SCALE MODEL NEWS

THIS LAYOUT COMBINES traditional model rail construction with a dash of science fiction. The Edwardian sci-fi story  War of the Worlds by HG Wells makes for an interesting, and very different, diorama setting. SMN report: Invasion from an alien world is an old science-fiction theme, and one that's tackled successfully in this suitably British model rail display. It's a good subject for all model makers, and kit manufacturers have supplied various scale models to satisfy demand. Pegasus Hobbies have an interesting take on the 1953 George Pal movie, an award-winner in its day, and a classic that should be seen by all sci-fi fans. Click to read all about the Pegasus kit. The latest War of the Worlds reinvention is from the BBC ( below ). The three-part series is currently on-air and streamed on iPlayer. It's worth watching, not least because it is set in England, as was HG Wells's original tale. The effects are also worthwhile, even if the pace becomes somewhat ponderou...

KIT-MAKER MOEBIUS MODELS has linked with Pegasus Hobbies, another company that releases many science fiction and fantasy subjects. Mat Irvine:  Frank Winspur, founder of Moebius Models, has passed the reins to Pegasus Hobbies. Pegasus is owned by Larry Thomson and Tom Macomber, and features kits that range from science fiction and fantasy, to figures, vehicles, and EZ Snapz models. However, Moebius will continue much as before, and present plans for new kits remain, so you should be able to get everything that Moebius has in the works. The aim is that the Moebius brand name will be retained, and in effect be run separately from Pegasus. Frank Winspur ( below left ) with Moebius New Products Manager, Dave Metzner. Part of the Moebius automotive range ( below ).   Moebius make both factual and fantasy submarine kits. The USS Skipjack ( below top ) and the TV star Seaview . Note the auto prototype at left.   Moebius Batman-related figures ( below ). Note the excellent paint...

PEGASUS HOBBIES is billed as the largest hobby store in southern California (SoCal), and having walked all the aisles, I can confirm the statement is true. Mat Irvine:  President of Pegasus Hobbies is Larry Thompson, whom I first met at trade hobby shows in Chicago, variously RCHTA and then iHobby Expo. Back then, model company personnel would meet up over a weekend to display their wares, and get together with like-minded others for a natter over a pizza and beer. Larry traveled to Chicago for those events, but would always add “If you are ever in California, drop by.” So, as I was there recently, that’s just what I did. The Pegasus Hobbies store is located in Montclair, about an hour or so on the I-10 from downtown Los Angeles. Located in a side street off the interstate, at first glance it doesn’t look that imposing, but you soon spot what appears to be a control tower on the roof, along with a full size yellow and black Gee Bee Model Z race plane. Both are replicas, but do set ...

Pegasus Hobbies continues with its eclectic range of kits, expanding on a range of subjects that includes plenty of science-fiction kits, many of them original Pegasus designs. Mat Irvine reports from iHobby Expo 2014. Two Pegasus banners, showing various kits that include a nifty Terminator that should interest fans of the popular movie series. A six-ship squadron (below) of Pegasus Alpha Centauri UFO flying saucers. The cow seems to be oblivious that it is about to be abducted - but including the animal is an option! A selection of Pegasus kits includes aircraft (front) and a variety of science-fiction subjects. Note that many of them (back) are also available in pre-built form. It's a great option for time-poor scale enthusiasts or simply model fans who lack the skill to produce a first-class miniature. A glass display case (below) includes natural history subjects and (bottom) two spaceships from 1950s movies, the Cosmostrator (First Spaceship on Venus) and Luna (Destination M...

Mat Irvine reports from iHobby Expo: Continuing my look at the new goodies on show at iHobby, this time I'm inspecting Pegasus Hobbies, a company that started off by making glitzy accessories for car modellers, an aspect it still does, but that now also makes aircraft and military models, and is best known for its science-fiction kits. War of the Worlds This is high on the Pegasus listing, and with the classic 1953 George Pal movie having been covered, attention is now being given to the more recent Tom Cruise movie of 2005. A Martian figure has already been released, and next up is the three-legged Martian war machine. Interestingly, the Pal ‘flying’ design was the only one that eschewed HG Wells’s text description - all other versions, including the Jeff Wayne audio and stage show version, and this latest, follow Wells closely. The Pegasus kit is big and tall - it stands more than 600 mm (24 in) high, even in 1:144 scale. The kit will also provide an opportunity for internal ligh...