BIGGER AND BIGGER - HUMONGOUSLY HUGE B-17 FROM WINGSPAN MODELS

David Jefferis reports:

Tabletop modelmakers are used to relatively small sizes - for example, 1:32 or 1:24 scale are about the normal maximum for injection-moulded aircraft. But step outside into the world of flying scale models, and it seems there’s almost no upper limit.

Detailed data used to create computerized 3D model.

Target - a better Boeing

WingSpan Models, based in Atlanta, Georgia, was established by Michael Kramer out of his desire for a better scale Boeing B-17. As a mechanical design engineer, he worked in the consumer electronics industry for almost 20 years on products such as cell phones, two-way radios, and dishwashers. He is the holder of several US design patents on products he helped to develop.

1:6 scale WSM B-17 during assembly.

Computer data

And now Michael’s goal is to design, manufacture and distribute: “the highest quality products from plans, kits, and accessories, backing them with unparalleled customer service.” That’s an excellent philosophy, and Michael backs it up with kits that are engineered using state-of-the-art 3D CAD, plus the latest manufacturing processes. Plugs, forms, and other components are tooled from the original computer data to ensure the highest quality reproduction. WSM designs include features unique to the line, such as interlocking parts that take the guesswork out of positioning ribs and adding washout. 

Details, details

There’s much attention to detail too - scale features include functioning gun turrets with scale ammo, correct bulkhead detail, compartment floors, and bomb bays that can drop a full stick of bombs, just like the real thing.

Company aim

Best of all, Michael says that he is: “...a modeler first and foremost, I will strive to make the best possible product and that means listening to our customers to see what improvement can be made.”

Cutaway art dating from the World War II era.

No room at SMN Towers, sob...

Well, we can’t say it clearer than WSM’s President! We’ll let the pictures tell the story, and truly wish there was room here at SMN Towers to start construction of that amazingly huge 1:6 scale Flying Fortress. Ah well, come 2012 and a new HQ...

Visit WingSpan Models here.

Big beautiful Belle

And here's the real thing, pictured at the 2011 Jersey Air Show, sadly cancelled by foul, misty, dank weather that not only grounded the display aircraft, but also all airline flights off the island, along with your intrepid photographer... but that's another story!

READY OCTOBER - FORWARD-SWEEP HARRIER, ‘WHAT-IF’ DESIGN FROM 1980

SMN report:

Ready for release in October is this what-if proposal for a supersonic Harrier replacement, from way back in the early 1980s. The team at Fantastic Plastic has revived the design with a 1:72 scale kit, patterned and cast by Anigrand Craftswork, of Hong Kong.

Forward-sweep fighter

The particular design chosen is the Hawker (BAe Kingston) P1214-3, an amazing looking machine with forward-swept wings, giving it a science-fictional X-wing appearance when viewed from above or below. In fact, further studies by the BAe team showed that forward-sweep didn’t give any real benefits, and the following P1216 design (below) kept the twin tails, but swapped the wing for a more conventional swept-back configuration.

What’s in the box ?

As for the kit, it’s a resin model, split into a relatively few major components. It’ll doubtless be somewhat more demanding to build than an injection kit, but the reward will be in making a model of a rather bizarre-looking aircraft that, in theory at least, could have had the same or better performance than the upcoming Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL* machine, due for US Marine Corps service in a few years time. That’s if the USMC ever gets it of course - at present, development is on a two-year pause, during which time it stands a fair chance of a redesign, or even cancellation.

And yet the Hawker concept was a STOVL attacker designed 30-odd years ago! Looks like an interesing kit FanPlan - we look forward to seeing one in the resin.

(*STOVL - Short TakeOff Vertical Land)

Visit Fantastic Plastic here.

If you play computer flightsims, X-Plane has the P1214 available here.

NEW LOOK COMING TO SCALE MODEL NEWS

Just a word to say we've been playing around with layouts recently and think we have something that will be cleaner, more attractive, easier to read, and will include a far better way to look again at previous articles.

So come back very soon for more news of the update's progress - we're loving it and trust you will too.

btw The aircraft shown is a 1:72 Hasegawa A-10, modified as a Reno Racer for the first remote-piloted UAV race, Year 2020... or thereabouts!

