RossM
Active Member
I thought I would start a new series of posts highlighting some of the kits announced over the previous week. This will not be an exhaustive list as there is too much being released now for anyone to keep up to date with realistically. Indeed, what I do show here really reflects my interests in modelling so expect to see updates on, for example, First World War models and early Cold War aircraft.
D-Day Miniature Studio
D-Day Miniature Studio has announced the release of a ‘WWI Belgian dog-drawn cart with crew, 1914-1915.’ This is a 1/35 kit sculpted by Pawel Krasicki. I have not bought one of their kits, but I am very tempted by this one.
LukGraph
At the recent Moson Show, LukGraph announced the release of a Jeffrey Quad four-wheel drive truck. It is good to see some trucks released especially those from the First World War as they have a fascinating look and feel to them. Again, LukGraph is a company that I have never bought from, and indeed had not heard of before this release, though that is more due to my time away from the hobby than anything else.
Roden
Roden has announced a Holt 75 artillery tractor, and there are some sprue shots on their website. A scratch-built version of this tractor won Best of Show at Euro Militaire back in the late 1990s. It was an impressive piece of modelling, and it is great to see one being released.
Model Cellar and Copper State Models
It may seem strange that I have put these two together; however, this is for a good reason. Both companies have announced a new release of the First World War Ace Raoul Lufbery. The Model Cellar figure has been sculpted by Mike Good while Andrey Blyoski designed the Copper State Models kit. I must admit I am a huge fan of Mike Good’s work and have been for a long time, but it will be interesting to see how these two figures compare. Just looking at the pictures, they both look to be well sculpted and excellent representations of Lufbery. Mike Butler painted up the Copper State Models version to his usual high-standards as shown below. Again, while I have done a couple of Model Cellar figures, I have not painted a Copper State Model kit. However, looking at their range I am tempted by a couple of figures that might go well with the Whippet tank that is currently on its way to me as I write this.
Elan13
Robert Lane has just released a Second World War RAF pilot that has been painted up by Edward Sage. Sculpted to Rob’s usually high-standards this would look good against an RAF 1/32 aircraft or on its own. I like Rob’s sculpting, and we share and interest in pilot figures, so it is always good to see another release from him.
Kitty Hawk
Ok, time for some aircraft and I do like the look of this release from Kitty Hawk. It is a 1/48 F-101B Voodoo. This is the second version of this aircraft that the company has released, and I have read a few comments that suggest that there were some issues with the first. I hope they have sorted out those issues in this release as the Voodoo is an impressive looking aircraft and the version on the box look interesting.
Airfix
Ah, a company that I was brought up on. It has been great to follow the resurgence of Airfix over the past few years. Some up-to-date news on their workbench site has given some updates on forthcoming kits including the 1/48 Hawker Hunter F.6, the 1/72 De Havilland Vampire T.11/J-28C, and the 1/72 English Electric Lightning F6. I must admit that I like the look of the Swedish markings to be included in the Vampire kit. I consider the Hunter to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft ever designed and once had the 1/32 Revell kit but ended up selling it. As such, it will be interesting to see this one once it is finally released.
There is, however, one final announcement of upcoming releases. At the recent Scale Models Expo in Wellington, New Zealand, Wingnut Wings announced some ‘in-development’ models. In short, these are re-released aircraft that will come with an ace figure that has been sculpted by Mike Good. So far it seems we will see the following kits: Albatros D.V “Manfred von Richthofen”; Fokker E.II “Max Immelmann”; AMC DH.2 “Lanoe Hawker”; and Sopwith Triplane “Raymond Collishaw”. These releases reminds me of the series of busts that Mike Good sculpted that came with Dragon 1/48 aircraft kits many years ago. I do hope the figures are released individually as well as with the aircraft as I like the look of the Collishaw piece.
Ok, well that is about it from me this week. As you can see this is an eclectic lot and represents my interests. I have to admit that while I have not done much modelling over the past few years, I have tried to keep up to date with releases, and apart from the resurgence of Airfix, perhaps the one exciting trend that I have watched with interest is the emergence of First World War kits into the mainstream. This is good as the modelling world needs some diversity as you can only have so many boring panzers (sorry, my opinion).
