Tuesday, December 27

Review - J's Work 1/35 WWII German Supplies Carton +1/48 Medical Boxes

PhotobucketThe Americans had their “C” rations – the Empire soldiers their “bully beef on cans, the Germans had their own much loved – and much maligned rations as well - J’s work from China has sent us some of these small model cardboard containers which were the most common to ship food in during the second world war – complete with markings this set comes on a cardboard sheet - let’s look closer.

Sunday, December 25

Review - Masterbox MB 3591 - US checkpoint in Iraq


PhotobucketMasterBox have developed a reputation of creating figure sets that tell a story in a box, they also ‘go with a theme’ the best example of this are the north African themed sets, 3 in total, with a set dedicated to British and German infantry and the third set depicting some intense hand to hand fighting - and  following on from this, MasterBox released a set of Iraqi insurgents (depicting insurgents during the American/British invasion to remove Saddam Hussain) and now we have ‘US checkpoint in Iraq

Sunday, December 4

Decal Review - Vintage Eagle Publishing – Captured Eagles German WWII Aircraft Captured By the Allies in 1/48th and 1/32 scales



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Vintage Eagle Publishing Have hit the ground running with their first publication “Vintage Eagle Publishing – Captured Eagles German WWII Aircraft Captured By the Allies Vol.I” and as well at the same time have brought out a decal set in both 1/48th and 1/32(yay!) scales to match this book release. Vintage have picked four of the best covered pictorially and at the same time a varied and interesting foursome of aircraft to cover in their first decal sheet release.

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Saturday, December 3

Review - Vintage Eagle publishing – Captured Eagles Vol. I.

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A really interesting book and decal set has emerged this month – from new publishing house Vintage Eagle Publications this is a book studying the aircraft that were surrendered to – found or “grabbed” by the allies at the closing stages of the European war against Germany in the west. Is it a book with lots of wrecked aircraft or a tale of secret technology stealing shenanigans or is it? Do you buy the book to compliment the decals or the other way around? Let’s have a look at the book today and see how it fares…

Wednesday, November 30

Review - Kagero miniTopColors no.26 Battle of Britain Part III - Decal and Book set

For the other part of Kagero’s miniTopcolors release this month is the German’s turn – the great aircraft of the Luftwaffe at the part of the Battle of Britain are covered here in reference and decal for – have they run out of ideas on this the third part of the Luftwaffe B.O.B. trilogy?
Let’s have a look!

Sunday, November 27

Review - Kagero - miniTopColors no.27 Polish Spitfires Decal and Book set

Any fans of the movie “Battle of Britain” ( I bet a few who come here) will be big fans of what the RAF and Foreign pilots did to protect  the Allies from being defeated by the Nazi Luftwaffe in World War II
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Chief amongst these were the sixteen squadrons of Polish pilots who fought from their own territory through the Battle of Britain to the invasion of Europe by the Allies and War’s end in that theatre in 1945. Kagero have released a book and decal special to show some of these pilot’s aircraft and hopefully have you making some of these aircraft up with their schemes on your latest spitfire kit - let’s look at the Book/Decal combo in action.
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Saturday, November 26

Review - Combat Chronicles of the Black Widow - Warren E. Thompson


Right about now there are plenty of people really in need of references of the P-61 Black Widow night fighter from Northrop. The Great Wall Hobby kit in 1/48th and the Hobbyboss kit in 1/32 about to rock people’s socks off the need to know as much as they can about this aircraft as fast as possible. I have found just the book to clue you all in…

Friday, November 25

Review - L.Z.Models 1/35 German Bergepanzer 38(t) Hetzer – Late version conversion set.

The people at L.Z. Models bring us something new this month – a conversion for the Dragon or Tamiya kit of the Hetzer 38(t) tank in 1/35. This little tank was converted to a battlefield recovery vehicle and L.Z has sent us a conversion for the late model kit – let’s have a look at it...

Thursday, November 24

Review - Alpine Miniatures - 35129 WW2 Russian Scout Set (2 Figures)

Alpine Miniatures – the benchmark in 1/35 ( and sometimes 1/16th) figure making have come up with something different this months – for those bemoaning the lack of any figures except German WWII soldiers to add to their excellent Italian AFV crew last month this month Alpine brings us two new Soviet scout figures – let’s have a look at them…


Monday, November 21

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part X – Grey Matter Figures with news & the last of the competition winners

Whew! It has been a week and ten parts of galleries since returning from Telford and here is the last in the pictures of wonderful kits from all of the entrants the competition and the special interest groups – it was great to see everything and I hope it’s inspired you all to get model building rather than stash building!
 