SHUSUI ROCKET FIGHTER - AN ORIENTAL Me163 KOMET

SMN report:

While we’re on the subject of rocket-powered Japanese aircraft (Okha article last week, see link below) here is another 1:48 scale release from the FineMolds stable, the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (‘Sharp Sword’), a single-seat World War II interceptor based closely on the German Messerschmitt Me163 Komet.

Optional markings

The Shusui was a small machine, though bigger than the Ohka - to 1:48 scale the Shusui’s wingspan is just 198 mm (7.8 in), with a nose to rocket-nozzle length of some 126 mm (4.97 in). There is a choice of markings, green or orange, both with the blood-red rising sun meatball for wings and tail. 

Accessory pack

There is also an accessory set available separately, with a raft of metal-etch components to improve the already excellent mouldings. Of particular note is the seat panel, with sharply-defined seat-belt and D-ring harness. There are a number of spanners supplied too, quite remarkably fine at this scale - definitely a case of ‘magnifying glass required’. Unlike the Me 163’s bubble canopy, the Shusui had an eight-piece design, and FineMolds has faithfully reproduced this, along with a single landing skid under the fuselage. 

Shusui picture taken at the Planes of Fame Museum by ‘Sekinei’.

Designing the Shusui

The Me163 Komet did see service and even a few combat kills, but the Shusui never went beyond testing. The original intention had been to build Me163s under licence from Germany, but the purchased aircraft, engines, and plans were sunk by Allied forces while on their way to Japan by submarine. But there was another answer - the Shusui was ‘reverse-engineered’ by Japanese designers, an impressive task, as they had had little more than flight manuals and appearance to go on. The engine was a Toko Ro KR10 liquid-fuelled rocket motor, which could power the Shusei for up to 5.5 minutes, more than enough time to climb above high-flying B-29 Superfortress bombers, then dive among them to attack with a pair of 30 mm cannon. 

First-flight disaster

The Shusui prototype was ready for flight by mid-1945, and on July 7 was test-flown by Lt Cmdr Toyohiko Inuzuka. Only a few seconds after takeoff, the engine stopped, the aircraft stalled, and although Inuzuka managed to glide it back to the runway, he hit a building at the last moment, and the plane caught fire. He died the next day. Investigation showed there had been a fuel pump problem, and further flights and developments were planned after modifications, but the atom-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August put an end to this. Those two devastating explosions brought about the surrender of Japan and the end of the war. 

SMN Ohka article here.

Model pictures courtesy FineMolds. Visit here.

Visit the Planes of Fame Museum here.

The German Me163 was the inspiration for the Shusui. Model by Mat Irvine.

IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS - TEST SHOTS OF UPCOMING REVELL A400M AIRLIFTER TO 1:72 SCALE

SMN report:

Revell is planning a nice Christmas present for military aviation fans - it’s the Airbus A400M airlifter to 1:72 scale. Fitting neatly in size between the smaller C-130 Hercules and the bigger C-17, the A400 is Europe’s tactical transport solution that is finally, after many delays, making its way toward operational status.

A big A400M model

The Revell kit will be quite a brute, with a wingspan of 588 mm (23.15 in) and length of 626 mm (24.6 in), so make sure there’s room available on that display shelf. We show here test shots of the 210-component model, and detail looks pretty good, with refuelling probe faithfully reproduced, as well as a neatly-cut forward door and steps. 

Flight deck windows

It looks as if Revell has decided to do a one-piece flightdeck transparency, leaving the modelmaker to mask off the windows before painting. The swept-blade props appear to have the correct (complex) shape, while the vast interior is revealed by the opening rear door. There seems to be a modicum of detail in there, and it would be brilliant if Revell decides to add more than is usual in this department. The A400M will carry up to 116 soldiers, a pair of Tiger helicopters, or three armoured vehicles, so the opportunities for turning the model into a showstopper will certainly be tempting.

Emergency braking test

The 12-wheel main landing gear appears to be all present and correct, with support legs at the correct rear-facing angle. In the real world, the A400M completed emergency-braking tests just last week. It passed with flying colours, even if three tyres were blow-outs in the process, though that’s a fairly normal event during this extreme type of test, we’re told.

