AMW126, May 2021

WELCOME TO AMW126 | MAY 2021

The May 2021 issue of Airfix Model World (AMW126) is here and you can read the full issue in page-turning PDF format or as individual features re-edited to suit the digital world. Indulge in the latest inspirational build features, browse new releases in the News and Reviews, discover the secrets of scale modelling through our step by step guides and much more.

AMW126, May 2021

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ROCKET MARKINGS

While stencils for aircraft and helicopters are increasingly common, this isn’t necessarily true for the weapons they carry, but Ze-Ro decals has stepped into this gap with a lovely set of markings for the ubiquitous UB-32-57 rocket pods carried by Croatian Air Force assets between 1994 and 2013.

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TOOTHY DELTAS

Syhart has a well-deserved reputation for releasing eye-catching and attractive schemes and its latest set, for two Mirage IIIE airframes with commemorative markings for the 70th anniversary of EC 2/4 ‘La Fayette’ and the squadron’s Sitting Bull insignia, is another fine example.

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PACIFIC SHERMANS

ToRo’s first collection of Pacific Theater Shermans provides markings for seven overall Olive Drab machines, with examples of M4, M4A1, M4 (Composite) and M4A2 tanks.

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GALLIC THUNDERBOLTS

The second batch of French P-47D Thunderbolts from LPS Hobby offers a pair of late-production P-47D-30 airframes, which both had a tail fillet (fitted as standard to -40 aircraft).

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JORDANIAN CARRIER

Fans of airline models wanting an unusual subject may find this set from Decales Global of interest, as it provides markings for Aqaba Airlines’ sole Boeing 737-300 airframe, JY-JAB.

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Airfix Model World May 2021

Welcome to Airfix Model World May 2021 featuring full coverage of Airfix's new 1/48 Chipmunk T.10, a new tool 1/24 Bloodhound, Revell's 1/32 F/A-18E Super Hornet, Tamiya's 1/35 AMX-13/90 tank, exclusive model builds, scale modelling news and more. Read the full issue in PDF format here or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure.

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SEVEN-SHOT QUAD PACK

Primarily used by the US Air Force, the LAU-131 seven-round rocket launcher is the subject of Brengun’s 1/48 resin accessory.

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A MATTER OF CURVES

Designed for use by ship modellers, this simple, yet effective, tool is for bending lengths of wooden strip (such as for deck/hull planking).

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IT’S A DRAG

Here’s a neat upgrade for large-scale models of late Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants in the form of BarracudaCast’s brass and resin tailwheel combination.

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EIGHT-GUN WING

It’s the turn of Eduard’s own Spitfire Mk.IIa tooling to get the firm’s ‘open gun-bay treatment’ and the parts appear identical to those in its earlier Mk.I set (648581).

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AVENGER ASSEMBLED

This simple, yet effective upgrade is designed for Hasegawa’s TBF/TBM Avenger (and recent Hobby 2000 re-boxings) and focuses on the cockpit, with new seats for the pilot and bombardier/radio man – the latter also receives interior framework detail, plus a new equipment rack and radio boxes, all of which will be visible through the type’s capacious canopy.

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REFINED 3-SERIES

While Hobby NuNu’s BMW M3 racer builds into a splendid replica straight from the box, modellers wanting extra refinement should look no further than the firm’s dedicated upgrade.

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MIRAGE RACKS

Intended for Kinetic’s recent Mirage 2000 kits, this set of four fuselage-mounted pylons allows for a full air-to-ground or air-to-air munitions fit.

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AVRO ADD-ONS

Revell’s recent Lancaster B.I/III is the subject of this two-fret photo-etched metal upgrade package, which offers a mix of plain and pre-painted components for the kit’s interior.

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RUNNING GEAR TONES

All-in-one weathering packs are becoming increasingly common, and this set provides a one-stop shop for modellers wanting to paint and dirty a model’s wheels and/or tracks and includes a step-by-step guide to achieving the best effects.

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PILOT ACCESS

This superbly cast set comprises two accurately detailed Spitfire pilot hatches, complete with a separate crowbar for each, suitable for any airframe from the Mk.V through to the F Mk.24.

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COLT DIALS

Designed to fit the Hobby Boss AN-2 Colt kit, Yahu’s pre-assembled and painted instrument panel is a two-piece affair and is a drop-in replacement for the styrene component.

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BULLION STORE

Modellers wanting to build a small-scale Kelly’s Heroes-style scene just got a helping hand from Hauler with its 1/72 resin and photo-etched brass safe, which comes complete with interior compartments, and gold bullion in the shape of a stack of 12 bars and four individual items – ideal for that ‘opening the door’ moment.

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WOODLAND BASE

Creating a convincing diorama base can be challenging, but Reality in Scale’s pre-formed 20 x 30cm Landscape Mats, such as the Forest Floor, will reduce the work greatly.

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FIRST VANGUARD

​​​​Modellers wanting to backdate their AZ Model or Sword Vanguard to the first prototype airframe need look no further than this splendid resin conversion set from Arctic Decals, produced in association with Dekno Models.

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HEINKEL GREENHOUSE

This is one of five Eduard photoetched brass sets designed for ICM’s 1/48 Heinkel He 111 and is focused on the extensively glazed nose section, including components for the pilot and navigator/bomb-aimer positions.

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HOVERING FOR TWO

In the absence of a dedicated two-seat Harrier II kit, there have been several attempts to produce conversion sets for either Monogram’s or Hasegawa’s single-seater offerings.

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PHANTOM LASER

Here’s a handy accessory for modellers wanting to build a 1970s/1980s-era laser-designating US Air Force F-4D Phantom, in the shape of a four-part PAVE Tack pod and associated adapter ‘shoe’ for the type’s centreline pylon.

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DISCO-ERA ‘CONNIE’

Having caused a stir in the Season 1 finale of Star Trek: Discovery, the restyled Constitution-class USS Enterprise is now available as a 1/2500 Polar Lights kit, for which Greenstrawberry has produced a photo-etched metal upgrade.

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TOMCAT THRUST

Modellers wishing to add further detail to Academy’s recent 1/72 F-14A Tomcat should consider CMK’s range of resin enhancements, which includes this representation of the type’s portside Pratt & Whitney TF-30-P-14 turbofan.

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TUBE WITH A FIN

It’s a common misconception that pitot tubes are all just hollow pipes; those fitted to many US aircraft during World War Two (including P-36, P-39, P-40, P-47, A-3, B-239, T-6 and B-25) were fitted with a ‘shark-fin’ probe tip –a detail missed in almost every kit.

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HATS AND BOXES

While CMK has suggested this accessory set is for its Marder II anti-tank gun, these lovely resin extras would be useful for most German artillery systems.

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VIXEN INTAKES

Creating seamless inner surfaces on intakes can be challenging, especially ones to be finished in white, so this resin set from Alleycat is ideal for those with Airfix’s 1/48 Sea Vixen.

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LEGACY BUG EXHAUSTS

Designed to fit Kinetic’s ‘legacy’ F/A-18 Hornet kits, this neat resin and photo-etched (PE) brass set provides new jet pipes and exhaust nozzles for the jet’s General Electric F404 powerplants and comes with a choice of open or closed configuration.

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TORNADO JAMMER

Eduard’s resin 1/48 Skyshadow pod is ideal for any RAF Tornado GR, replacing kit components with a far superior alternative that’s also good value for money.