Lastly though the final in the special people we said hi to at Telford – this time the specialists in Resin Grey Matter Figures. GMF makes aircraft add-ons and top quality conversions to make improvements to your basic kits and turn them into show stoppers. They had an exciting announcement for the Telford show goers…
The GMF guys ( and ladies) are always nice to speak to at the show!
Grey Matter Figures have taken on the moulds from the talented Mr Jerry Rutman's 1/32 HS 129 full kit and now have to get the decals, brass etc. This kit was good on initial release and GMF have promised to release as many as will sill to the public. If you are after one of these beauties in 1/32 resin please do send an email to them at this email address and you will be given priority with shipping when the kit goes on sale – this is not a commitment to buy just of intent so they know how many to make. Please email mailto:tim@greymatterfigures.com with “HS129 interest” in the title. If you want to get one!
Last of the competition kits with the grand prize winner and some of the best kits form the show in this gallery – back to normal news tomorrow please do enjoy this - the last bunch! Thanks for tuning in to them, back to normal programming tomorrow.

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part IX – BarracudaCals visits and the penultimate gallery of contestants.

Getting ready to hop back into reality but two excellent galleries of show contestants to give you first – these are some of the top prize winners from Telford Scale Model World – I hope you like looking at them as much as I did!
Just before that the good thing about the show is seeing people you never knew but admired their work – one such person was the talented Roy Sutherland from BarracudaCals. Roy makes decals, books and resin parts for converting your great new kit into an even greater kit! His latest releases to compliment the Spitfires and Mustangs released by Tamiya are top selling masterpieces – to check them out just clickety-click on his shop at the link here

Roy’s latest endeavour is his book featuring the history of the P-47 group the 356th fighter group called “Thunderbolts of the HellHawks” – It is a true labour of love for Roy and he promises me  it will be out soon, from what he said when we met at the show it really will be worth a look with mostly never before told stories, pictures and profiles. A good page to bookmark is “Roy’s Rantshis blog in which he keeps you updated as to his product updates and indeed his own work in the modelling industry. To have met people like Roy is a great privilege the show at Telford gives you the ability to achieve
On to the penultimate gallery now – Over 100 more pictures to add to the haul – and most of them in focus! Check out these amazing aircraft  and vehicle models and do drop in tomorrow for the tenth and final part as well - you weren’t doing anything else were you??

Sunday, November 20

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part VIII – Eileen’s Emporium & the Last of the SIG and Model Club aircraft.


Well we are at part eight out of ten of the Telford Scale Model world galleries and I for one am amazed at the great models on show – these are the last of the bunch from the special interest groups and the various model clubs that attended.

Before this gallery I thought I’d introduce you to the girls from Eileen’s Emporium (– neither of these ladies being Eileen herself) This shop is one of those places you wish you had in your town – they sell every type of glue, cutting tool, plastic strip, airbrush, vice, surface preparation, decal solution, paint brush - well you know what I mean – they have everything!
Situated near the Airbrushes.com stand these guys were going gangbusters selling people those little things which the high street model shops just don’t stock – all of the little things you have to get from overseas or some random mail order place they seemed to stock – I am a fan anyway!
This is their homepage if you need a supplier in England especially for your modelling sundries.
Now for the second last of the galleries before regular scheduling of news and reviews resumes Monday.

Saturday, November 19

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part VII – Deluxe Materials and the competition table armour

Part seven – yes seven – of the Telford Galleries brings us the competition tables full of military vehicles and armour to compliment the other armour from the special interest groups and model clubs in part III

Deluxe Materials are often at the shows around the UK – I went in to investigate and it is like going into a wonderland of slick demonstration as the guys there show you how to use their amazing range of products – it all looks too easy as they show you how their special plastic glue runs circles around anything I have tried before – they have three different superglues of different viscosity and a plethora of ways of applying them – special canopy glues – powder filler you simply apply to a gap then solidify with the super thin superglue with the tiny tip – it’s all amazing stuff!
Deluxe have adhesives and solutions for not just plastic scale modelling, they also have solutions for any for your woodwork, R.C. vehicles, Balsa and foam modelling, boat and Railway enthusiasts. Their video page is a wonder to behold to see their products in action. Really this puts my old (I thought pretty neat at the time) Revell Contacta firmly in the corner! From lead weighted tiny balls to non-toxic glue for kids – water soluble putty the list goes on as to what they have in store. Deluxe also do Scenic materials like snow – rust and water, and if at a show they go out of their way to show you how good their stuff is.
Give their page a workout and if you see them at the shows go and have a look – I was amazed at what was there.
OK on to the competition winners and nearly winners now – a great bunch of over 100 pictures again please enjoy – and stay tuned over the next few days for the last parts of the Telford show’s people and plastic on offer..


