WELCOME TO AMW128 | JULY 2021
The July 2021 issue of Airfix Model World (AMW128) 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.
AMW128, July 2021
Airfix Model World July 2021
Welcome to Airfix Model World July 2021 featuring full coverage of Airfix's re-released 1/72 Ju 87B-1 Stuka, AMK's stunning 1/48 F-14D Super Tomcat, Airfix's 1/35 US Military Tractor, exclusive model builds, scale modelling news, reviews and more. Read the full issue in PDF format here or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure.
PAVEWAY III
Eduard’s aircraft weapons accessories are increasingly popular, and this product features parts for two GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided bombs.
HUNTING THE BISMARCK
Catalina flying boats of RAF’s Coastal Command played a major part in locating the German battleship Bismarck during May 1941. Malcolm V Lowe tells the story of their epic search.
CATALINA CONSPIRACY
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the sinking of the Bismarck, Kev Baxter builds Academy’s 1/72 PBY-5 as the Catalina Mk I responsible for re-sighting this formidable threat to Allied Atlantic convoys.
GLOVER’S CHARIOT
Inspired by the film BAT*21 plus a childhood spent in and around Cessna-built aeroplanes, Chris Jones builds ICM’s newly tooled 1/48 O-2A Skymaster.
MINIATURE MESSERSCHMITT MASTERPIECE
What can a newly tooled depiction of a classic and popular aircraft type bring to a market full of competitors’ takes on the subject? Mike Williams finds out with Special Hobby’s brand-new 1/72 Bf 109E-4.
ON THE CASE
Airfix has re-boxed Thunder Models’ 1/35 US Military Tractor, and Steve Budd makes the Case for this diminutive model.
BALKANS SCOURGE!
Airfix's excellent 1/72 Stuka makes a welcome return, with this Balkans-theatre version built by Huw Morgan.
Eduard spACE F-14 Detail Set
Is Tamiya’s F-14A Tomcat sitting in your stash? If so, it’s worth considering Eduard’s bespoke mixed-media cockpit upgrade.
FLUSH-WINGED ‘DOODLEBUSTER’
Following the release of its newly tooled 1/48 Hawker Tempest in 2018, this is the first of Eduard’s styrene-only Weekend Edition versions.
ULTIMATE FISHBED DEVELOPMENT
This Italeri MiG-21bis is a re-boxing of Fujimi’s 1991-tooled 1/72 kit, and while hardly long in the tooth, it faces competition from more modern offerings from Eduard and Zvezda, among others.
AVIATION SCENE
Here’s another great multi-set ensemble from ICM, comprising the firm’s 1/48 Bf 109F-4 (48103), Hs 126B-1 (48212) and German Pilots and Ground Personnel set (48082) – and for almost 20% less than the cost of these items separately.
DESERT VISIONS
Special Hobby’s 1/72 Mirage F.1s have been hugely popular since their initial release, and this has been so true of the EQ/ED version (as used by Iraq, Iran, Qatar and Libya) that it has been reissued.
LARGE-SCALE ‘EMIL’
Arguably, Airfix revolutionised large-scale modelling with its 1/24 ‘Super Kits’; its Bf 109E was one of the last of the initial batch released between 1970-73, making it a logical inclusion in the firm’s Vintage Classics series.
SIRENS AND SKIDS
Zvezda has reworked its recent 1/72 Junkers Ju 87 Stuka snap-fit offering to depict the type as fitted with skis on World War Two’s Eastern Front.
AVENGING RETURN
As the only injection-moulded quarter-scale depiction of the type, Dragon’s 1/48 Junkers Ju 188A-2 Rächer (avenger) is highly sought-after, because it has not been available since the 1990s – happily, it’s been re-boxed by Revell.
SHOOT AND SCOOT
Academy’s M12 returns in Airfix packaging with a new set of markings for two late-war machines.
PETITE DEFENDER
French armour subjects are gaining in popularity, with the Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée (FCM) 36 light tank being ICM’s latest new-tool offering.
ARMOURED DEMAG
On a theme of small-scale German half-tracks, Special Armour has re-boxed MK 72’s 1/72 Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf.A Demag-built troop-carrier, which features a hexagonal cross-section.
DINKY-SIZE GENERAL
Intended for wargaming via the Art of Tactic linkup, this 1/100 snap-together M3A1 is ideal for those just entering the hobby, with low parts count - just 11 items on the single styrene runner - and ease of construction.
TANK AND ‘BATTLE TAXI’
Having surprised and delighted modellers with its newly tooled 1/72 Chieftain Mk.10/11 combo, Takom has included different parts to allow an earlier Mk.5 tank to be built, plus original components for a same-scale FV432 Mk.2/1 armoured personnel carrier.
DOWNSIZED DISH
Brengun appears to have ‘downsized’ the ex-Extratech 1/72 FuSE-65 Würzburg-Riese radar system in subsidiary firm Hauler’s range to produce this 1/144 version.
THE LEADER’S HEAVY HITTER
Dragon’s 1/35 JS-2 Stalin II Soviet heavy tank includes parts for three options: either a JS-1 early model with 85mm gun, a JS-2 with 122mm weapon or a JS-2m with a late-production simplified hull front.
TOW-CABLE SPEEDER
Released to celebrate the 40th anniversary since The Empire Strikes Back first appeared at the cinema, Revell’s 1/29 Snowspeeder has returned in Model Set packaging, with six pots of own-brand acrylic paint, a Contacta Professional Mini liquid cement applicator and a paintbrush.
SCOTT TRACY'S RESPONDER
Modellers have been eagerly awaiting Adventures in Plastic’s Thunderbirds kits, and these re-boxed Aoshima/Imai offerings have now been released.
READY FOR RESCUE
Fans of the 1960s TV series Thunderbirds are in for a treat with this 1/350 set from Adventures in Plastic, which is a re-boxing of the IMAI/Aoshima kit.
POD-DEPLOYED DRILL
International Rescue’s specialised pod vehicles are arguably more fascinating than the main Thunderbirds themselves, with The Mole tunnelling machine being a firm fan favourite.
PICK-UP THE HOBBY!
Here’s another Quickbuild release aimed at drawing younger modellers to the hobby, in the form of a Ford F-150 pick-up truck with a deep blue finish and ‘Raptor’ branding, denoting this is the high-performance version.
LOTS OF TROUBLE, USUALLY SERIOUS
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: Tamiya’s 1/24 Lotus Europa has returned with a newly tooled runner containing RS Watanabe wheels (similar to Minilites) and optional rear wing – both were popularised in Japan by The Circuit Wolf manga.