Outlook for the Revell A400M

It looks big and beautiful - and we can't wait to get our hands on it. More details here.

‘BLADE RUNNER’ SPINNER FLYING CAR FROM FUJIMI

SMN report:

Due for release late October is an item that sci-fi model fans have long been crying out for - an injection-moulded kit of the Spinner Police Car from the classic 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner. It’s going to be a 1:24 production from Fujimi, and brings that near-three decade famine to an end, and should bring Fujimi’s talents to the fore with clean mouldings and accurate detail.

Choose your Spinner mode

The Fujimi Spinner can be built in two driving modes, as a ground runner or in wheels-up flightworthy configuration. Decals are supplied by the excellent Italian Cartograf company, so these will be state-of-the-art productions. 

Test shots for the kit were completed in blue and other shades, but apparently the production models will be plain white and clear. Aaah... it’s been a looong time fellow Blade Runner fans, but Fujimi finally puts a smile on this fan’s face! Pictures above courtesy the excellent Gunjap site, link below.

Syd Mead aerodynes

A word for non-experts about the Spinner, which is the generic term for various flying cars seen in the movie. Spinners can be driven as ground-based vehicles, but are free to fly at will, or hover. How they manage this is a matter for conjecture - Syd Mead’s term was ‘aerodyne’, a vehicle that uses downward air thrust for lift. However, press releases of the time also mention conventional engines, even anti-gravity motors! So take your pick, and remember the Spinner is a sci-fi concept, not real-life transportation tech.

Props by Gene Winfield

However, the props for Blade Runner were real enough, even if they didn’t have working anti-gravity systems, more’s the pity. Twenty-five Spinner and other high-tech vehicles were built for the movie, and for those the hugely talented customizer Gene Winfield was called in. Gene was also responsible for the Star Trek Shuttle and is still busy as ever. You can view his work at the link below.

A resin Spinner

Don’t forget that the Devon, UK, based Stargazer Models has a 1:48 scale Spinner in its list. This is a neat enough little model (half the Fujimi's size, in fact) that scales out to some 102 mm (4 in) long, and is suitable for any number of dioramas to this popular scale. 

It’s a simple build with just nine major components, with smaller parts and a decal sheet also supplied. With a careful paint job, this can look a convincing model, and would be interesting to feature next to, let's say, the 'follow-me' Jeep we featured last week here, or indeed in a lineup of law enforcement vehicles to this scale.  

Thanks to the Gunjap site for information. Visit Gunjap here.

The Spinner is also available for pre-order from HobbyLink Japan here.

Stagazer resin Spinner here.

Visit Syd Mead here.

Gene Winfield here.

JAPANESE OHKA ROCKET-BOMB IN TWO VERSIONS FROM FINE MOLDS

SMN report:

It seems to be ‘1:48 scale week’ here at SMN - and here’s another look at this scale with a beautifully produced pair of kits from FineMolds of Japan. Similar in concept to the automated German V-1 flying bomb, the single-seat Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka ensured precise targeting by having a Japanese pilot onboard, to guide the deadly craft towards Allied shipping.

Ohka loading trolley

The MXY-7 Ohka flying bomb version has 69 cleanly-produced components, which fit together well. There’s a modicum of internal detail, but painted carefully, it will look OK. FineMolds has rightly included a loading trolley, on which the real thing was wheeled under its Betty mother-plane, ready for attachment before takeoff and flight. Colour scheme for these machines was usually a pale grey, and details for these are included, as is an accurately-printed decal sheet. The Ohka was a tiny little thing - at 1:48 scale the FineMolds miniature has a wingspan that measures just under 107 mm (4.2 in).

K-1 trainer

The bright-orange K-1 version is an equally neat FineMolds production, this time with 50 parts, and again has a ground-handling trolley included. The K-1 was a glider-trainer, with water ballast added instead of a warhead, and no engines. But the kit has an additional feature, which is the single underbelly landing skid, necessary for repeated flights. The combat version did not have this, due to its one-way mission status.

