INCOMING - SHORT STIRLING BOMBER TO 1:72 SCALE FROM CORGI

SMN report:

The team at Corgi has worked really hard with this new diecast 1:72 scale model of the Short Stirling World War II British heavy bomber. In fact, one of the UK’s two leading hardcopy diecast mags gives it a top-score 10/10 rating.


Injection vs diecast
From a construction-kit point of view, the Stirling doesn’t rate that high - even today’s metal diecast technology cannot match injection-moulded plastic for fine detail. But move back a bit to arm's length. Then this model could sit next to a kit-built equivalent, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between plastic and metal, all of which earns the Corgi Short Stirling a solid 8.0 rating from SMN. 

What’s in the box?

Out of the box, the Corgi model comes ready for display, with moveable gun turrets, bombs loaded into the multiple bays, and Royal Air Force (RAF) markings in place. It’s a big and heavy bird, this Corgi Stirling. To 1:72 , the wingspan is some 415 mm (16.3 in), and the tall undercarriage accurately gives the high-set flight deck ‘I’m flying but I haven’t left the ground yet’ skyscraper-view look. The pictures here of Corgi’s model are of the development prototype, cast in resin, and production-ready machines are just that bit better finished. 

  

Top Airfix artist

As for kits, the only 1:72 scale release we can think of is the old Airfix offering, which was OK in its time, but could really do with a high-tech revamp. Note the painting of the Short Stirling we show below. It was  created by that maestro of Airfix box-tops, the legendary Roy Cross, who has managed over a lifetime of artistic excellence to inject interest and excitement into every single one of his works.

Thousands built

Corgi’s particular aircraft choice is MacRobert's Reply of Royal Air Force 15 Squadron, a machine paid for by a £25,000 donation from Lady Rachel Workman MacRobert. She named it to commemorate the loss of her three sons, all of whom were killed in action with the RAF. The Stirling itself counts as something of a forgotten bomber - 2383 were built during World War II, but not a single aircraft survives today. The Stirling was the first British four-engine heavy bomber of World War II, being designed from a specification drawn up in 1936, and entering service just five years later, in 1941. Its front-line career lasted only until 1943, after which the Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster began to replace it. 

The Stirling Project

Not everyone is pleased with that ‘forgotten’ status though, and in 1997 a group of enthusiasts launched The Stirling Project (TSP), to preserve components and documentary evidence of the aircraft. Among TSP’s aims are to construct a forward fuselage section, recreating working drawings as they do so. The team has restored a nose-gun turret, now on display in the UK Pathfinder Museum, and six years ago, an RAF Chinook helicopter helped recover Stirling parts from a remote crash site.

It’s pleasing to find that the Corgi Short Stirling team worked closely with The Stirling Project to get this model as accurate as possible

Short Stirling models and books here.

Visit The Stirling Project here.

Visit the Pathfinder Museum here.

2012 INCOMING - GORGEOUS STEAMPUNK KITS FROM FICHTENFOO AND INDUSTRIA MECHANIKA

SMN report:

Boy, there are some enviable kit-producing talents out there, and they are not just working with the mainstream companies, either. US modelmaker and web designer Michael Fichtenmayer is among those talents, and his FichtenFoo and Industria Mechanika websites bring us all manner of science-fiction delights, including this limited-edition model kit of Ralph McQue’s Remora, a sort of anti-gravity floating cargo ship. Orders are being taken now for this very limited release.

Cool designs

A top priority with Industria Mechanika (IM) models is to: “Produce and promote really cool original model designs.” So no Star Wars and Star Trek knockoffs from IM, and in our view, that’s a very good thing indeed. In IM-speak: “Everything seen here is original designs by their original creators. We help modelers turn what might have been a one-off project into original products that everyone can enjoy.”

Promoting originality

Industria Mechanika’s aims are clear: “We take original masters, produce them into top-notch resin kit releases, design print materials, pack, sell and ship worldwide. The artists get a share of the profits and recognition for their works and everyone can get something uniquely cool to build.”

Steampunk Remora

Ian McQue’s Remora is a bullseye shot for any sci-fi model fan who is into the neo-Victorian brand of science-fiction called Steampunk. The ‘parallel universe’ backstory around this kit tells the tale: “ Remora was built in ’73 by J.Dowling & Sons, out of Wearland. An Imp-Class light rigger, it served for 19 years at Crabden Port in Thamesmouth as a cargo loader for the East Island Trading Company. After being sold for scrap, it was purchased and refitted by MacNeil Haulage and put to work as an island hopper, under the command of Captain Jerome Bale, making short-haul provision runs for the mining communities of the Jayamena island cluster. It has a net tonnage of 16 and a lift tonnage of 38. It is powered by a single-turbine Hütter-Schneider Mk.V gravity engine and has a top speed, free-floating, of 27 knots.” To which the SMN crew can add just one word: “Wow!”

Scale matches military model kits

The Remora is to military-standard 1:35 scale, making it ideal for dioramas, or for including in scenes with other sci-fi models such as those from the Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K ) stuff we like so much. The Remora kit has 62 resin components, six of them moulded as transparencies. 

