SCALE MODEL NEWS

LEGO HAS LINKED UP with Marvel Comics to create a brick-version of the huge SHIELD Helicarrier from The Avengers movies. SMN report: According to Lego, "Take on the challenge of building this awesome Lego model of The SHIELD Helicarrier. Construct the flying aircraft carrier with 2 runways, microscale Quinjets, fighter jets and ground support vehicles. "The set also comes with many of your favorite Lego Marvel Super Heroes minifigures, plus 12 microfigures to display on deck and within the highly detailed interior. Includes five minifigures: Nick Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye and Maria Hill." The model will keep all and sundry quiet for more than a few minutes, as there are no less than 2996 separate pieces. Suitable for anyone over 16, says Lego. The Lego version of the Marvel SHIELD Helicarrier is not cheap, so you need to be a fan rather than a casual purchaser. That said, it looks pretty good to us, and a suitable way to spend a winter weekend ou...

Good news for sci-fi and movie buffs, the huge Helicarrier from the 2012 Disney movie The Avengers is the latest release from the fiction and what-if specialist, Fantastic Plastic. SMN Report: The fictional Helicarrier is a massive airborne warship. Toting squadrons of Harrier-style jump jets and specialist Quinjets, the Helicarrier is supported by anti-gravity generators, and stabilized in the air by a quartet of huge ducted fans, positioned outboard of the main decks. The kit looks well up to Fantastic Plastic standards, with clean resin mouldings and 145 components. It’s worth pointing out that FP says the Helicarrier is, ‘A Resin Hobby Kit for Medium to Advanced Modelers’ and we’d second that, though it wouldn’t put us off making one, especially as there’s a nice-looking (if fiddly) brass-etch fret included. We’re not so sure about the 1:1400 scale though, which is perhaps a little small for our taste. The assembled kit measures nearly 355 mm (14 in), so it’s no baby, but a 1:700...