JAMES MAY TOY STORIES BOOK PUBLISHED SHORTLY

The success of the BBC TV series Top Gear is a worldwide phenomenon, but the three presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May also have lives beyond motoring mayhem.

The TV series Toy Stories features presentation by James May, and includes such fascinating events as the creation of the world’s biggest Scalextric circuit, a 16-km (10 mile) stretch of model railway, and the building of a 1:1 scale plastic Spitfire kit, a clip of which is shown in the video above.

May’s relaxed style goes well with the subject and it’s a treat to see toys and models featuring on TV screens - we enjoy a popular hobby that’s been virtually ignored by broadcast media over the years. Toy Stories airs on BBC 2, starting this Tuesday, October 27.

And to go with the series, which was shot over summer 2009, here are a book and a DVD, both definitely worth a look.

Buy the Toy Stories book on offer here.

There’s also a DVD of the series, due out end-November. You can pre-order it here.

AIRFIX 1:24 SCALE MOSQUITO BUZZES CLOSER

Probably the most eagerly awaited 2009 kit is the 1:24 scale de Havilland Mosquito from Airfix. We’ve had tantalizing ‘it’s coming along’ dripfeeds through the year, but now the on-sale date is actually in sight.

Glimpsed in the online newsletter of the Collecting Friends website (founded by Airfix expert and author Arthur Ward) is a nice little pic of TV presenter James May of TV’s Top Gear fame. And there, on top of a Bentley box, is... the Mosquito. And what a clean machine it looks too. Very nice, so pre-orders in now folks - it looks like a winner. IWOOT.


The pictures above show:
1 Factory-fresh Mosquito lineup during World War II.
2 James May (left), Arthur Ward, and the Mosquito.

James May picture courtesy Collecting Friends.

Visit Airfix here.

If you can’t wait to build a Mossie, some other kits and bits to go for are here.

Visit Collecting Friends here.