Friday, November 18

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part VI – Kitsworld Decals & more amazing kits from Special interest Groups

Part six of this special on Telford brings over 90 new pictures of the event from all of the special interest groups attending, mostly aircraft this time there were some amazing models on show that were just as good as some of the competition winners – why they didn’t make the leap to the table I don’t know but there were some amazing works of art in the large rear halls!

While in the rear hall it was nice to see the guys from Kitsworld Decals – They make lots of special sheets for all of the more colourful aircraft out there – these really caught the eye of many of the visitors to the show with sales being good – An English company, Kitsworld  chooses from the massive range of some of the more "less publicised" nose art and makes these the focus of their releases rather than adding all of the markings and data sheets – they give you everything you need to add to the already supplied kit markings to make the model you want to .
 Click on the link here to see the future releases from Kitsworld – From 72nd to 32nd they have modellers covered with already released and some as yet to be released kits in their range. For something different than what you are used to I would have a look at what they have to offer.

The usual suspects...

On to today’s gallery of more than ninety pics of splendidly finished models from the special interest group and modelling club tables – all appealing and finished to a great standard – well be having more of these this week finishing on the weekend with all of the winners from the show – enjoy today’s and all of this week’s pics by selecting below





Thursday, November 17

IPMS Telford Scale Model World 2011 Part V - Progressive Engineering’s products + assorted kits of every kind!

Scale ModelWorld link
 Here we are with the 5th part of the massive haul of pics I took form the Telford Scale Model World over the weekend – there are more to come – in the “regular” categories or aircraft and armour – but today I thought I’d put in all of the kits which aren't as predominant at this show – space and fantasy kits – figures and what ifs – were all just as lovingly made by their makers as any other kit, we thought it a good time to show you some.
Before we do this I thought I would introduce some of you who are unaware to a company called Progressive Engineering from the U.K. The guys there have hit upon a novel idea of making paint stands and work stations nearly made to order – they make a variety of stands which suit many types of model making from smaller set ups for figures to larger for large scale kits - these stands can be adapted to be horizontal and vertical standing, the guys from Progressive certainly have great ideas – and you should check out some of the stuff they have for sale. The have an easy to access shop on "the Ebays" for you here is the link
  I was surprised to see some of the innovations these guys have come up with – Being modellers they have included the handiest of touches that we the buying public want – from extra holes for paintbrushes and thinning receptacles to holes in the rear to push out the tile you are working away on the attention to detail is easy to see, the guys at progressive like a challenge – so just check out their site to see what is on offer or indeed what they can make!
 On now to the real "mixed grille" section of the gallery –  Figures, fantasy and feats of imagination - more to come all week before we return to modelling news and reviews – but enjoy the work of these great modellers today and for the rest of the week.

Wednesday, November 16

Telford IPMS Scale Model World 2011 Pt IV - Pastor John AIMS & Aircraft of the Judging Tables

Scale ModelWorld linkFor the fourth part of the “oww my goodness not more pictures” gallery from Telford Scale Model World 2011 we have lots of assorted aircraft from the Judging tables. We have winners and runners up – commended and runners up to the runners up as well – a bunch of winners all!!


 First of all I’d like to highlight another great supplier from the show from the company called AIMS


AIMS ( Aircraft in Miniature Series) started in February 2003 and have concentrated mainly on Ju 88 projects and their variants. AIMS’s author John McIllmurray has branched out into many other subjects like the sister models of the ’88 like the  larger Ju 188  and soon the Ju 388 to come – to add-ons for the He-111, the Do 24 seaplane and many of the Mistell projects. John is himself a mod...eller (he loves scooters!) and so it is hoped you will see the tell-tale signs of the enthusiast in the various AIMS products available.
 Have a look at a few of his excellent conversions in 1/32 scale and check out his store if you will – lots of amazing great quality stuff therein lie!
Let’s get onto the gallery of 75-odd pics for today - and be sure to keep on coming back every day for more galleries  this week!