Human needed

Neither kit includes a pilot figure, perhaps a pity, though you can get the Hasegawa WW II pilot set to remedy this situation. However, FineMolds do an detail-up set (below) with metal-etch parts.

Operational details

The MXY-7 Ohka was usually carried by a Mitsubishi G4M2e ‘Betty’ bomber to within a short distance of its target. On release from the Betty, the Ohka pilot would first glide towards the target, then when closing in, he would light the three solid-fuel rockets, one at a time or together, accelerating toward the target ship.

Final approach was almost unstoppable, as the rockets gave the Ohka a burst-speed of some 650 km/h (400 mph) on the level, and up to 1050 km/h (650 mph) in a steep dive. Had World War II gone on longer, later versions were in hand that could have been launched from coastal air bases and caves, even catapult-equipped submarines. More than 850 Ohkas were built, but only a few hit their targets - just seven Allied ships are recorded as being damaged or sunk.

Yokosuka K-1 Trainer, picture taken at the USAF Museum by ‘Stahlkocher’. The picture clearly shows the landing skid on this variant, plus the distinctive twin-tail layout.

MXY-7 Ohka, picture taken at Cosford Air Museum, UK, by ‘Shiori’. The triple-rocket powerplants are tucked neatly into the tail section.

This is a rare jet-powered version, on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Virginia. The re-engining intention was to add extra range to the rocket-powered standard Ohka, which had to be launched only about 37 km (23 miles) from Allied ships. The slow-flying Betty mother-planes that carried Ohkas were easy meat for defending fighters, so the added range could have made the fast and small Ohka a much more dangerous weapon.

Model pictures courtesy FineMolds. Visit here.

The Ohka is also available from HobbyLink Japan here.

Other FineMolds kits here.

ROLL BACK THE IRON CURTAIN WITH SOVIET-ERA 1:43 SCALE DIECAST CARS

SMN report:

The ModelSpace brand from publisher DeAgostini has a fascinating offer starting now: a dozen-vehicle range of vehicles from the days of World War II, and the later Cold War era, when the Soviet Empire vied with the West.

You speak Russian?

Each 1:43 scale car comes with an imported Russian-language magazine (two spreads shown above) so, unless you speak Russian, you’ll need to crank up your Google translator program. Actually, the language drawback makes the whole thing a lot more interesting, as the cars are only available on general sale today in Russia and the Ukraine.

Marvel and drool

In the words of DeAgostini’s somewhat breathless copywriter: “Marvel at Russian build quality, drool over Soviet refinements - the country that invented austerity!” And that’s about right as, powerful as the USSR was politically, the quality of its technology was, should we say, rather basic. Iron Curtain machines did the job, but with little notion of style or finesse.

Style knockoffs

The cars themselves cover a range of awfulness in automotive design, with names like VAZ, GAZ, and ZAZ. Many of them were poor knockoffs of American style, yet today there’s a period charm that outweighs the copycat looks that first marked them out.

Definitely different

As 1:43 scale models go, these are all fair to good, though without much sophistication. But no matter, they are worth having for that ‘difference-factor’. DeAgostini offers various purchase options, including money-saving bundle deals.

GAZ 11-73

The GAZ 11-73 (top picture) was produced from 1940-46, albeit very slowly, and only 1250 were made -  just 50 or so examples are thought to survive today. First intended as a civilian car, the 11-73’s size and large V6 engine made it ideal as a military staff vehicle. The model is 110 mm (4.3 in) long and 39 mm (1.5 in) wide.

GAZ-13 Chaika

Chaikas were the wheels of choice for the thugs of the KGB, as they swept along the central VIP lanes of ‘everyone is equal’ socialist Moscow, and if a dissenter bound for Siberia was handcuffed in the back, so much the better. The Chaika (Russian for ‘Gull’) was a Communist version of chrome-n-fins Americana of the day, and like the 11-73, was a limited production machine - from 1960-81, less than 4,000 were made. The Chaika diecast model measures 134 mm (5.3 in) long by 46 mm (1.8 in) wide.

Other cars in this import set are just as interesting. For more information visit DeAgostini here.