SCALE MODEL NEWS

The British design studio IDO has revamped the logo and website for the estate of the late Gerry Anderson, creator of cult TV sci-fi series such as Thunderbirds and Space 1999. The logo is built around a simple letter ‘A’ with a rocket blasting off inside - a sure-fire reference to the space-age machinery that starred so strongly in Anderson’s work. As for the video, it’s short but well worth watching - and crank up your speakers to listen to the excellent sound track. Retro legacy According to the designers, “We opted for flat colours and an illustrative style, giving a slightly retro look that would sit well with the legacy shows but at the same time look to the future and a new audience to convey that a new, exciting adventure was beginning.” New look The style revamp is extensive, and covers online and social media channels to coincide with information that brand-new Gerry Anderson productions are in the works. The bold graphic look is designed to look as good on the website as on...

Gerry Anderson, creator of a host of children's TV series, including classics such as Stingray, Thunderbirds, and Space 1999, has just died, at 83 years old. More on the Anderson legacy at our sister site Starcruzer .

The smallspace show displayed UK science-fiction models at their best. And for nostalgic fans of the Gerry Anderson Supermarionation TV shows, the puppets of Duncan Willis took some beating. Early TV shows Duncan is seen above, with three of his replicas, Steve Zodiac, Lady Penelope, and the chauffeur Parker. In Duncan’s words: “I am a lifelong fan of Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation shows, with my first proper memory being of watching Fireball XL5 on TV, although I can just about remember watching Torchy, a Torchy annual being one of my most-read bedtime books.” Early Anderson inspiration Torchy the Battery Boy was the second TV series produced by Gerry Anderson. Fifty-two 13-minute episodes were made, for airing in 1958-1959. Predating Torchy were the Adventures of Twizzle, the very first Anderson series.    Recycled materials Duncan adds: “I have been making puppet replicas for around six years, and like to make scratch-built props for them to sit on/in. The pr...

The new model show smallspace  was a huge success - outside the hall, Daleks rampaged the streets, while inside model-makers showed off their skills. Thunderbirds are Go Gerry Anderson’s famed puppet and live action TV series were a popular subject at smallspace , so here’s a first burst of pix, to give you an idea of the beautifully made models on display. More to come There’ll be more to come throughout this week - enjoy! Neat 6-wheel Rolls-Royce, with Lady Penelope under the wide canopy. Tasty red markings sported by Thunderbird 3. The Meta probe (above) looked a serious design for a deep-space craft. Plenty of Thunderbirds collectibles and models available here .

The new model show from the HaMeX organisers is arriving soon, with liftoff planned for Stardate: July 1, 2012. The  smallspace  event will feature a galaxy of space, science-fiction and fantasy modelling. Voice of K-9, the robot dog A fantastic day is promised for UK model fans at the smallspace model spectacular, liftoff due in a couple of Sundays, on July 1, 2012. There’s heaps of stuff on offer, including a special guest from TV’s famed Doctor Who, none other than the 'voice of K-9' himself, John Leeson ( above ). And the actual special effects prop K-9, as used in both Doctor Who and The Sarah-Jane Adventures, will be alongside. You will be able to chat with John, have your picture taken, and maybe - for a modest fee - get a signed photograph. BBC VFX duo BBC Visual Effects Designer, Mike Tucker ( above ) will also be attending smallspace . Mike is seen here with the Big Ben clock tower model he designed and filmed for the first series of the new Doctor Who. Mike’s ...

SMN report: Researching the upcoming 51st Shizuoka Hobby Show means we’ve bumped into all sorts of good stuff, and that includes these ace shots of the Hasegawa 1:35 scale Lunadiver Stingray spacecraft, complete with a pair of space-combat troopers. Moon attack trio Lunadiver isn’t brand-new, but here you have a couple of same-scale combat troopers cocooned in their Fireball SG combat suits, plus the pilot sitting in the cockpit. Movie postponed - for a short while There’s also a brief cgi movie showing these sci-fi combat craft in action, but the oddities of this blogging platform mean that it’s gotta be processed separately - so we’ll hopefully be able to post that later this week. It’s short but really gives a feel for the backstory and ongoing warfare that’s the raison d'être of this futurespace Maschinen Krieger item. Ma. K stuff to buy here . Also available at HobbyLink Japan here . Visit the Shizuoka Hobby Show 2012 here .

SMN report: Boy, there are some enviable kit-producing talents out there, and they are not just working with the mainstream companies, either. US modelmaker and web designer Michael Fichtenmayer is among those talents, and his FichtenFoo and Industria Mechanika websites bring us all manner of science-fiction delights, including this limited-edition model kit of Ralph McQue’s Remora, a sort of anti-gravity floating cargo ship. Orders are being taken now for this very limited release. Cool designs A top priority with Industria Mechanika (IM) models is to: “Produce and promote really cool original model designs.” So no Star Wars and Star Trek knockoffs from IM, and in our view, that’s a very good thing indeed. In IM-speak: “Everything seen here is original designs by their original creators. We help modelers turn what might have been a one-off project into original products that everyone can enjoy.” Promoting originality Industria Mechanika’s aims are clear: “We take original masters, pro...