WILL XMAS BRING A NEW TYPE OF KIT? MODEL FACTORY HIRO RELEASES 1:20 SCALE 'MULTI-MEDIA HYBRID' FERRARI 312T4

SMN REPORT
Automotive model fans prepare to open your wallets for this 1:20 scale 1979 Ferrari 312T4. Produced by the excellent Japanese Model Factory Hiro, and due in December, the kit is proclaimed as ‘a hybrid injection’ kit. MFH reckons this is a new term to cover the massively multimedia nature of the production, containing components produced in white metal, photo-etch, spun-aluminium, and plastic injection. Sounds great to us, and as the pictures show, the results ought to be spectacular in the hands of a reasonably skilled model maker.

What’s in the box?
* The kit will have parts for 1979’s Belgian Grand Prix, when Scheckter clinched the championship, plus alternative parts to show the car as it raced in the Spanish, German and Austrian GPs.
* The body cowling and other outer parts are plastic, the main inner parts of white metal.

* Monocoque parts are die-cast aluminium - MFH says. “Just brush it and you can have the feel of real metal.”
* Intakes, exhaust end and wheels centres are made of aluminium alloy. Wheel rim and safety bolt are white metal, to be attached to the wheel.

* Metal mesh, for intakes, muffler spring, cords, pipes, seat belts are included.
* Cowl and side pontoons are removable, so that internal parts such as the Ferrari V12 engine can be seen. A neat touch - the body is attached by magnets for easy removal.
* Transparent blue-tinted windshield, provided in vacuum-formed plastic

About the Ferrari 312T4

The car dates back to 1979, when Ferrari introduced it to compete with the successful Lotus 79, making the 312T4 the first Ferrari ground-effect design. With a V-12 for power, the 312T4 first competed at the 1079 South African Grand Prix, where it was a huge success, scoring a 1-2 win with Gilles Villeneuve taking the podium, Jody Scheckter coming in second on his home turf.

Big win
That result was quite an achievement for the 312T4, and the first Formula One 1-2 debut since the legendary Mercedes-Benz W196 of 1954. The 1979 season ended in barnstorming style, with the Italians taking the Constructor Championship, and Jody Scheckter winning the Driver Championship, a double-top not repeated for another 21 years, in 2000.

Driver absent
Note that MFH has not included a driver figure, so you’ll have to go elsewhere for a miniature Jody Scheckter. We can find the Top Model one, though it’s moulded to the slightly larger 1:18 scale. Maybe buy that and fit Jody with platform heels...

Summation
Pictures here are provided courtesy Model Factory Hiro and are of test-shot assemblies, so minor changes and improvements can be expected. However, from the obvious quality seen here, the car looks like a must-have. As for price, the UK retail £137.95 GBP ($220 USD) seems fair value, bearing in mind the sheer quality and close attention to detail.

The Model Factory Hiro Ferrari 312T4 will be available from selected outlets, including the UK-based Hiroboy, not so far from SMN Towers.

We found a 1:18 scale Jody Scheckter figure on eBay here.

Other Ferrari car kits here.

Visit the Model Factory Hiro site here.

TIME TO MUSE MORE WITH AOSHIMA VARIATIONS ON THE HAYABUSA MUSES-C SPACE PROBE TO 1:32 SCALE

MAT IRVINE REPORTS
On August 14, 2010, SMN featured a 1:32 scale kit of the Aoshima Japanese Hayabusa asteroid sample-return mission space probe, originally known as MUSES-C. Since then, Aoshima has issued two variations of this model.


The first kit adaptation came as the Next Generation Asteroid Probe Future Creation Model (pictured top) a title that may roll off the tongue better when spoken in Japanese! The NGAPFCM is a future mission concept that uses the Hayabusa bus (‘bus’ being the general name given to the main body of a satellite or space probe), and the kit is more or less identical, the only real difference being that it lacks Hayabusa’s large high-gain antenna.

New parts
The original Hayabusa kit has some 40 parts, moulded in light grey, as shown in our previous article. The NGAPFCM has a new runner with just three new components, two of these being for the new stand. Size is around 200 mm (8 in) across the solar panel ’wings’.

