SCALE MODEL NEWS

MAT IRVINE: The UK-based Milton Keynes Scale Model Club held its annual ModelKraft Show recently, and there were thousands of beautifully-finished miniatures on display. General view of the ModelKraft main hall (below) reveals a mass of models, and plenty of visitors. The smaller exhibition area (below) on the first floor, with the main hall visible through windows at the back. Friend of SMN, and co-organiser of the HaMeX model events, Paul Fitzmaurice’s trade stand (below) was packed with model accessories - and every item on it is transported to and from shows in his Skoda Roomster minivan, which he packs and unpacks with millimetric precision. Paul has also set up the newest model club in the area, details at his website. Visit Paul here . You can’t have too many Phantoms… despite its antiquity (first flight 55 years ago!) the cranked-wing F-4 is still a major draw with aviation fans and modellers alike. A neatly-presented 1:25 scale AMT 1965 Lincoln Continental (below) complete...

SMN PREVIEW: The sales tables are booked, club stands organized, hot sandwiches on order, models good to go... Yes, it’s HaMeX again, this time the fourth in the annual event series. For anyone living in reach of the Milton Keynes area in the UK, this is the model zone to head for this coming Sunday. As usual, the two organizers will be there, with Mat Irvine displaying his many models, and Paul Fitzmaurice demonstrating airbrushes and other modelling equipment. More kits on show In Mat’s words, “the HaMeX show is invariably less 'things-to-see driven’, compared with Automodellismo and smallspace, as it is intended purely as a swap meet. However I'm aiming to have even more kits there than usual - some 'new old' ones have been dug out, including a range of 1:20 scale cars and I have more 'fix-er-uppers'. More from Mat “I will have some models on display (as it's in the publicity...!), but exactly what I've yet to decide. It won't - necessarily - be F...

SMN update: Hanslope Model Expo is due Sunday November 27, so here’s a chance to have a look at some of the equipment that will be on demo there. Airbrush expert For example, is airbrushing an art that's new to you? Or maybe you need a new one? Whichever option fits the bill, co-organizer Paul Fitzmaurice of little-cars.com will be delighted to demonstrate his wide range from respected suppliers such as Grex and Harder & Steenbeck. Excellent prices H&S prices are currently very attractive, and a purchase also covers an included workshop DVD and cleaning brush. Compressors are another part of the airbrush zone, and here too there are good prices to be found, and doubtless Paul will be making offers and deals available for buyers on the day. Visit Little-cars.com here . HAMEX 3 details here .

SMN preview: Automodellismo is the only model show in the UK that specialises in cars. The show has been running for several years, but now the venue is that of the HaMeX show - Hanslope Village Hall, north of Milton Keynes, Bucks. Automodellismo is being organised by some of the HaMeX organisers, especially Paul Fitzmaurice of little-cars.com.  Tools for modelmakers Paul will be showing his selection of modelling tools and accessories, and also kits for sale. Vince Brown of Models For Sale, the main UK importer of Japanese auto exotica, will be there too, plus SMN’s own Mat Irvine, who will have kits from his vast collection for sale. There’ll also be models from Mat’s latest book Scale Car Modelling, due for publication in September. And of course, let’s not forget the hundreds of scale cars on display from various model clubs - Automodellismo promises to be a fascinating show. Opening times Public entry to Automodellismo is from 19.00-1630, entry being £2.00GBP, with free entry ...