Header Image: A McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo from No. 409 ‘Nighthawk’ Squadron, RCAF, on the ramp at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw in the spring of 1982. (Source: Wikimedia)
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D-Day Miniature Studio
D-Day Miniature Studio has announced the release of a ‘WWI Belgian dog-drawn cart with crew, 1914-1915.’ This is a 1/35 kit sculpted by Pawel Krasicki. I have not bought one of their kits, but I am very tempted by this one.
LukGraph
At the recent Moson Show, LukGraph announced the release of a Jeffrey Quad four-wheel drive truck. It is good to see some trucks released especially those from the First World War as they have a fascinating look and feel to them. Again, LukGraph is a company that I have never bought from, and indeed had not heard of before this release, though that is more due to my time away from the hobby than anything else.
Roden
Roden has announced a Holt 75 artillery tractor, and there are some sprue shots on their website. A scratch-built version of this tractor won Best of Show at Euro Militaire back in the late 1990s. It was an impressive piece of modelling, and it is great to see one being released.
Model Cellar and Copper State Models
It may seem strange that I have put these two together; however, this is for a good reason. Both companies have announced a new release of the First World War Ace Raoul Lufbery. The Model Cellar figure has been sculpted by Mike Good while Andrey Blyoski designed the Copper State Models kit. I must admit I am a huge fan of Mike Good’s work and have been for a long time, but it will be interesting to see how these two figures compare. Just looking at the pictures, they both look to be well sculpted and excellent representations of Lufbery. Mike Butler painted up the Copper State Models version to his usual high-standards as shown below. Again, while I have done a couple of Model Cellar figures, I have not painted a Copper State Model kit. However, looking at their range I am tempted by a couple of figures that might go well with the Whippet tank that is currently on its way to me as I write this.
Elan13
Robert Lane has just released a Second World War RAF pilot that has been painted up by Edward Sage. Sculpted to Rob’s usually high-standards this would look good against an RAF 1/32 aircraft or on its own. I like Rob’s sculpting, and we share and interest in pilot figures, so it is always good to see another release from him.
Kitty Hawk
Ok, time for some aircraft and I do like the look of this release from Kitty Hawk. It is a 1/48 F-101B Voodoo. This is the second version of this aircraft that the company has released, and I have read a few comments that suggest that there were some issues with the first. I hope they have sorted out those issues in this release as the Voodoo is an impressive looking aircraft and the version on the box look interesting.
Airfix
Ah, a company that I was brought up on. It has been great to follow the resurgence of Airfix over the past few years. Some up-to-date news on their workbench site has given some updates on forthcoming kits including the 1/48 Hawker Hunter F.6, the 1/72 De Havilland Vampire T.11/J-28C, and the 1/72 English Electric Lightning F6. I must admit that I like the look of the Swedish markings to be included in the Vampire kit. I consider the Hunter to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft ever designed and once had the 1/32 Revell kit but ended up selling it. As such, it will be interesting to see this one once it is finally released.
There is, however, one final announcement of upcoming releases. At the recent Scale Models Expo in Wellington, New Zealand, Wingnut Wings announced some ‘in-development’ models. In short, these are re-released aircraft that will come with an ace figure that has been sculpted by Mike Good. So far it seems we will see the following kits: Albatros D.V “Manfred von Richthofen”; Fokker E.II “Max Immelmann”; AMC DH.2 “Lanoe Hawker”; and Sopwith Triplane “Raymond Collishaw”. These releases reminds me of the series of busts that Mike Good sculpted that came with Dragon 1/48 aircraft kits many years ago. I do hope the figures are released individually as well as with the aircraft as I like the look of the Collishaw piece.
Ok, well that is about it from me this week. As you can see this is an eclectic lot and represents my interests. I have to admit that while I have not done much modelling over the past few years, I have tried to keep up to date with releases, and apart from the resurgence of Airfix, perhaps the one exciting trend that I have watched with interest is the emergence of First World War kits into the mainstream. This is good as the modelling world needs some diversity as you can only have so many boring panzers (sorry, my opinion).
Header Image: A McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo from No. 409 ‘Nighthawk’ Squadron, RCAF, on the ramp at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw in the spring of 1982. (Source: Wikimedia)
Continue reading...
