SCALE MODEL NEWS

SUBARU FANS WATCH THIS! We hope this post-Christmas vid will delight anyone who's into this iconic Japanese auto brand. David Jefferis: The BRZ two-seater in particular has gained many thumbs-ups and awards, not least for its classic simplicity, which makes it pretty much a driver's car, on a par with another Japanese sportster, the Mazda MX-5. As for the kit shown here, well, it's a Tamiya model, so that means a beautifully executed kit that's a pleasure to built. Our current festive project is constructing a resin garage-build of a 1:24 scale steam locomotive, and that means a massive difference in the quality, fit and finish of the components.  Mind you, Tamiya has been in the game for many years, having been founded by  Yoshio Tamiya in   Shizuoka, Japan , in 1946.  The company rapidly gained a reputation for producing outstanding quality models, with superbly accurate detail. The founding philosophy is reflected by a simple motto: First in quality around the wo...

THIS IS NOT YOUR EVERYDAY war, instead Model Collect has a model range that's based on a version of the Luftwaffe 1946 what-if science faction scenario. SMN report: The idea of ‘Fist of War’ from Model Collect is that of an alternative timeline, in which World War II had actually carried on after 1945. The ideas and concepts explored with Fist of War explore types of weapons that could have been developed, if the Axis powers had kept on fighting. For sci-fi lovers, Fist of War is a great idea, especially as the 1:72 scale means the models – mostly armour of various sorts – can be incorporated into a model aircraft scene. Mind you, we don’t think even the most advanced ideas of the mid-1940s included walking tanks, so maybe Fist of War owes more to Star Wars than a realistic look at history. But no prob – treated as pure fantasy, Fist of War works well.  The kits themselves are neatly produced, and for air buffs, the V-1 flying bomb mounted on a mobile tracked launcher looks really...

HERE'S ANOTHER VIDEO by the hugely skilled model maker, David Damek. SMN report: Apart from posting videos like this to YouTube, David runs an interesting website called Plasmo. This is a contraction of plastic models, which makes sense. The site includes plenty of tips and tricks, many of which are obviously useful for new modellers, but there's also stuff for the more experienced. The Gallery feature ( pictures in this article ) displays David's talents well. Click here to visit the Plasmo website.

HERE'S MORE VIDEO EXCELLENCE from YouTuber David Damek and his Plasmo productions. David really knows how to build a kit, so sit back and enjoy. The Hobby Boss model is a good one, and it comes in 1:32 scale too, which makes all that hard work on the build hugely worthwhile.

THE KAI T-50B GOLDEN EAGLE is a single-engine supersonic jet trainer, produced in South Korea. The T-50 is a handsome design, the looks of which are captured nicely to 1:48 scale by Academy Models. SMN report: Model maker David Damek gives us a close look at the Academy kit, with his detailed step-by-step video build. He has included some careful mods, including using hypodermic needles as sliding canopy supports. The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is also used by the Singapore Air Force ( below ) so you have a choice of markings. David's work is painstakingly neat, and his video (below) is well worth watching. Amazon.co.uk Widgets

HERE'S A FASCINATING VIDEO showing a full build of a 1:48 sale Eduard Fw 190. There's certainly no shortage of TLC where this kit is concerned.  SMN report: The model gets the medical glove treatment, which is a definite must if you do much close-in airbrushing. Gloves are great for skin protection, as is wearing a surgical mask to protect your airways and lungs. I once sprayed a deep-sea scene without a mask, and ended up sneezing and coughing blue-green gudge for a week. Never again!    Weathering and dirtying up is a big part of preparing this kit. Now if I had been a Luftwaffe pilot at the time, I might have had stern words with my ground crew for the filthy condition of my aircraft. But my clean habits aside, this Eduard model really looks the part, especially under the engine cowlings. Builder David Danek deserves a mention, as the aircraft underlines just how far you can take super-detailing. I particularly like the ultra-fine antenna wiring - and the dulling dow...

DAVID JEFFERIS REPORTS: Hobby Link Japan has some tasty sale bargains in the ‘plasmo’ (plastic model) line for Japanese hardware enthusiasts. Here are just a few of the dozens of offers, many at less than half-price. Unusual kits available Hobby Link Japan has a terrific website, and the company exports all over the world, and as HLJ hails from Japan, it’s a real specialist in tasty and unusual local models. These sale items are titled in HLJ-speak: ‘plasmos’, which is a neat contraction that we may borrow! There are dozens of kits on offer, so here are just a few tasters to think about.     Early RX-7 can be motorized For the home market, the rotary-engine Mazda RX-7 was titled the Savannah. The svelte machine is modelled here by Aoshima to 1:20 scale, and can be motorized, though the required RE-260 motor is not supplied - however, gears, leads and electric contacts components are in the box. Likewise, the car can be wired up for lighting, though bulbs are not supplied...