Hayabusa movie
There’s also a third variation (above) from Aoshima, this time with a movie connection. It is basically the same as the first-issue Hayabusa, but the box also features a large image of the Japanese actor, Ken Watanabe. He is best known to English-speaking audiences from appearances in such movies as Inception, Letters from Iwo Jima and Batman Begins. Here however, he stars as the lead scientist in the release Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home, released earlier this year.

Long voyage home
The movie is a dramatization of the Hayabusa mission, following the seven-year flight of the probe to the distant asteroid 25143 Itokawa, and its sample-return trip back to Earth. Japan is rightfully proud of the probe, and the mission has spawned at least three Japanese films: one documentary and two features. However, the only real kit-movie connection is the box design, plus a postcard slipped inside!

Sample kits courtesy Hobby Link Japan.

SMN Note
If you like LEGO, here are pictures and instructions on how to build a blocky-look Hayabusa.

Aoshima Hayabusa Muses-C available here, as well as heaps of other Aoshima stuff including (drool) a rather pricey but fascinating diecast Zero-X spacecraft, as seen in Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.

MODEL MONSTERS HELP CREATE ‘THE REAL LOCH NESS MONSTER’ eBOOK

MONSTER REPORT
I journeyed to Scotland recently with a team to investigate a famous legend, Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. We explored all around Loch Ness, visited the tourist sites, went to the museums, cruised out on the water, and theorised late into the night.

We came to some fascinating conclusions, which you can read about in The REAL Loch Ness Monster available from Amazon, Apple, and other online eStores. And there is a model connection with the book too.

Models in the book
What about the models for The REAL Loch Ness Monster? We used several different sorts for reconstructions in the book, not only for Nessie, but also for related images, such as a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur, shown in the book as it might have appeared a split second before annihilation from the mega-explosion of a giant meteorite.

Papo and Photoshop
The model dinosaur we chose was a realistic creature from the French figure company Papo, which was shot in closeup against a plain background with a Panasonic FZ150 camera, then combined with an explosive image created in Photoshop. Once the Photoshop layers were finished and exported in usable format, the result was a picture of the giant dinosaur, shown moments before extinction. As for the picture below, was it real, a reconstruction, or something else entirely? The answers are all in the eBook!

More about the eBook
The REAL Loch Ness Monster is stuffed with facts, and in 2013 there'll be a competition involved to win a treasure, the one-of-a-kind handcrafted ‘Silver Ness’ ingot and pendant.

TRLNM is packed with information, and makes a good read for anyone interested in weird stuff.

The REAL Loch Ness Monster is on sale here.

The Papo Tyrannosaurus Rex is available here.

Visit Papo and have a look at the online brochure.

‘2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY’ SPACECRAFT KITS FROM AJA MODELS

SMN REPORT

Having reviewed the excellent 2001: The Lost Science, we thought you’d like a look at the model kits AJA Models has on offer. If you have the slightest interest in the classic movie, then AJA could be the place to source your next kit.

The resin products of AJA Models are not exactly cheap, but as you can see from the pictures, they are of fascinating subjects, such as the French weapon satellite (above). 

Weapons and more
All four of 2001’s orbital weapon satellites are available (German and US above) but the kit that particularly tweaks my interest buds is the portly-but-perfect Aries lunar shuttle. It’s a design that was conceived to be a real-space possibility, which is probably why it looks so realistic today, nearly half a century later.

Interior detail kit
The assembled kit looks extremely convincing, and not surprisingly benefits from the careful weathering shown in the photos. The interior kit, which shows off the circular seating arrangement well, is a pleasing additional possibility, though it might be worth assembling it separately, so you get a chance to see the detail properly.

Finished off with some passengers and a miniature version of the space stewardess seen in the movie (below), it would make a fine display piece next to the main Aries model.
   

In the maker's words, “AJAMODELS has made these available through intensive research, patience, and the passion to create.” You can't say better than that...

