Scale Modelling news, reviews, features and more...
MILITARY MARKINGS
Check out these three new sets of armour schemes from Sweden’s prolific Star Decals. They cover World War Two, the Cold War and First Gulf War.
‘WHAT-IF’ TILTROTOR
Amusing Hobby will certainly please more adventurous Luftwaffe modellers with its new 1/48 Weserflug P.1003/1. Find out more with our examination of this fascinating kit.
SPLENDID SPOTTER
Czech firm Brengun has filled a gap in the market with a modern tooling of Luftwaffe ‘eye in the sky’ – the Hs 126.
COMMONWEALTH AND RAF WILD HORSES
Eduard’s 1/48 P-51 Mustang has won many plaudits since its initial debut. As CHRIS CLIFFORD finds out, it’s now been re-released in Mk.IV format as a special ProfiPACK boxing, with mixed-media additions and six fresh colour schemes.
‘I LOVE KIT’ DEBUT BOXINGS
There’s a new kit brand in town and it’s chosen fresh 1/35 military toolings for its inaugural releases.
FORTHCOMING NEW TRUMPETER KITS
The UK importer of Trumpeter, Bachmann Europe, has advised us of these pending military and naval kits due late August/early September…
PRUSSIAN KNIGHTS OF THE AIR
German publisher Luftfahrtverlag START has produced a stunning new book on a lesser-known World War One German fighter unit… and there are accompanying decals too!
Eduard 1/48 Hawker Tempest Mk.II review
Special Hobby has relied on fellow Czech manufacturer Eduard to provide us with a new 1/48 Hawker Tempest Mk.II, as CHRIS CLIFFORD explains.
BIG SNAKE DEBUT
At last… we have a modern 1/32 tooling of the Bell Cobra helicopter, with ICM’s new AH-1G. CHRIS CLIFFORD finds out more.
BUSH WAR DASSAULT
Special Hobby hit on a real winner with its 1/72 Mirage F1 tooling, which has been released in various versions – but is now available as a South African Air Force AZ/CZ airframe
Are you a Phantom Phreak?
Find out how much you know about the mighty F-4, and modelling it, with our brain-teasing quiz.
BALKANS SCOURGE!
Airfix's excellent 1/72 Stuka makes a welcome return, with this Balkans-theatre version built by Huw Morgan.
Border Model 1/35 Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6
The hotly anticipated Bf 109G-6 from Border Model is notable for its scale – 1/35 – which is usually the preserve of military vehicles. Join CHRIS CLIFFORD as he delves into this novel limited-edition package.
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.