WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE
The April 2021 issue of Airfix Model World (AMW125) 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.
Tank-Hunter treats
Armour subjects typically have many small fittings that are challenging to reproduce in styrene, so Eduard’s photo-etched accessories are a real boon for modellers.
Taranto Survivor
Modellers with 1/350 or 1/700 Littorio kits from Trumpeter or Pit-Road will find this Super Drawings’ volume an ideal accompaniment.
Loaders and Fixers
Although intended for its ‘Art of Tactic’ wargaming system, Zvezda’s quintet of 1/72 Luftwaffe ground crew – including a bomb-carrying trolley – is equally suitable for adding to aircraft maintenance dioramas.
Pre-Dreadnought Innovation
Modellers with Combrig’s 1/700 Brandenburg-class battleship kits will appreciate the reference provided by this Super Drawings in 3D publication from Kagero.
Flying Feline
NATO’s Tiger Association units often paint their aircraft in special schemes for the group’s ‘Tiger Meet’ events, and this DXM Decals sheet provides markings to represent a French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000D at the 2010 gathering.
Extended-Range Zerstorer
Italeri has combined a new decal sheet with Fujimi’s 1975-vintage 1/48 scale styrene to represent either a Messerschmitt Bf 110-C or -D fitted with underwing fuel tanks.
Wheely good extras
AIRFIX’S 1/24 F6F-5 Hellcat has received rave reviews, but there’s room for improvement even for this magnificent kit, with Barracuda’s replacement resin mainwheels.
Mortar Assault
Italeri’s Sturmmörser Tiger may be more than 20 years old, but still manages to surprise.
'Flying Porcupine' details
Designed to fit Special Hobby’s recently tooled Sunderland Mk.V, this two-fret package provides upgrades to the cockpit, plus nose and beam gun positions.
Smooth Serving
This 1/72 Panzer IV from Zvezda represents the Ausf. H version produced from 1943 onwards.
Warhawk 'wow factor'
Special Hobby’s Kittyhawk Mk.Ia (the RAF name for P-40D/E/F Warhawks) is the recipient of this two fret PEl upgrade from Eduard.
Summer Storm
Chris Jones ‘scrambles’ for aftermarket accessories to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with the return of Airfix’s superb 1/48 Hurricane Mk.I.
Soviet Soft-Top
It’s been seven years since ICM released its first Moskvitch, and this re-release depicts the soft-top version.
Thousand Pounders
It’s a curious fact that, until recently, accurate modern British aircraft weapons were hard to source in any scale.
Double-Ugly Tales
Featuring 20 anecdotes from 13 UK Phantom pilots and navigators, this splendid collection offers a wonderful mix of the thrilling, dangerous and humorous exploits from those RAF and Royal Navy aircrew who flew McDonald Douglas’ twin-engined fighter/ground-attack aircraft.
Shirtsleeves and Shorts
ICM has added another trio of aircrew to its range of 1/32 figures with this selection representing two pilots and an officer wearing uniform suitable for the hot and humid conditions experienced in World War Two’s tropical theatres.
Wide-ranging Desert Study
This volume in the Africa at War series is the second focusing on the conflict in the Western Sahara, specifically air warfare between 1975-91 – a period spanning the withdrawal of Spanish troops from the former Spanish Sahara to an official ceasefire.
International Hatpins
Modellers wanting to portray their 1/72 Starfighters ‘through the ages’ will find this collection from Xtradecal invaluable.
Low-Back Soviet
Following its Yak-1, Brengun has released a 1/72 Yak-1b, which features a new bubble-shaped canopy and low-back fuselage, plus increased armour and internal upgrades.
Staff 'Schmitts
This is the first large-scale collection Xtradecal has devoted to Messerschmitt Bf 109s operated by Stab (staff) or headquarters units of the German Luftwaffe during World War Two.
Channel-Hopping Chopper
Special Hobby has re-released its 1/48 Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache (Dragon) with new markings for an aircraft captured and evaluated by American and British forces.
CHUNKY TYRES
Here’s another great accessory for a 1/32 Lancaster that’s quick and easy to incorporate yet makes a noticeable difference.
Locos and Bombers
Trumpeter and railway model specialists Bachmann have joined forces to release a newly tooled 1/144 kit and limited-edition die-casts of the Avro Vulcan.
Add-On 'Beeps and squeaks'
Electronic countermeasures pods became de rigueur for most US Air Force tactical aircraft in the Vietnam war, and have been a common feature ever since.
New to the Fold
In his inaugural AMW build, Dean Large tackles Revell’s 1/32 Arado Ar 196 floatplane.
Second-Gen Mustang
Released previously under the ‘Revell Muscle’ brand, the firm’s 2006 Shelby GT-H hard-top rental makes a welcome return.
Viper 'Burner
Designed to fit Tamiya’s splendid F-16C kits, this neat three-piece resin update from Brengun supplies a replacement afterburner ring, exhaust pipe and nozzle.
French and Israeli Combo
Having delighted modellers by collaborating with FRROM/ Azur for its newly tooled 1/72 Super Mystères (see Reviews, Oct and Nov 2019), Special Hobby has now released a limited-edition Duo Pack.
Legionary Commander
Comprising 42 components plus a three-part base, this ICM release depicts a 1st Century Roman Centurion, complete with distinctive Scutum shield, Galea helmet and Gladius short sword.
de Havilland DH.114
The return of Airfix’s 1/72 de Havilland DH.114 Heron Mk.II as a Vintage Classics offering inspired the selection of the British four-engined airliner for this month’s Archive Treasures.