Summation
Expensive but unique kits - well worth a look for the serious 2001: A Space Odyssey model maker. Look out for future releases, including one of the orbiting Hilton hotel space-wheel .

Kits available from AJA Models here.

Other 2001 kits here.

‘2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY’ IN DETAIL - GREAT DETAIL

MAT IRVINE REPORTS

Ask any film enthusiast, and probably many non-enthusiasts, to name the best science-fiction movie of all time, and you will probably get 9 out of 10 voting for Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. For all those fans - and for space modellers too - comes the new book, 2001: The Lost Science by Adam K. Johnson.

About the book

Adam Johnson - also the driving force behind specialist model outfit AJA Models - has compiled and written the most detailed reference book on the movie so far, full title 2001: The Lost Science - the Frederick I. Ordway III Collection. With much material supplied by Dr Fred Ordway (more on him below), a great deal of the content has never been published before. Its 112 pages are full of detailed original plans (of which there were originally 2,400!), many of them painstakingly digitally enhanced, as the original blueprints have long-since faded. Examples of the ‘before’ and ‘after’ process are shown in the introduction.

Other 2001 books
Considering 2001’s reputation, there has not been all that much produced on the movie in general, let alone technical specifics, certainly nothing compared to the oceans of material on Star Wars, Star Trek, or even Doctor Who. Science writer Piers Bizony covered the ‘making of’ in his excellent book Filming the Future, Jerome Agel compiled The Making of Kubrick’s 2001, while Arthur C. Clarke came up with The Lost Worlds of 2001, though this was primarily about alternate storylines. So 2001: The Lost Science is an important addition to the genre, and is gaining great reviews.

Details of the spheroid Aries moonship (right) and photographs (left) from the movie set, many not previously published.

About the movie

The immense care taken with 2001’s technical details were mostly down to the Producer-Director Stanley Kubrick. Besides co-operating on the writing side with the famed author Arthur C. Clarke, he also involved two respected space engineers, Harry Lange and Frederick I. Ordway III. Both Harry and Fred had worked with NASA and various aerospace companies, and their task was to put elements of the Kubrick-Clarke script into visual form. Even if you didn’t understand the ending - frankly, many didn’t then and still don’t now - the movie looked stunning from start to finish, and paid ultimate attention to detail, especially where the hardware was concerned. 

Details of the Orion spaceplane, a classic shuttle-type design that remains one of the best-looking movie spacecraft ever seen on screen.

Soft-sell hardware

The nice thing about seeing 2001 is that the hardware is mostly ‘just there’, no real play is made of it. The Orion spaceliner, Aries lunar shuttle, Moonbus - each gets a few minutes at most, and as the movie segues into the ‘modern era’ after the apes, a quartet of orbital weapon platforms occupy only a few seconds. 

These pages detail the orbital weapon platforms seen briefly in the movie. They were really there as props for the movie’s sketched-in political background of great international tension. 

Kits and more kits

Besides well-known 2001 kits from Airfix, Aurora, and Moebius Models, Adam Johnson’s AJA Models produces highly-detailed resin models, including those orbital weapons, the Aries lunar shuttle, even a booster set for the Orion spaceplane. We’ll be looking at these in a separate article. 

Dr Fred Ordway, photographed in 2008 in Washington, DC, outside the Cosmos Club, a social watering hole for people distinguished in science, literature and the arts.

Summation

2001: The Lost Science is not a cheap buy at $49.95 USD (£31.14 GBP) but if you have even a passing interest in this classic science-fiction movie, it makes a fascinating read. If you are a keen space modeller, then the book turns into a must-have - the level of detail revealed in the pages makes it possible, perhaps for the first time, to make a truly accurate scale model. 

Harry Lange, photographed in 1992 at the special celebrations for Arthur C. Clarke held in Minehead, UK. He is holding the space helmet worn in the movie by Keir Dullea, playing the role of Dave Bowman. Harry sadly died in May 2008. 

Buy 2001: The Lost Science direct from the publisher, Apogee Prime, and also receive a 2001 documentary DVD.

Also available from AJA Models here.

2001 kits available from Amazon here.

