SCALE MODEL NEWS

  THIS NEW MUSEUM is a must-visit centre for film and sci-fi fans. David Jefferis: SMN contributor Mat Irvine and I went recently to the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum ( NFASFM)  in Milton Keynes, UK. The Museum is well worth the trip, as its exhibits reveal a panoramic vista of science fiction and fantasy movies. Plate-glass windows by the entrance doors give the game away - there’s Po the Kung Fu Panda, Slimer from Ghostbusters , and a Dalek - and they all advertise the galaxy of exhibits inside. The man behind the Museum is Jason Joiner, whose enthusiasm for the genre is plain to see. Jason is also CEO of Showmasters, an outfit that organises events such as Collectormania and many film and comic conventions. Over the years he has amassed a large collection of film and TV memorabilia, and has long wanted somewhere to display it all for the general public to see - and at last he has done so.  The vast majority of exhibits are consequently part of Jason’s collection, th...

The Model Market will run on Sunday February 2, 2014. That’s good timing, neatly on schedule to stock up on all those new kits you promised yourself for the coming year. And perhaps also to get the tools you need to finish the unbuilt stuff, left over from 2013… The Model Market is primarily a dealer show, though the Bedford Model Club and New City Model Club will be mounting impressive displays. As with all other HaMeX shows, The Model Market will be held at Hanslope Village Hall, Newport Road, Hanslope, Bucks MK19 7NZ, UK. Aim to get there bright and early, as The Model Market runs on just the one day from 1000-1600hrs, a timing schedule it will share with other HaMeX shows running at the same site. If you get hungry, the K-9 Cafe will open for ace bacon sarnies and plenty of coffee. Kits aplenty, club displays, lots to see and buy, hot grub on hand - what better way for a model maker to spend a winter’s day?! Info on The Model Market here. More on The Model Market and other shows at...

Mat Irvine popped in to Milton Keynes, UK, to see how the local branch of the moribund Modelzone chain was doing today. The results you see here. You can criticize Modelzone stores, especially the modest stock levels, but it's still a very sad day to see any model store going down, let alone 47 of them. For casual buyers, perhaps Modelzone's main strength was in the range of diecast models they had on show, especially good where aircraft were concerned, with squadrons of Corgi and other brands lined up in well-lit showcases. For items of specialist equipment, the chain was perhaps less successful, especially in supplying the miscellaneous bits and pieces required by serious builders of injection-moulded kits. As for the empty hole that will soon open up in Modelzone's absence, perhaps the hugely busy AppleStore a couple of minutes away could use the space as overflow. Even better, Apple could use it for the free training and support that makes the stores so useful for Mac o...

SMN update: A reminder to anyone living in striking distance of Milton Keynes, UK, that this year’s HaMeX launch is on this Sunday, doors open at 10.00 am. Open up your diary for the third HaMeX show! More details over the next few days and direct from the HaMeX 3 2011 site  here .