Scale Plastic & Rail

1:32 German Light Bomber Seatbelts from MDC

1:32 German Light Bomber Seatbelts
MDC
Catalogue # E32008
Available from MDC for £8.50

With the recent release of the Revell 1:32 Heinkel He 111 adding to the increasing numbers of large Luftwaffe models we can buy, the market is certainly opening up to supply us modellers with aftermarket improvements. One area never to skimp upon is the cockpit, which is a prime area that we like to improve upon and correct. To add to their existing range of 1:32 seatbelt sets, MDC has now released this set, aimed directly at large scale Luftwaffe modellers who tend towards the larger subjects.

Read more: 1:32 German Light Bomber Seatbelts from MDC

1/32 & 1/48 Decals: Captured Eagles vol.1 from Vintage Eagle Publishing

1/32 & 1/48 Decals: Captured Eagles vol.1
Vintage Eagle Publishing
€16.90 / €14.90 from Vintage Eagle Publishing

Introduction
Vintage Eagle Publishing was founded in Switzerland earlier this year by Roger S. Gaemperle with the intention of providing photo books and accompanying decals with an emphasis on previously unpublished photos and high quality research. I had the pleasure of reviewing Vintage Eagle's first book here, which concentrates on Luftwaffe aircraft captured by the Allies as they advanced into Germany and other previously occupied countries. The book is accompanied by decals for some of the aircraft featured in the book, which is the subject of this review.  They come in both 1/48 and 1/32 scales, and are available with the book as a combination, or sold separately.

Read more: 1/32 & 1/48 Decals: Captured Eagles vol.1 from Vintage Eagle Publishing

Camouflage Decals - Bf 109G from MMP

Camouflage Decals  - Bf 109G
Mushroom Model Publications
Folder containing 3sets of decals/stencils plus 3 double sided 'posters' – Decals in 1/72 and 1/48
ISBN 978-83-61421-54-2  UK£9.99

Although this is not what most people would describe as a 'book', it does have an ISBN number. It is a full colour A4 folder with a pocket containing four A4 - glossy one side/semi -gloss on the reverse side – 'posters' and a clear A4 re-sealable plastic envelope containing a Techmod decal sheet with decals in 1/72 and 148 scales.

Read more: Camouflage Decals - Bf 109G from MMP

57th Fighter Group – 'First in the Blue' from Osprey

57th Fighter Group – 'First in the Blue'
Aviation Elite Units 39
Carl Molesworth
Published by Osprey for £11.24
ISBN 978-1-84908-337-9    Paperback    128pp    Illustrated    24.9 x 18.5 x 1.1 cm

Another question to open a review: which US air force unit was the first to deploy in group strength from the deck of an aircraft carrier, first to fight in North Africa, holds the record for the shortest time in a single action to shoot down 50+ enemy aircraft and developed fighter-bomber tactics that are still in use by the USAAF today?

Read more: 57th Fighter Group – 'First in the Blue' from Osprey

More new kit news from Dragon Models

More new kit news from Dragon Models

Dragon Models have been very busy indeed. Days after our last announce comes this, with 3 new kits to feast your eyes upon. As soon as we have more news, or indeed a review sample, we'll publish it here.

Read more: More new kit news from Dragon Models

On Track 2012 Military Model Show

On Track 2012 Military Model Show
Saturday, 25th February 2012
10am - 5pm at The Leas Cliff Hall
Folkestone, Kent  CT20 2DZ
http://www.ontrackshow.co.uk 

We were pleased to announce that, following the success of last year's On Track, we have been asked to run it again in 2012. Last year we billed it as a show run by model builders for model builders, and we intend to do the same again. We have got the firm support of a growing number of traders, and of the MAFVA. Pictures taken last year should give you a flavour of what to expect.

Read more: On Track 2012 Military Model Show

1:35 Leopard 2A6M CDN Mesh and Box sets from Eduard

1:35 Leopard 2A6M CDN Mesh and Boxes
Eduard
Catalogue #'s 36184 and 36183 respectively
Available directly from Eduard for €17,25 each

The good folks at Eduard have sent us two photo etch detail sets for the excellent HobbyBoss Leopard 2A6M CDN kit. Targeting the kits two weakest areas, the focus of these sets are the various meshes and stowage boxes. Let's take a look:

Read more: 1:35 Leopard 2A6M CDN Mesh and Box sets from Eduard

1:48 R-27R/R1, AA-10 Alamo-A from Eduard

1:48 R-27R/R1, AA-10 Alamo-A
Eduard, BRASSIN Range
Catalogue # 648043
Available from Eduard for €11,25

The name AA-10 Alamo is the NATO codename for the Russian made R-27 series of medium range, air to air missiles, built by the Vympel company, based near Moscow. Typically used with MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft, the R-27 is manufactured with three different guidance systems. The R-27T is an infrared homing missile, while the R-27R has semi-active radar homing avionics. The third type is the R-27AE, with active homing radar systems. The R-27 Missile was introduced in 1983 and is also license built in the People's Republic of China. Through export, countries such as North Korea, India, Syria and Poland use them, to name but a few.

Read more: 1:48 R-27R/R1, AA-10 Alamo-A from Eduard

Airfix Club Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3/E-7

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3/E-7
Airfix Club
Catalogue #A82012
Limited Edition Kit, available through Airfix Club membership.

What do Academy, Eduard, Hasegawa, ICM, LF, Pegasus, Planet, Revell, Tamiya, Unimodel and Zvezda have in common? Well, they all produce kits of the iconic Luftwaffe fighter, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 in 1/48 scale and, as you can probably guess, you can obtain virtually every type of the aircraft.

Go onto Hannants website, click on 1/48 scale, type in Bf 109, and you are blessed with 13 pages of kits, decals, engines, wheels, guns, cockpits, canopies – all manner of goodies and virtually every accessory under the sun. Bf 109 fans are certainly well catered for. Kit prices range from £8.99 (Pegasus) to an enormous £86.99 (Planet – a resin kit of the twin fuselaged 'Z').

Read more: Airfix Club Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3/E-7

New kit news from Dragon.

KIT NEWS: 1:35 Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pak 43 Waffenträger
'39 -'45 Series 'Smart Kit'
Catalogue # 6726
Dragon Models 

Dragon Models have just literally announced a new kit, the Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pack 43 Waffenträger in 1:35 scale. No doubt this will be gracing their tables at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in the next days, so as soon as we know any more about this kit, we'll bring you the full detail. Here is the poster for the kit:

Read more: New kit news from Dragon.

New figures from Alpine Miniatures

New 1:35 figures from Alpine Miniatures
January 2012 

Alpine Miniatures have just announced the release of 2 new German panzer crew figures in 1/35:

Read more: New figures from Alpine Miniatures

1/76 Lanchester Armoured Car and BEF AFVs (1) Decals from Dan Taylor Modelworks

1/76 Lanchester Armoured Car and BEF AFVs (1) Decals
Dan Taylor Modelworks
Items Number DTM-T-76021 and DTM-T-76022
Available direct from Dan Taylor Modelworks for £3.50 and £6.95 respectively

Recently, I reviewed a pair of decal sets for a variety of small scale British softskin vehicles and the Matilda II tank from Dan Taylor Modelworks. This was a new manufacturer to the site and I found the sheets interesting and well produced. Now, we have a further 2 sheets, again for early WW2 British vehicles, but this time we have a much different selection of types.

Read more: 1/76 Lanchester Armoured Car and BEF AFVs (1) Decals from Dan Taylor Modelworks