KIT HISTORY FOR SALE ON NOVEMBER 6, AT VECTIS AIRFIX ARCHIVE AUCTION

 

DAVID JEFFERIS REPORTS

On November 6, Vectis Auctions, the world's largest toy auction house, will hold an auction featuring an impressive collection of Airfix kits. And that’s not all, for the sale includes the magnificent Roy Cross box art ‘Bomb the Tirpitz’ shown here, reckoned to be in with a chance to fetch between £9500-£15,000 GBP ($15-24,000 USD).

The painting shows an attack by British Fairey Barracuda dive bombers on the German pocket battleship Tirpitz, in 1944. The artwork is close to my heart, as many years ago I had possession of it for a while as reference for a book I was working on. Like a good boy, I returned it safe and sound, but would have loved to have framed it for the wall! My advice to anyone who’s interested is this - whatever you pay, it’s worth the money for a gorgeous piece of art, signed by master artist Roy Cross.

Vectis has this to say

“Airfix Original Artwork, comprising: Gouache Painting for the box top of the 1968 release: 1/600th Scale German Battleship Tirpitz by Airfix Master Marine Artist Roy Cross. The image measures 27" x 15" (the largest Roy Cross Artwork ever sold by Vectis) on Artist’s Fine Surface Art Board and depicts the Tirpitz under attack on April 3, 1944 (Operation Tungsten) by Carrier Launched Barracuda Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. Presented as a leaving gift to a member of the Airfix Art Department it has been kept in a secure art folder since, the image therefore is as bright and vibrant as the day it was finished. Acknowledged by Cross himself to be one of his finest works commissioned by Airfix. An Iconic image in Mint condition. Superb.” 

Absolutely right, Vectis. I envy the buyer.

A brace of Spitfires

Another winner for the nostalgic kit-builder is the reissue above. Vectis says, “Airfix - Spitfire ‘BTK’, comprising: a limited edition re-release (1990s) of the 1953 kit that originally launched Airfix’s 1/72nd Scale Aircraft Series. Moulded in Blue Plastic and contained in a sealed (facsimile) Header Carded Polythene Bag. Mint overall. Estimate: £25-£50 GBP ($40-80 USD).

Spitfire Mk IX

And here’s another Spit, though this is no reissue. Vectis says, “Airfix - Spitfire IX, comprising: First Issue, 1955 release 1/72nd scale Spitfire. The only Aircraft kit from four released in 1955. Mint, contained in a near Mint (sealed Type 2) Header Carded Polythene Bag. Estimate: £35-£70 GBP ($56-112 USD).

Big bomber - my Christmas fave

The Avro Lancaster was the first really big Airfix kit, and I recall as a boy being given one for Christmas. What my parents didn’t know was that I spotted the box on top of a cupboard a week beforehand, and sneaked up for a few minutes a day to drool over the biggest model aircraft I’d ever seen. After Xmas Pud was gobbled down on the Big Day, it was poly cement and construction time for me.

Vectis says

“Airfix - Avro Lancaster, comprising: Second Issue, 1959 1/72nd scale Avro Lancaster Bomber. Mint, contained in a near Mint (Type 2 - 1959/63 “Vertical Stripe”) illustrated set box. Extremely Rare to find complete and in this condition. Estimate: £60-£120 GBP ($96-192 USD).

1:600 scale HMS Daring

Another of my boyhood buys, though 1:600 was a bit too small to be satisfying, as I really really wanted to sail the thing on the open sea. I tried launching on the local pond, but the ship turned turtle and sank within seconds. Vectis says, “Airfix - H.M.S. Daring, comprising: First Issue, 1961 1/600 scale Royal Navy Destroyer - H.M.S. Daring. Mint, contained in a near Mint (Type 2 - 1959/63 “Vertical Stripe”) illustrated set box. Extremely Rare to find complete and in this condition. Estimate: £35-£70 GBP ($56-112 USD).

Summation

Fantastic stuff on offer at this Vectis sale, and a chance for the avid collector to gain a piece of Airfix history. The items we’ve shown here are just a few of the 60-plus lots on offer. You don’t even have to be at the sale either, as it’s all available online. Brilliant!