Tuesday, November 15

Telford IPMS Scale Model World 2011 Pt III - Great north Roads and Military Modelling from the S.I.G.s

Scale ModelWorld linkWell the third part of the Telford gallery is here and this instalment is all about the special interest groups’ armour kits – we have a bunch of pictures here from some very talented modellers and pretty much what they have been doing for the last few months is evident here!
Also at the show was Simon from Great north Roads – he creates amazing diorama bases from various materials but most notably his best dioramas are in a top quality light and strong dental plaster

Dental plaster is an extremely durable material. It can be drilled, filed and carved with a variety of tools. There is no need to prime the kit before painting. You can use both enamel and acrylic paint on the castings straight out of the box. If these bases DID break – well the good thing is they do not crumble – I have known Simon for a while and all of the show floor dioramas he has here have been travelling around the county for a long long time – so it’s a durable and not to mention high quality diorama alternative to vac form or resin.
This bunker has been around the country many times!! still looks great though.

Simon’s store is on line so check it out for some of the great kits he has to slap under your new tank – here are a few of his bases which would not have looked out of place on the judging tables… After Simon’s work well go straight into the Armour and military from the special interest groups which had amazing work – Competition Military entries will be later this week as well in another gallery( amongst the many i have taken far too many pics!).

Monday, November 14

Telford IPMS Scale Model World 2011 Pt II - Derek from Eclipse Model Designs flies in

Eclipse Model DesignThe second part of our Telford odyssey is here with larger scale aircraft kits to satisfy all of you people with poor eyesight and shakey hands (like myself).

Scale ModelWorld linkBefore the gallery I thought I'd mention amongst the many special people at the show and a notable person In attendance was the owner of Eclipse Model Design Mr Derek Bradshaw. If you need some new Spitfire, P-40 upgrades in 1/32 you could get some excellent parts at his store.
Derek’s Eclipse brand has many aircraft modifications and upgrades on his site for your perusal – the kits Derek seems to improve are of the larger scale in nature (think about a P-61 in 1/32 scale) – so I thought that it’s good to preview some of the larger scale kits I am sure Derek would like!
There were many of the expected Ar-196 floatplanes and twin engined He-111's from Revell as well as the new P-51D mustangs from Tamiya and the Zoukei-Mura Skyraiders on show. There really is a massive market building up for the large scale lovers - I for one am pretty happy about that.

All through this week we will have the winners and the grinners from the show in several parts - so keep tuning in every day for more people, suppliers and kits from the show…

Sunday, November 13

Telford IPMS Scale Model World 2011 Pt I (of many)

Scale ModelWorld linkToday at Scale Model World in Telford we have seen the most remarkable of kits and the judging of some magnificent pieces of work by modellers from not just in the UK but from all over the world -  suppliers from all over the world are here as well - with some surprises like the visit by the owner of WingXL Martin Oude Vrielink to the show!! 1/32nd scale fans of large planes were very excited I can tell you!!

Tomorrow is another day with the judging and awards given -we will be posting up a bunch of pictures every day this week with a story from a different group of interesting people, products and groups we have and will meet form the show - today our special story is of the Classic British Kits SIG or special interest group.

This is an interest group focusing on the plastic model kits from the golden age of the hobby in Britain. Names like Airfix, Frog and Matchbox are synonymous with plastic model kits. Though only Airfix is still going the other's kits are readily available on the second hand market and still re-boxed to this very day by other manufacturers. Classic Brittish Kits SIG (CBK) is also interested in models from the multitude of smaller British manufacturers such as Inpact, Rareplanes etc.

The CBK  guys unashamedly celebrate the nostalgia of our youth and its purpose is to promote the hobby as a fun and relaxing. The CBK regularly displays at models show with a new big display for Scale Model World at Telford every year that brings together the efforts of modellers from all over the world. - this year was no different and there was a bunch of sprecial kits on display showing these classic models each in a diorama that imitated the classic box art of yesteryear they came in. 

Artists like Bill Cross are the inspiration for this group build - click on to see this very interesting bunch of people's work - as well as many of the other special interest groups we captured today.

More SIGs and kit of the year contestants and winners over the next week - keep checking back every day for more of Scale Model World 2011 all this week.