FANTASTIC HAND-BUILT V-12 MOTOR - A SUPERB MINIATURE POWERPLANT THAT WORKS

SMN report:

We’ve always been in awe of the sheer thrill of hearing a big powerplant on full song. Whether it’s the earsplitting roar of a combat jet on full afterburner, or the mighty rumble of a muscle-car V-8, they all hit the spot. 

Amazing model engineering skills

So when we came across this video of a simply stunning piece of model engineering, we thought you’d like to have a look. Uploaded by ‘yesuswilder’, the longish vid is well worth watching all the way through, as it’s a decent piece of movie-making into the bargain.

World’s smallest V-12?

The maker reckons it is perhaps the world’s smallest V-12 engine. The claim may or not be true, but it certainly is tiny, with a displacement of just 12 cc (0.73 cu in), making it some 289 times smaller than, say, the classic Lamborghini V-12 of 1963, the Italian’s firm’s very first such power plant.

Classic Lambo with mighty engine.

Teaching aid

The tiny V-12 is made of stainless steel, aluminium, and bronze, and is used at exhibitions and for teaching engine design. It differs in one big way from the full-size variety however, as it runs on compressed air rather than hydrocarbons. The engine is strictly a one-off, and is not for sale.

Interesting engine kits here.

Lamborghini models here.

Lamborghini 350GT engine pic courtesy ‘dave 7’.

HASEGAWA Ma.K FALKE LIMITED EDITION LASER ANTI-GRAVITY FIGHTER

David Jefferis reports
Science fiction fan alert - here’s a follow-up to the 2009 Hasegawa Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K) Falke release. This one is a limited-edition injection-moulded 1:20 scale sci-fi craft that’s loaded with fine detail, optional decal sets, and various new-tooling features. These include a ventral-location ‘excimer laser gun’, presumably a mega-power version of the ultra-precise lasers used by today’s eye surgeons.

When assembled, the Falke is a good size, measuring 286 mm (11.3 in) long and to a scale that will allow model fans to make dioramas using 1:18 scale diecast cars and equipment. Something like a satin-black model of the futuristic Lamborghini Reventon would make the cut as a diorama partner with the Falke, or maybe even a deeply-modded Batmobile! Hasegawa has included a well detailed cockpit, extra radomes, and a pair of pilots - one in seated ready-to-fly position, the other standing in readiness for a mission. A bunch of service techies would look good - if you’re reading this Hasegawa, let’s have a Ma.K figure set ASAP.

A note on the Ma.K sci-fi universe, which was created by Kow Yokoyama in the 1980s. It's set in the 2800s, with stories revolving around battles between factions aiming to control an Earth recovering from a nuclear conflict - gloomy maybe, but not that unlikely, sad to say.

Pictures courtesy Hasegawa and Hobby Link Japan.

The Hasegawa Ma.K Falke is available from model stores and online suppliers including HLJ here.

Inspect a 1:18 Lamborghini Reventon in gunmetal finish here.