“I’LL BE BACK” - ARNIE SCHWARZENEGGER’S WHISPERCRAFT SWOOSHES IN AGAIN FROM FANTASTIC PLASTIC

California-based Fantastic Plastic has just released a new 1:72 scale kit of the Whispercraft, a fictional helicopter that featured in the 2000 sci-fi movie, The 6th Day.

In The 6th Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger (famed for the Terminator movies) plays the owner of a small aircraft rental company specializing in vertical takeoff Whispercraft, advanced helicopter-like vehicles whose blades can be fixed in flight to function as conventional wings.

Ron Cobb’s work
The Whispercraft was designed by the hugely talented Hollywood conceptual artist Ron Cobb, some aspects of which he based on actual aerospace projects then being developed by the US military.

Upgrade kit
This Fantastic Plastic kit is a re-release of the 2007 kit, with upgrades that include Ron Cobb's blueprints, along with extras such as a detailed interior, clear vac-form canopy and - we’re pleased to see this - weapons for a military gunship version.

Movie plot
In case you’d forgotten (or didn’t know) The 6th Day plot here’s an intro: “...In 2015, cloning technology is sufficiently advanced that the 'Sixth Day' laws prohibit reproducing a complete human.

“Michael Drucker, the owner of cloning company Replacement Technologies, hires charter helicopter pilot Adam Gibson (Schwarzenegger) and partner Hank Morgan for a ski trip. The two must first undergo blood and eye tests to verify their identities and aptitude...”

From that point on, the plot thickens. Actually it wasn’t a bad script, even if the notion of human cloning being so advanced so quickly was a pipedream. Whispercraft apart, if you like seeing Arnie’s splendid muscles at work, and the bad guys take a dive, then it’s well worth a look on DVD when you have a couple of hours spare.

Summation
Useful addition to the ranks of sci-fi aerospacecraft. Useful scale too. Movie so-so, but good couch potato stuff with a beer and pizza.

Scale: 1:72
Material: Resin/vac-form
Number of parts: 50
Versions: Civil or military
Length: 190 mm (7.5 in)
Pattern: Scott Lowther
Casting: Mana Studios
Decals: JBOT

More Fantastic Plastic stuff at SMN here.

Visit Fantastic Plastic here.

SKY-HIGH REAL-SPACE MODELS FROM DRAGON

MAT IRVINE REPORTS
The Hong-Kong based company Dragon should be congratulated for introducing so many brand new factual ‘real-space’ items.


However my enthusiasm is slightly tempered by the fact that while Dragon issues spacecraft in both ready-built and kit form, sometimes it’s not clear as to which is which. Some are made only as ready-builts, some just as kits, others appear in both forms. Then some of the subjects - kits especially - have odd errors, and assembly instructions may rather lack clarity.

Mighty Saturn
Where ready-builts are concerned, the latter point may not matter much, and at London Toy Fair 2013, the UK-based distribution company Amerang had many of these on display. Dominating the display stand - literally - is the largest commercially-available ready-built model of the Saturn V rocket (above, below). The Dragon model of the launcher that sent men to the Moon is a 1:72 scale giant, standing more than 1.5m (5 ft) tall.

Bigger and bigger
At this point, I should add that there are larger flying versions of the Saturn V made, but for generally available ready-builts, this is the current record-holder.

Capsules and mini-shuttle
Also on display from Dragon were the 1:72 scale Apollo Command/Service Module and Mercury capsules, though - somewhat oddly - the two-man Gemini capsule hadn’t been included. Apollo and Mercury are also available as kits, though the 1:72 scale Boeing X-37B automated mini-shuttle, used by the US Air Force for secret orbital missions, unfortunately isn’t. The pic above shows the 1:72 Apollo CSM and Mercury (left) with some of the 1:400 scale launchers on the right.

Smaller scale launchers
Other Dragon models concentrated on launch vehicles such as the Space Shuttle, Ariane 5, Titan IIIC, and the Proton D-Type. These models are all to the much smaller 1:400 scale, which may not fit with the previous items I mentioned, but they are all to the same scale, so work as a group and don’t take up much shelf space.

Secret spacecraft
The Boeing X-37 mini-shuttle (above) is now a veteran of several months-long military flights - in fact, its third top-secret orbital mission is underway as I write this.

*** SMN Note - A kit version of the Boeing X-37B would be good to see, especially if it included landing gear, and perhaps opening cargo bay doors with some sort of ‘top-secret’ military load. Even better would be if some ground crew were included, as official pix have shown technicians wearing science-fictional suits (below) which would be ideal for a mini-diorama.

