Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
LONG-LIVED BATTLECRUISERS
While many pre-World War One dreadnoughts were upgraded significantly in the inter-war period, few were changed as much as the four Japanese Kongō-class battlecruisers (Kongō, Hiei, Kirishima and Haruna), which were reconstructed extensively.
MUSTANG UPDATED
Intended initially as an updated and expanded edition of an earlier volume, MMP’s Mustang Rediscovered evolved into a much more comprehensive study of later P-51 variants, and includes the photo-reconnaissance F-6D/K.
SEABORNE SUKHOI
Chinese kit manufacturer Minibase has made a stunning debut with its sea-going 1/48 Su-33 Flanker-D. Chris Jones finds it an involved but satisfying project.
SPLENDID SCHNELLBOMBER
Released as part of Revell’s ‘Battle of Britain’ collection, this superb Ju 88 – arguably the best in 1/72 – makes a welcome return, this time in an early-war A-1 guise.
WACKY WEAPONS
“Necessity is the mother of invention”, as the saying goes, and this is particularly true during wartime, when operational needs drive massive changes.
FRIEDRICH PLANS
Modellers with Messerschmitt Bf 109F kits will appreciate Kagero’s TopDrawings publication, which provides a selection of scale plans, colour profiles and detail diagrams for this sub-type.
HUMPS AND STUFF
Check out Eduard's reboxing of its Sopwith Camel as a Limited Edition Dual Combo, with mixed media and decals for ten airframes! We also discuss extra aftermarket parts released by Eduard in parallel.
TELFORD UPDATE
IPMS (UK), organisers of Scale ModelWorld at Telford, have issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions relating to this year's event.
HERKY BIRD SCHEMES
If you have any of Zvezda's recent 1/72 C-130 Hercules kits on your build list, you'll want to see these new markings sets from Xtradecal.
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?
The wait is over... we have conformation that the IPMS (UK)'s Scale Modelworld event at Telford is going ahead this November!
THE MIGHTY MO
Well covered in the larger scales, Academy’s 1/700 World War Two-period USS Missouri is explored by Andy Davies.
NIPPONESE BATTLER
Small-scale armour doesn't get much better than IBG's new 1/72 Japanese Type-95 Ha-Go tank. It's brilliant value!
Airfix Model World October 2021
Welcome to Airfix Model World October 2021 featuring full coverage of Airfix's newly tooled 1/48 de Havilland Vampire, Special Hobby's new 1/32 Westland Whirlwind and a 1/32 Battlestar Galactica Raptor from Moebius, plus 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.
CREDIBLE CRUSTY
Mike Verier finds that this 'not-really-an-airliner' 1/144 Tu-134UBL Crusty-B from Zvezda builds into a faithful rendition of the Soviet aircraft.
MORE LEATHERNECK ‘SPOOKS’
If you've bought Tamiya's new 1/48 F-4B Phantom, we're sure you've been blown away by its quality and fit. However, there are always more colour schemes to explore and Furball Aero-Design has come to the rescue with its new decal package for USMC 'Rhinos'.
GROWLING MISSILES
Having delighted modellers with its latest Russian aircraft and submarines, Zvezda has turned its attention to surface-to-air-missiles, with a new tooling of the S-400 ‘Triumf’.
SPECIAL ISSUE SNAKE
Czech kit and aftermarket manufacturer Special Hobby has teamed up with Ukrainian firm ICM to release a special hi-tech version of the latter’s splendid 1/32 AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter.
NEXT-GEN PRIMERS
AK Interactive's paint range has been revitalised with the introduction of its water-based 3rd Generation Acrylics line, which has now been joined by the release of dedicated primers.
DISPLAY CASE
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: This month’s selection of reader projects features large subjects depicted in the small scale of 1/72 – including a trio of diorama builds.
NEITHER DEAD NOR ALIVE
Following its 1/16 Night King, ICM has released another figure seemingly inspired by the Game of Thrones series: one of the reanimated minions from the frozen land beyond The Wall. Johan Augustsson introduces painting theories on this creepy fellow, a 1/16 Wight.
CLOWNING AROUND
Jen Wright takes a break from reality with a couple of cartoon-style fighter builds from Great Wall Hobby.
WEATHERED WORKHORSE
Joe Turner turns MiniArt’s 1/35 US Bulldozer into a weathered machine, and places the model in a period scene.
RETURN OF THE SNAKE
Despite its age, Eduard's 1/48 Airacobra is still a worthy and fun modelling venture. Its P-39Q has now been re-released as a Weekend Edition package, with new schemes.
CHOOSE YOUR ‘CHIPPIE’
A cornucopia of de Havilland Chipmunk colour schemes are represented via Xtradecal's four new waterslide decal sets, produced with Airfix's new 1/48 kit in mind. See all the liveries listed here.
MARKINGS FOR THE GREAT GUST
If You have a Dassault Rafale in your stash, you won't want to miss Syhart's new decal sheet for the type. It caters for French Air Force and Navy, with options for myriad airframes.
COLD WAR SCANDY ARMOUR
Amusing Hobby has filled a long-time gap in the Cold War armour market with its brand-new 1/35 Swedish Strv-104 Centurion variant. Read CHRIS CLIFFORD'S review here.
MORALE-BOOSTING TAXICAB
Dr James Whalen leaves his comfort zone, scaling his car modelling down to 1/35 for ICM's detailed Renault Type AG Taxi.
HOWARD IN THE CONGO
Mike Grant creates a Free French Air Force aerial ambulance with Dekno Models' 1/72 Howard DGA-15P.
DAZZLING TARGET
If unmanned aerial vehicles and drones interest you as modelling subjects, ICM's 1/48 Ryan Firebee will be a welcome prospect. It comes with parts for two drones and decals for three colour schemes.
OLD 'CAT, NEW TRICKS
Despite a challenging construction process, Mike Williams completes Italeri's re-issue of AMT's old 1/48 F7F Tigercat and adds a convincing weathered finish...peeled paint and all!