggie all right. Coming soon The HK Models Boeing B-17 is not available yet, and the pictures here show the assembled prototype, not an on-sale model. But we expect the big beast, which will be available to complete in either ‘F’ or ‘G’ version, sometime soon. When assembled, the  Hong Kong Models  B-17 will have a wingspan of some 788 mm (31 in) and a length of 988 mm (38.9 in). Legendary defences The B-17's multi-gun capacity to repel fighter attacks, while flying on to inflict heavy damage to enemy targets was legendary, making its title ‘Flying Fortress’ a well-earned label. This Flying Fort cartoon was painted in 1944, by Lt Col Ross Greening, while a prisoner of war in Germany at Stalag Luft 1. The splendid drawing was published later ...

David Jefferis reports: Tabletop modelmakers are used to relatively small sizes - for example, 1:32 or 1:24 scale are about the normal maximum for injection-moulded aircraft. But step outside into the world of flying scale models, and it seems there’s almost no upper limit. Detailed data used to create computerized 3D model. Target - a better Boeing WingSpan Models, based in Atlanta, Georgia, was established by Michael Kramer out of his desire for a better scale Boeing B-17. As a mechanical design engineer, he worked in the consumer electronics industry for almost 20 years on products such as cell phones, two-way radios, and dishwashers. He is the holder of several US design patents on products he helped to develop. 1:6 scale WSM B-17 during assembly. Computer data And now Michael’s goal is to design, manufacture and distribute: “the highest quality products from plans, kits, and accessories, backing them with unparalleled customer service.” That’s an excellent philosophy, and Michael ...

SMN report: If you like the look of the 1:48 scale Revell B-17G we featured earlier this week, then these items could be just the thing if you’re into dioramas, or simply wish to add a few items to bring some life to a static model. Follow-me Jeep Follow Me Jeeps were used at airfields to help control ground traffic, with Jeeps that were far from the front lines painted with bright colors for clear visibility. This neat and detailed 1:48 Hasegawa model comes complete with a driver, radio operator, and pilot figure. Painting instructions are supplied for the red-and-white check model used by the US Army Air Force, plus khaki versions.  Plain-Jane dashboard Interiors of military vehicles like this were generally very simple, though note that Hasegawa has included a rack of radio equipment in the back of the model, which just goes to show how things have moved on in the years since. The picture above, of a Willys Jeep fascia panel, was taken in the Imperial War Museum, London, used he...