DO YOU LIKE DIRTY MODELS OR CLEAN ONES? WITH HUMBROL, THE CHOICE IS YOURS

MAT IRVINE REPORTS
When Hornby acquired Airfix, it got Humbrol as well, providing an ideal addition to Hornby’s modelling portfolio, for Humbrol is one of the world’s major model paint and accessory manufacturers.


Actually, some aspects of the Humbrol range were missing at the time of the takeover, but the gaps are now being filled, and one of these is a must for any modeller interested in more than just putting a kit together.

Wash and weather
These are weathering powders and enamel washes, long-time staples for diorama builders, the Humbrol selection coming in various shades, suitable for all scenarios. There are currently eight powders in the range, augmented with 10 washes.

Showpiece quality
The weathered and washed models on display at Humbrol’s LondonToy Fair 2013 stand showed how such products can be used to elevate a simple assembly kit to being a superior showpiece. The added realism - when carefully applied - that weathering can provide has to be seen to be believed.

Quality models
Showing off the Humbrol weathering products were a Hornby 1:76 scale Diesel Shunter (above), an Airfix 1:32 scale Ford Fiesta WRC (top) a 1:48 scale Land Rover and a 1:76 scale Panzer tank (below). They all looked amazing (especially so when inspected closely) so hats off to the mystery modellers who put in all the hard work.

Return to base
As we reported previously, it’s good to note that at least two-thirds of Humbrol production is now being carried out in the UK. Hopefully this proportion will rise further, with most production returning to the original manufacturing base.

BIG COMIC BOOK FIGURES COME TO TOWN

LONDON TOY FAIR REPORT: MAT IRVINE
Amerang is one of the main UK importers for a wide range of companies that make ‘Comic Book Collectibles’, figures of famous fantasy faces, ranging from Batman to Iron Man and many more.



First of these is Sideshow, a US-based company that specialises in producing exacting ready-built scale models of the most iconic science-fiction heroes and villains.

A full-size Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, greeted visitors to the Amerang stand.

Scale clothing
Kotobukiya’s Batman vs. Joker (above right) with (left) Sideshow ‘caricature characters.’ The legs of the Enterbay Joker are visible behind. Kotobukiya is a Japanese company, while Enterbay is a relatively recently established Hong Kong outfit that began operations in 2005, and also produces figures, with many of these having ‘real fabric’ scale clothing.

Two action-pose Luke Skywalkers from Sideshow. Note the robotic opponents at left.

Sideshow Scarlet Witch from the Avengers, and (below) the Incredible Hulk to 1:6 scale.

In comes the Dragon
Dragon, the Hong Kong company whose kits of armour, ships, and spacecraft often feature in SMN, also makes fully-finished movie comic-book characters, including the Avengers. Dragon also has them in kit form, though telling which version is which, even when referring carefully to brochure and photos, is not straightforward.

Something for the fan
Most of these figures are large scale, some very large, and although none are exactly cheap, if you’re a super-keen fan who wants something really distinctive to decorate the mantelpiece, well…

Terrific Tumbler
From a personal point of view I have to say the most impressive of these collectibles was not a figure - it was the Batman 1:6 scale Tumbler, measuring almost 800 mm (30 in) long. Actually, the black finished one on display was labelled ‘discontinued’, and it appears that a new version in camouflage finish will be issued in 2013.

The Dragon Bane figure (below, foreground) is unfortunately to 1:9 scale, so the juxtaposition next to the bigger-scale Tumbler is a bit odd!

Size issue
At two and half feet long however, maybe either version of the 1:6 scale Tumbler is a little large for the average mantelpiece!

SMN Note: Nice chunky detail here, on one of our favourite fantasy vehicles.

LONDON TOY FAIR 2013 - MINIATURE VEHICLES FROM OXFORD DIECAST

LONDON TOY FAIR REPORT: MAT IRVINE
There were not that many specialist ready-built manufacturers at the 2013 London Toy Fair, but one of the best-known is Oxford Diecast, a 10-year old company that makes a wide range of vehicles.

Scales of Oxford Diecast models include 1:148 (N scale) 1:43, 1:76 (00 scale), 1:72, and plenty of ‘non-scale’ items. 1:148 and 1:76 vehicles are aimed at British rail modellers, but frankly the 00-gauge items are close enough to 1:72 for anyone wanting to populate airfield dioramas.

