REVELL MINI COOPER Mk I - NEW TAKE ON THE CLASSIC CAR IN 1:24 SCALE

Fans of classic British cars will love this Mini Cooper Mk I from Revell, a neatly produced 126-part kit.

The Mini didn’t earn its name without a reason, and its tiny proportions are reflected in the bijou dimensions of this kit - when assembled, the Revell Mini Cooper Mk I measures just 127 mm (5 in) from bumper to bumper.

It may be small, but Revell’s kit is nicely formed, with detailed features that include:

* True-to-original bodywork with fine surface details.

* Separate movable bonnet, open or closed.

* Multi-component detailed 4-cylinder engine.

* Separate exhaust assembly.

* Detailed interior with dashboard, front seats and rear bench seat.

* Car can be built in left- or right-hand drive versions.

* Wheels rotate.

* Optional radiators for two versions.

* Chrome parts include wheel caps, door handles, grille, lamp surrounds.

* Imitation rubber wheels.

* Decals with different markings.


About the real thing
In 1956, Greek-British designer Alec Issigonis was commissioned to develop a minimum-size car, with room for a family of four, with their luggage. He used a transverse front engine with the gearbox located underneath, a revolutionary space-saving concept, which meant that, together with its efficient boxy shape, the Mini packed an awful lot into a tiny space.

Thousands built
The standard car was hugely successful, and this sports version was developed with racer and engine-tuner, John Cooper. In all, some 83,000 Mk 1s were built.

Summation
A neat kit of a British classic, and an essential purchase for the 1:24 scale model fan with a thing for Minis; even more so for comparison purposes if you have one or models of the current BMW Mini. It’s a different beast of course, but the look and flavour echo much of the original’s unique style.

The Revell 1:24 scale Mini Cooper Mk I should be available shortly. Meatime, assorted Minis are available here or via the SMN Store.

Not forgetting...
The Tamiya Mini Cooper to the same scale. It's an oldie but goldie, assembling to make very nice model of the later, 1275 cc version.

2012 INCOMING - FUJIMI ULTIMATE BOMBER, SLEEK SPORTSTER, ROYAL ROLLS

SMN update:

Fujimi of Japan has some fascinating stuff heading our way, including this 1:144 scale model of a ‘what-if’ design, Japan’s ‘ultimate’ World War II heavy bomber, the Nakajima G10N Fugaku (Mt Fuji) designed with the power and range to attack the US West Coast. It’s interesting that Fujimi should choose this relatively small scale, as there’s a similar-sized model out there already: the Anigrand Craftwork 111-component resin production.

Choice of propellers

But first let’s look at Fujimi’s upcoming offering. It’s more than a little unusual as kits go, as you get not one, but a set of four Fugaku bombers. The kit is an all-new tooling of the six-engine bomber, and the aircraft are not only pre-painted, but are also partly assembled, too. You have a choice of three-blade contra-rotating propellers or single six-bladed props. 

Big bomber, even at 1:144 scale

There’s more - the bomb bay doors and engine cowling gills can be assembled opened or closed, and the Nagaku can be finished off with the landing gear up or down. When finished for display, the bomber will have a wingspan of 410 mm (16.1 in) and a fuselage length of 350 mm (13.8 in). 

Wow, four bombers incoming!

Now whether you actually want four of these is open to question, but with a wingspan that size, just make sure you have the shelf space for a quartet of them, as Fujimi supplies a four-pack boxful. They come pre-painted in different finishes - silver, green, green-brown, and green-grey. We think (but are not sure at the time of writing) that you may be able to buy the aircraft singly, but will have to accept a random marking scheme as part of the deal.

Anigrand resin option

Either way, a very interesting production that deserves to succeed. If you want something more challenging, then there’s the Anigrand resin version (above) to think about. This is fun actually, as Anigrand has the nice habit of including surprise ‘Easter eggs’ with their kits - and this one includes not only the Nakajima Fugaku, but also three ‘secret’ aircraft, representing other projects from the same war years. We’re not sure what they are - anybody with ideas? 

Bomber background

Development work on the Nakajima G10N didn’t start until 1943, which was a major mistake, akin to the last-minute ultimate weapon developments undertaken by Nazi Germany. However, the US capture of Iwo Jima island in February 1944 directly caused the premature cancellation of the bomber. Instead, all possible Japanese manufacturing capacity was devoted to fighter production in a futile attempt to slow Allied air raids. An engine for the Fugaku bomber is on display in Japan, at the Narita Aerospace Museum.

Other neat Fujimi stuff

Here are a couple of automotive items due shortly from Fujimi. The BMW Z4 sports car is a nice machine in real life, and doubtless the same in miniature from Fujimi. It's in GT3 Racing guise, to 1:24 scale. The test shot we show here reveals that Fujimi has carefully modelled the aerodynamic aids sported by the real thing as it roars around the track. Yum - can’t wait!

Rolls-Royce
Away from the performance arena, the 1950 Roll-Royce ceremonial car (note the Japanese royal family emblem) is to 1:43 scale and looks to be a useful collector’s item for anyone after unusual reproductions of this handsome old stager.

Visit Fujimi here.

Fujimi kits available here.

Also available from Hobby Link Japan here.

Visit Anigrand Craftwork here.

BMW ART CARS - JEFF KOONS SUPER-STRIPES CREATION AVAILABLE IN 1:18 SCALE

SMN report:

Here’s something with a wow-factor to add to that lineup of 1:18 scale diecast cars. It’s the latest in a long line of BMW ‘Art Cars’ - art in motion, with designs and paint applied by a host of top-name artists over the years.

Jeff Koons stripes

This latest BMW Art Car is one the best of the breed, a power-stripes design from the hands of US artist Jeff Koons (above) who has worked on an epic speed-meister, the ultra-powerful BMW M3 GT2. Bearing Koons’ unmistakable style, the entire bodyshell is adorned with vivid, streamlined colors against a black background, that (according to BMW’s promo department) gives the viewer: “an impression of motion and speed from every angle.”

Detailed miniature

Copywriter’s hyperbole aside, it’s an interesting car that’s being made available direct from BMW as a 1:18 scale Limited Edition. The metal miniature is fully detailed, with Koons’ contrasting silver interior, plus a decent engine, opening doors and other parts, and refinements that include air ducts, seatbelts and much more.

Protecting the artwork

Protection for the Jeff Koons design comes in the form of a special long-lasting clear varnish. The car comes in a limited edition of 5000, and each one comes in its own display case.

The artist speaks

Jeff Koons is known for his stainless-steel balloon animals and massive flower sculptures, and the car itself is a real racer that competed in the Le Mans 24-hours race in 2010. Koons loves cars, and had this to say: “I always thought it would be an honor to design a BMW Art Car.”  

The first Art Car

Another US artist, Alexander Calder, painted the first BMW Art Car (above), way back in 1975. He was followed by well-known artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and many others. The latest Jeff Koons Art Car adds the seventeenth vehicle to the ever-expanding collection.

Lichtenstein's Art Car above, Warhol vehicle below.

Art Car by David Hockney.

Available direct

The 1:18 scale Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 Art Car is now available from selected BMW dealerships and direct from BMW. However, as of our search today, there only seem to be two Art Cars on the BMW website, neither of which is the Jeff Koons edition, so you might need to lob an email to BMW or enquire at your local Beemer dealership.

Summation

Looks a ‘different’ model for the display shelf, with collectibility thrown in, so if you want one, now’s the time. Visit BMW here.

BMW models by the gazillion here.