Visit the Vectis Airfix Archive auction here.

New Airfix kits by the gazillion here.

Pictures courtesy Vectis Auctions.

LEGO FELIX BAUMGARTNER MAKES A JUMP

Well, it just had to happen - a LEGO replay of Felix Baumgartner's supersonic high jump.

We're not quite sure what scale this model is, as estimates of LEGO's manikins range from around 1:30 to 1:40. Whatever, this is a fun piece of video making to promote the Austrian Model Maker's Fair.

Great stuff!



Note that the vid is a cunning viral which seems to have worked. Well, at least it's around the internet and on show here, so top marks to ad agency Ogilvy Vienna, who were responsible for it.

The Modellbau Messe will be held on October 25-28. Here's a link if you want to take a quick look, plus there's a version of the video with 'Space Control' audio.

1:25 SCALE AMT PHANTOM VAN KIT - OR IS IT A VANTOM?

KIT REVIEW BY MAT IRVINE
If any decade turned the van from commercial vehicle to a statement of cool, it was the 1970s. Until then, the humble panel truck was most likely seen carrying building materials, making store deliveries, or toting tools-of-the-trade. But in the 1970s, vans were tricked out with custom paint jobs, sound systems, maybe a kitchenette, even - if you were lucky - a double bed. And now in 2012, comes a Round 2 Models reissue of such a custom creation, the AMT 1:25 scale Ford Econoline Phantom van.

New name
Examine the box-tops to see an obvious change to the new kit, and that’s its name. The 1970s original was called the ‘Vantom’, a play on the words, ‘phantom’ and ‘van’ to impart a suitably spooky character. This time round, it’s called the Phantom, as apparently the name Vantom is being used by Mattel. But the rest of the kit is the same, with options to build it stock or as a mild custom, with spooky decals provided.

Custom options
Most kits of this era were reasonably simple in construction, and this is no different. It includes engine and chassis, interior and bodywork, with custom options really restricted to changes of wheels and seats, and mild treatments to the front grille. Three optional inset windows are supplied, named gemstone, teardrop and freestyle. Here, as with many Round 2 AMT/MPC reissues, windows are supplied in two tints, clear and dark smoke.

Graveyard green
I finished the review kit with most of the custom options, and finished it in a suitably dark ‘graveyard metallic green’, actually a Testors shade. The side panel decals feature a midnight graveyard decal. So it’s not difficult to end up with a variation on a theme of the Ghostbusters ECTO 1, Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, or the Munsters Koach.

In the box
Parts number around the 150 mark, with components moulded in white (a change from the usual light grey) and chrome, with black for the soft tyres. The finished 1:25 scale model measures some 185 mm (7.25 in) in length. Note (below) I sprayed the chassis in a suitable purple custom finish.

Story of the custom van
Early custom vans set the scene for style - the exterior would be painted in far more exotic colours than stock, and adorned with wild graphics. Add wide mag-alloy wheels, with tyres to match and the looks were complete. In the engine compartment, you could hot up the mill (engine) by 100 hp, and you were then in business with an archetypal day van of the ‘stylish seventies.’ In this kit, the engine compartment has been simplified somewhat, but the basics are all there.

Model companies catch the trend
Model companies were not slow to latch onto this and many kits appeared of the two best-known US vans, the Ford Econoline and the Chevrolet 20. GMC and Dodge also made vans, and kits of all these have been in and out of the model catalogues ever since the 1970s, though most AMT kits have featured Ford and Chevys. Many kits have supplied parts for stock, custom, and even occasionally a racing option. Four of the original US ‘Big Five’ kit companies - AMT, Monogram, MPC, Revell - produced vans in various formats, though oddly, Jo-Han never made one.

Summation
Neat reissue of a classic 1:25 scale kit - a must-build for all van enthusiasts.


Visit AMT at Round 2 models here. Thanks to Round 2 LLC for the review kit.

Plenty of AMT kits here, including a 1:25 scale ECTO-1 from Ghostbusters.