In charge of the ship

There’s a seated figure of the ship’s Captain, with a scurvy crew due for sale separately soon. Fine detail and markings are taken care of with a photo-etch fret and waterslide decals. The Remora is a multi-material kit, with various parts supplied in metal rod, rigging string, and coated wire form. Industria Mechanika has also supplied full-colour instruction details. This second-edition Remora kit is limited to just 45 for public sale, so order online now if you like the idea of an anti-gravity airboat in your life.

There’s more...

Further editions of the Remora will follow when this run is finished, but there are more delights when you go along to Industria Mechanika. They include the tasty ‘FichtenFoo’s Fantastical Fish-shaped Submersible’ (F4S2), a nice design which echoes something of the flavour of Gerry Anderson’s 1960s TV series ‘Stingray’. And of course, the F4S2 makes a cool undersea match for those Disney-inspired Jules Verne Nautilus submarines out there.

...and more

Keep watch for the upcoming Orbship, an original design by the super-talented Scott Robertson. As planned, it’ll likely be a 1:48 scale kit, which opens up all sorts of hugely interesting possibilities. And if you’ve got a great idea for a model design, whether that’s a figure, a robot, vehicle or spacecraft, if it’s considered to be something that people will want to build, then Industria Mechanika can work to get your original design into production and on sale to sci-fi modelmakers around the world. How cool is that?!

Visit FichtenFoo here.

Visit Industria Mechanika here.

Maschinen Krieger future combat trooper kit available here.

Another view of the F4S2 (above), with a four-view of the Captain, and also some special-issue plant life (below).

2012 KITBASH - FRENCH SNAIL AVAILABLE FOR STREET ROD CUSTOMIZING

SMN weekender:

We ran a recent story on models of that odd-looking creation, the Citroen 2CV ‘tin snail’, and included an idea from Yasi Design for a custom version. The excellent 1:24 scale Revell kit (above) would make a good starting point. Since then, we’ve come across the 2CV art of a Photoshopper with the online name ‘Olli’. If you're into Citroen models, his work could inspire that next workbench creation. 

Citroens from Olli

Olli’s works are really neat, and if you use them as idea-starters, then we’re sure he’d be pleased. There are other French cars on the site too, including the voluptuously-odd Citroen Dyane, and the retro-futuristic DS19 and 21. Now if only Citroen would bring us a sleeked-up Century 21 version of the 'De-Ess', this writer would be a Cit-boy overnight. 

Street rod

If you think there’s no point modelling a custom Citroen 2CV as no one makes them for real, then it’s time to think again. ‘Blackjack’ is a member of the UK National Street Rod Association (NSRA) and - guess what? - he ran across an amazing French deco-meets-steampunk 2CV hot rod in the metal, and has pix of the creation on the back of a truck to prove it.

It’s real all right

In Blackjack’s words: “To all those who said a 2CV could never be a hot rod - take a look at this incredible car.” He adds: “The cool helmet rear mudguards are made from two rear wings” and: “Looks like it runs stock suspension and engine. I gotta build one.” Good luck Blackjack, and for us modelmakers, it’s a breath of fresh air seeing something weird like this, using source material from what must be one of the most basic automobiles ever made.

2CV models in India

To those of us who have grown up thinking of India and its peoples as being poverty-stricken foreign-aid baskets, it’s great to realise that times have changed, and that the sub-continent is now powering ahead with its own fast-expanding air, space, and auto industries. And matching the last item are websites like Team-BHP that reflect increasing passions in India for hot cars with names like Lamborghini and Ferrari. But Indian car enthusiasts haven’t forgotten the humble Citroen 2CV either - the lineup of models in various scales (below) is on a Team-BHP forum. 

SMN Citroen 2CV articles here and here.

Olli’s artwork here.

Blackjack’s 2CV street rod pix here.

Citroen ready-built car from OttOmobile here.

Citroen 2CV models to build here - there’s no shortage of choice, so pick the one you fancy.

Yasi Design here.

Team-BHP here.

There's more:

Here's a slideshow of custom 2CV concepts - just choose and create your own!

Last but not least, the 2CV (below) is a very neatly produced 1:32 scale SCX slot racer - detailed and attractive, and a fine platform to detail-up for your own take on a track-day racer. Have a look at the SCX range here.

LITTLE AND LARGE SCALE MODELS FROM TAMIYA

SMN report:

We mentioned the 1:350 scale Yamato battleship last week, and now comes the question: “What about the crew?” The real thing needed nearly 2500 (yes, two-and-a-half thousand) crewmen to keep her in fighting trim, so it’s a matter of choice whether you display a ghost ship, or one that’s ready to steam in open water, mission to face the enemy. Tamiya has a solution for the latter choice - miniature crewmen made to the same 1:350 scale.

Miniature crewmen to 1:350 scale

And boy, are they tiny! Each one is barely 5 mm (0.2 in) high, which - if we’re being honest - does rather preclude any chance of facial features showing up in the sculpting process. Even with digital technology, you won’t be able to recognize the ship’s captain. 