Past prospect
Oxford Diecast makes the odd modern vehicle, such as the BMW Mini and Land Rover Discovery, but most of the civil makes concentrate on those from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These include such types as classic Minis and Land Rovers, Morris Minors and Marinas, MGA and MGB, even a car I still own, the Reliant Scimitar GTE. Apart from the Brits, there is a smattering of popular European makes, including the Citroen 2CV and VW Beetle. There is huge variety in the commercial sector, with many interesting vehicles available, including ice cream vans, taxis, tractors, and old-style fire engines.

Aircraft range
For aircraft and military enthusiasts, there’s a wide range of suitable vehicles from Oxford Diecast, such as Bedford trucks and military buses, AEC Matador cranes and variations on the Austin Tilly light utility truck. And for those who don’t have the time or inclination to assemble aircraft kits, Oxford makes an excellent range of ready-built 1:72 aircraft.

Period police cars include this Austin/Morris Minivan, Ford Anglia and Morris Minor set.

A boxed set of classic Land Rovers.

A selection of Oxford’s military vehicles in 1:76 scale.

One version of the World War II Austin Tilly light utility truck.

RAF motorbike and sidecar, plus aircraft tug. Note another Tilly version behind.

Some of Oxford’s many civilian vehicles in 1:76 scale.

More to see here.

Oxford Diecast here.

INCOMING - REVELL KITS AT THE LONDON TOY FAIR 2013

REPORT: MAT IRVINE
Revell continues as arguably the world’s largest model-kit company, including the US Revell-Monogram branch. For 2013, there are brand-new kits, backed up by a horde of reissues in various forms.

The fascinating Revell stand at the London Toy Fair, 2013.

A reissue of the Jaguar E-Type. The kit is in 1:25 scale, as it started life as one of the earliest Revell GB kits.

The 1:24 scale kit of the classic Mini is a new Revell production, not a reissued Tamiya kit.

The 1:24 scale Volkswagen Microbus issued a couple of years ago has been modified to make this delivery van. This will be a first from Revell, as the original Microbus kit from Revell Inc. was never issued in van form. Revell-Germany has issued one, but it was a reboxed Hasegawa kit.

New 1:24 scale Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24 Coupe.

More 1:24 scale Formula One, this time the Renault Red Bull Racing team cars, in both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel versions.

A reissue of the Moebius Models International Prostar Truck, in 1:25 scale.

‘Sets’ are in, here the logical pairing of two 1:24 scale models, Mercedes-Benz gull-wing sports cars, old and new.

The Titanic still retains her popularity, or maybe notoriety. Four scales are available from Revell, plus a set with two in the box, one of them to the somewhat weird 1:570 scale, the other a tiny but ‘normal’ 1:1200.

The large 1:72 scale USS Skipjack submarine is a reboxed Moebius Models kit.

The 1:530 scale USS Hornet aircraft carrier has been reissued, this time in its ‘Hornet +3’ version, when the ship acted as recovery vessel for the 1969 Apollo 11 first Moon-landing mission. Appropriately enough, a small - just 7.4 mm (0.3 in) diameter - Apollo Command Module is supplied with the kit. Click the pic to enlarge it, then you should be able to see the capsule next to the island.

The famed RMS Titanic always takes centre-stage, while her sister ship the RMS Olympic is usually forgotten. However Revell has remedied this with a 1:700 scale kit of the ship.

German Army Dingo A2A personnel carrier, a new kit in 1:35 military-model scale.

Big, detailed and excellent, the Heinkel He 219 Uhu in 1:32 scale.

Royal Navy Westland Lynx to 1:32 scale, complete with an excellent decal scheme.

A reissue of the classic Revell Inc. Northrop F-89D/J Scorpion to 1:72 scale.

The Supermarine Stranraer flying boat, a reissue of the old 1:72 scale Matchbox kit.

A new version of the Bell P-39D Airacobra. Note the gorgeous gal draped behind the prop.

Brand-new kit of the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV, a larger version of the MQ-1 Predator.

The Red Bull energy drink company sponsors aerobatic teams as well as Formula One race cars, and Revell is reissuing a number of existing kits under ‘The Flying Bulls’ banner. The Eurocopter EC 135 is to 1:32 scale, the rest are 1:48.

1:74 scale Star Wars Republic Gunship.

Yet more from the Star Wars universe, here Anakin Skywalker’s Pod-Racer to 1:32 scale. It is a similar size to the earlier AMT kit, though has a more substantial support base.

*** SMN Note: Good to see the Star Wars gunship available in a near-standard model aircraft scale. It would be terrific to see a diorama version loaded to the max with Imperial Stormtroopers.