SCALE MODEL NEWS

WE’VE BEEN CATCHING UP ON the multi-award winning TV series Band of Brothers recently, so the newly-released Tamiya 1:35 scale M4A3E8 Sherman tank is particularly interesting. SMN report: The US M4 Sherman tank was one of the great Allied weapons of World War II, manufactured and deployed in huge numbers, and with many variants during its active service. One such variant was the M4A3E8 ‘Easy Eight’ ( Tamiya model below ) which had the benefit of various design improvements incorporated as a result of combat experience. The tracks ( below ) are realistically depicted using belt-type parts. The finished 1/35 scale model has an assembled length of some 214 mm (8.4 in) and width of 86 mm (3.4 in). A commander’s figure ( below ) is included, though it's a top-half model only - the poor chap has no legs. The Sherman's top hatch can be assembled open or closed, and has separate periscope parts. The three-view drawing ( below ) shows a Sherman from the 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, ...

YES, THE SEVENTH HAMEX KIT SWAP lands in Hanslope, UK, today. As ever, the K-9 Cafe serves up grub fit for kings (and model fans). Just turn up from 10.00-1600 hrs today. More details on the show here .

THE MAZDA ROADSTER - also called the MX-5 or Miata - has been a genre-defining car since it first went on sale in 1989. And this 2015 Tamiya kit depicts the latest fourth generation machine. SMN report: Designwise, the latest MX-5 reflects the Mazda concept of ‘kodo’ - soul of motion. And the Tamiya model accurately reflects the new look. Whether it’s better or worse than the last generation MX-5 is a matter of choice, of course - we reckon the squint-eyed look of the headlights is less than perfect, but plenty of enthusiasts think it’s OK. The Tamiya model scales out at a length of 164 mm (6.5 in) and is supplied with roof and side windows down, fair enough with an open-top two seater. Tamiya has included metallic decals for badges, side mirrors, light reflectors, instruments and other interior parts. It’s a useful approach that works well, and is probably a better solution than using chrome-finish paint to achieve similar results. Clear components and metal-plated reflector pieces m...

THERE ARE PLENTY of companies making aftermarket parts for model cars, but few offer a range as comprehensive as that available from The Modelhaus. Mat Irvine:  The Modelhaus is run by Don and Carol Holthaus, who have attended specialist shows for many years. However, they are on a countdown to retirement in May 2017, so make a note to get The Modelhaus kits and accessories while you can. The 2015 40-page catalog ( below ) is packed with goodies for the model car builder. The Modelhaus has a vast replacement parts range for existing models, which can be a life saver - lost that tail light from an AMT 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass? The Modelhaus can do you a replacement, as a close inspection of the 2015 range ( below ) will show. Don Holthaus ( below ) serves a line of customers.   Carol Holthaus ( below right ) behind the counter on the stand.     Some of The Modelhaus complete models ( above, below ) on display at the October 2015 Toledo Collectors Toy Fair . The Modelha...

MODEL CAR HISTORIAN Bill Coulter has written three excellent colour books for anyone who loves retro-style Americana, and the greatest pony car of them all, the Ford Mustang. Mat Irvine:  The books of Bill Coulter ( below ) come with tasty titles: The Nifty ’50s , The Sizzlin’ ’60s , and Fifty Years of Mustangs . The ‘Stang is a fave ride of Bill’s, and like the other two books, is printed in full colour and features buildups, box art, magazine features, diorama ideas, even period colour charts. Fifty Years of Mustangs cover and sample page ( above, below ). The book has a whopping 216 pages in all. The Sizzlin' '60s ( below ) has 74 detailed pages. The Nifty '50s cover ( below ) features seven American classic cars. A sample page ( below ) features a suitably dressed lady driver from the period. The book extends to 56 pages. Bill ( below ) performs an essential author's duty: signing a book.   And ( below ) Bill signs a title just for me. Bill ( below left ) talks w...

SCALE MODELWORLD is the national show for the UK IPMS (International Plastic Modellers Society). It was held over November 7-8, 2015, at the Telford International Conference Centre. Mat Irvine: An important part of Scale ModelWorld is the competition, open to all IPMS members, UK or otherwise. It is split into categories such as Aircraft, Ships, Military, Cars, Figures, Space, Sci-Fi and Fantasy. 2015 National Senior Champion and Best Space, Sci-Fi or Fantasy ( header and two pix below ): Russian Baikonur Soyuz Launch Pad with Soyuz TMA-21 space mission, by Bruno Gire. After the judges of individual categories have made their choices, the leader of each category picks the overall best in their own section, to be entered into the overall ‘Best In Show.’ This means that selection is tight - they’ve already won in their own category and now there is the unenviable task of judging dissimilar subjects. With the wealth of entries being in aircraft, military and ships, it is usual f...