All crew on deck!

Still, it’s the art of the possible that counts, and with these crew figures, Tamiya has struck gold for anyone who wishes to show the Yamato - or any 1:350 scale warship for that matter - with visible crew on decks. 

French fighter to 1:48 scale

So far as World War II fighter planes are concerned, we’ve had Mustangs by the score, Spitfires by the dozen, but what about the French aircraft industry? Well, sad to say, the snail-eaters have had a bad time so far as the international model companies are concerned. Apart from models from the home player Heller, French machines have been all but ignored down the years.

Plane, car, figures - all included

So it’s a huge pleasure to see Tamiya bringing us an extremely handsome kit of the dainty Dewoitine D.520 single-seater, to 1:48 scale, giving it a wingspan of 213 mm (8.4 in). The kit itself is not new, so what’s the story this time? Well, it’s a good one, as Tamiya has decided to team the D.520 with three figures and a Citroen staff car. This group makes a neat set, with a seated and standing pilot figure included, plus an officer, and decals for three different aircraft. The car is the classic ‘Traction Avant’, used throughout the war years, and afterwards being the steed of the fictional 1960s-era French detective Jules Maigret, and also of the not-so-fictional Peter Mackertich, an ace UK photographer who has driven around in various Citroens for many years. Deeply retro, deeply cool Pete!

   

British biker to 1:35 scale

Lastly, we come to military 1:35 scale and the very neat World War II BSA bike with despatch rider. Tamiya has included an MP with this kit, plus a signpost showing various French destinations. The sculpting of the figures is nicely done - better than in fact than the photo of the finished model might reveal. 

Painting issues

As painted, the neatly-made British biker looks as if he’s suffering from the world’s worst hangover, or maybe a bad case of shell-shock - which may be the case, of course. No issues on the model front apart from that though - the bike has decent engine and suspension detail, decals are included of insignia and unit markings, and the road signs are in the box, too. The bike is 61 mm (2.4 in) long when assembled. 

Dewoitine D.520 available here.

1:350 scale crewmen here.

Tamiya BSA bike diorama set here.

Visit Peter Mackertich here.

There's more...

Here is a trio of Peter Mackertich photos, and very nice they are too, especially the one showing those slinky long legs...

SUMMER SHOW FOR YOUR DIARY - WINGS & WHEELS MODEL SPECTACULAR

SMN preview:

The ‘Wings & Wheels Model Spectacular’ (W&W) will be held this year over the weekend of June 23-24. The radio control (RC) show’s organizers describe it as: “A Modellers’ Paradise." And that’s fair enough, as W&W is reckoned to be the biggest UK event of its kind, and what’s more it’s now 26 years since the first show made its debut at North Weald airfield in Essex, north of London.

Boats, cars, trucks and... Daleks!

Over the last quarter-century, the W&W show has developed into a spectacular event, featuring some of the biggest RC aircraft in the skies over Essex. Wings & Wheels also showcases model boats, cars, trucks, and tanks - plus there’s a mega bring-and-buy sale and more than 70 trading stands selling hobby gear. There’s even a horde of Doctor Who Daleks on parade from a sci-fi build-group. 

Dawn Patrol flying team

This is a World War I flying group that flies dozens of 1:3 scale model aircraft from the Great War era. Dawn Patrol is only a few years old, with a first public display at Wings & Wheels in 2008. There were a dozen or so models in the team then, but at the last count that number has just about tripled, so we can expect some pretty amazing displays, hopefully including some of the melee-style mass air combats of the later war years.

Legendary Len

Another visitor to the display team roster will be modelmaker Len Mount, who’s been leading-edge in RC model helicopter flying for nearly four decades. With more than 20 helo championship titles under his belt, Len's experience of all things rotary is second to none, and he was in high demand for technical challenges such as mounting model helicopter sequences in the 1995 James Bond movie GoldenEye, and again with the 1999 box office hit The World is Not Enough.

Sponsored by Red Bull

A trademark Len Mount feature is attention to working detail - doors, hatches, lights and other moving features - all are are faithfully reproduced in his models. That detail impresses more than us modelmakers, as energy drink maker Red Bull is currently backing Len. Naturally enough, the MBB Bo 105 model helo is finished in the familiar red-and-blue Red Bull colour scheme. Mind you, Len’s Lego-style Sea King has the  bright yellow markings of the real thing, as seen in Royal Air Force markings.

Diary date

If you’re in reach of the Wings & Wheels North Wield airfield, then keep the diary open, as the 2012 show promises to be better than ever. Excellent stuff, and we’ll bring you updates nearer the time.

Visit Wings & Wheels Model Spectacular here.

Dawn Patrol here.

Len Mount here

RC trucks here.

RC tanks here, though feel free to ignore Thomas the Tank Engine, who managed to sneak into the page!

Other RC stuff here.

There's more:
Here's some of the action promised by the show - trucks and diggers, tank-buster in action, and a vast array of visitors' cars, parked at the end of North Wield's main runway!

Pictures courtesy the show organizers.