SCALE MODEL NEWS

Freedom Model Kits is a new scale manufacturer, and the company’s first product is the highly advanced Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle, to 1:48 scale. SMN report: The X-47B UCAV first flew in 2011, and carried out first tests aboard an aircraft carrier the following year. The X-47B has set records throughout its flight history, not too surprising perhaps, as it is easily the most advanced aircraft of its type. It has become the first uncrewed air vehicle to make an arrester-hook landing on a carrier, and a catapult launch in 2013. The X-47B can tote a hefty warload, with a capacity of up to two tonnes (4500 lb) carried in twin weapons bays. It’s a biggish machine, with a wingspan of some 19 m (62 ft). Tests continue, and though the X-47B is a demonstrator, production versions that follow could be in service with the US Navy as soon as 2019. How does the kit look, especially from a new manufacturer? We haven’t seen the finalised product yet, but judging from the cgi ...

 Here's the second of our two catch-up photo-reviews of the 'smallspace' modelfest held earlier this year. As with yesterday's selection, be very impressed with the quality of workmanship on display. And again, there are more to enjoy at Starcruzer* the site with the tagline 'From Earth to Infinity'. Not strictly a sci-fi subject (below) as it's a state of the art UCAV drone, complete with section of tarmac. But the robotic aircraft looks futuristic enough to earn its keep in this lineup. And here's a couple of excellent AFV models, included for variety, and because they simply look so good...