HD Video demonstrations – update!
Back to the studio in Elstree tomorrow to shoot the final film in this introductory batch… more info soon…
Supporting those that support us…
I just want to ask all of you checking into SMN to please try and support those traders and suppliers who support us by sending us kits and materials to help bring you the latest and most in-depth reviews available anywhere in the world. That’s a bold claim, but it’s true. With an average SMN review being around 30 pages of A4 with many bigger than that, our partners have been superb in seeing what worldwide access our scale modelling magazine can provide.
You will always see an Internet link to our suppliers in all our reviews, so this is a simple request to please try and buy your kits and all manner of other products through clicking on the link in your Here Now, Build Now and Finished Now reviews in SMN. I know many of you go direct to the supplier and trader websites, but please do go from a link in SMN – then they’ll know you came from us and so we will continue to attract the important support all mags need to be successful. Thanks.
Aircraft stuff…
2010 RAF Hawk Display aircraft – on the way…
A great trip to RAF Waddington for their 2010 Air Show yielded some great new stuff. Not least their AIRFRAME package for the Airfix 1:72 Hawk T1 plus stunning resin ejection seats and those awesome Model Alliance decals/masks for the 2010 display aircraft flown by Flt. Lt. Tom Saunders. This had to be purchased and you’ll see from the cover of your SMN that this is on the way shortly to Here Now and then onto Build Now as we build that very nice package.
Xtrakit does it for me!
No, seriously, take a look at my build of the Xtrakit Supermarine Swift FR.Mk.5 in 1:72 scale. I have to say that this is proving much better than I thought it would. Mainly because I’ve been out of that scale for so long – but not anymore, oh no…
The first build update is already live in Build Now, but I have just been finishing off the painting and that’ll be along soon. The panel line detail is stunning – crisp, fine recessed panel lines that look spot on under a coat of enamel paint. The fit too has been superb, making the whole project seriously enjoyable. More please… that Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 is a definite for SMN, just as soon as I can lay my hands on one. Well done Hannants, a great effort and some way overdue subjects in kit form that deserves great support from us.
Thud, thud, thud…. 1:48th scale aircraft!
You can’t keep a good man down and that Italeri 1:48th Chinook has proved too tempting for Les V and so that will be getting underway in the next week or so. This is having some serious brass thrown at it and so will make a great Feature Article. Remember, almost all our reviews are from the box and when we get the opportunity we build another detailed model that incorporates etched brass and accessories – so that you’ll always know what you’re getting. Look at the 1:24th Airfix DH Mosquito FB.Mk.VI and 1:32nd Tamiya Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX by way of example. We’ll be applying this approach to some armour projects too over the coming months, so that’ll be worth seeing.
Weekend Warriors – and aircraft…
Yes, aircraft projects will be added to WW too along with the armour that’s already there. Clearly going to be a popular and growing area of SMN. Don’t forget my challenge to you all as well. Whether you subscribe or not (if now why on earth not! – tongue in cheek…), then send in your project and I will do my best to publish it in WW. Check out my previous editorials for info on how to do that.
Hurri up…!
The Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc will be in Finished Now very soon and also be available in WW – it’s an ideal project to get back into modelling with, or, just as WW promotes – a great subject to build quickly and also end up with a very nice model to be proud of.
Armour – stuff!
Well, you can hardly miss that extraordinary image on this week’s front cover can you… just look at the finished images of Andy A’s superb skill that he’s brought to bear on the 1:35th GWH Schlepper Flak 43. Lots of explanation and some great images in a realistic diorama to be found in the FN article.
You can’t keep a good man down…
Yes, he’s off again, this time with Dragon’s M3 75mm Motor Carriage 1.35 scale. Taking shape quickly and destined for the AA treatment!
Speaking of good men… Bill C. Has added more of his Panzer 35t and when you put that with Steven’s 38t we have some serious German armour on the roll in Build Now – not to be missed. There’s more too of course so do get into that Armour Area.
Maritime – stuff!
The White Ensign Models Abercrombie continues to take shape and having now seen the finished model you are in for a real treat. Les V has done a superb job, really excellent. We’ll keep the updates coming on this one, so expect another pretty soon.
Fletcher Class Destroyer – docking soon…
Yep, this one’s there and so I’ll be getting the third and final update into SMN just as soon as I can. Hopefully next week should see her dock and yet more great weathering and detailing techniques on offer there. Speaking of which…
Techniques Bank grows again…
Only today another entry in here and this week will see two entries going in there:
Weathering – Filters for weathering aircraft
Weathering – adding paint chips and scuffs
Some good step-by step ‘How-to’ stuff here that should help you to get that authentic weathered look to your paint chips and scuffs. This is a key modelling skills and can really bring your models to life, so check those out…
Photo Reference Library (PRL) grows again…
Set 27 has been added:
Eurofighter Typhoon F2 – complete walk around with great internal cockpit images and that all important detail behind the bang seat, plus wheel wells, upper fuselage and lots more areas of interest. Who says there are no rivets on the Typhoon? And all that scuffing on the fuselage sides – check it out in your PRL.
Right! That’s it, back to the bench, I hear that Swift calling me…
Until next time everyone…
Geoff C, Editor, SMN
