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TopGun Model is to release a 1/48th PZL-Swidnik W-3RM Anaconda helicopter resin kit Source: https://www.facebook.com/TopGunModel/photos_stream V.P.

Another Polish aircraft 1/48th resin kit is announced by TopGun Model: a PZL TS-8 Bies. Source: https://www.facebook.com/TopGunModel V.P.

Prop&Jet is to release a 1/72nd Bartini Stal-6 resin kit. The model prototype is in progress. Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.607992865955711.1073741855.475396205882045&type=3 V.P.

Lightning T.5, 226 OCU / 145 Sqn RAF Coltishall, 1968 Well this was a very different experience from building the new Airfix Lightning. It’s the Whirlykits resin T5 – wanted to get it finished before the Sword kit appears or it would have stayed in the box forever. Actually it’s not a bad kit at all. Quite usable cockpit interior, deep air intake with visible engine compressor face, good exhausts, and white metal undercarriage (very necessary – it weighs a ton). Weak points were the vac-formed canopy (too thin and framing too heavy), the tailplane (mine was so thin that I didn’t use it and scratched some replacements from plasticard) and the inevitable warping of parts (but to be fair it all straightened out with hot water treatment). Finish is my usual Alclad Polished Aluminium over polished Halfords Grey Primer, panels sprayed in silver-grey and light grey, panel lines emphasised with a pencil, and several brushed coats of Klear. I had a spare decal sheet from an Airfix F.2A which was really helpful for roundels, walkway lines, stencils, etc. Squadron marks were from Model Alliance (nose bars), and a combination of Xtradecal and Modeldecals for the fin badge.

F4U-1 Corsair Engine Set Brassin 1:32 Engine Set (632032) It seems that now Brassin have just about done every conceivable upgrade for the Revell 1:32 Me109 they now have time to turn their attention to the Tamiya 1:32 Corsair, with the release of this engine set. As with the majority of larger Brassin sets, this one comes in a cardboard box inside of which are four bags of resin parts, with five of the larger resin parts loose and one sheets of etched brass/nickel. These are all very well protected by blocks of foam. The large instruction sheet is very well laid out clear, and certainly a big improvement on the standard instruction sheets. A lot of the parts are very fragile and care will be needed when removing them from the moulding blocks. The larger parts look pretty easy to remove and clean up as they are only attached to the moulding block on one edge. The detail on the completed engine is such that it could easily be assembled and displayed as a model in its own right, although a scratch built engine stand will be required. There are 81 resin parts, in a mixture of medium and dark greys. The detail on the resin parts is pin sharp, and with a good depth, which a dark wash will help bring out. The eighteen individual cylinders, nine for each bank, are attached to what I guess could be called the engine block ensuring that the cylinder fitted to the top centre of the front bank is the correct item. Each cylinder is then fitted with a spark plug on the forward face. The intake manifold is then attached to the rear, making sure that the ends meet the cylinder intakes correctly. The etched wiring harness is then attached from the front and the “leads” fixed each of the spark plugs. The fastener ring is then fitted, followed by the reduction gearbox case, which has been moulded with the two magnetos and spark advance unit fitted. In addition to the provided PE, a lot of the other pipework and wiring has to be provided by the modeller, but the instructions give detailed information of the thickness, length and position of each part. Once the wiring is complete the cooling gill part is affixed to the rear of the engine, followed by the exhaust manifolds, the lower two of which need to be sourced from the kit, whilst at the front, the cowling nose section is attached. Finally to display the engine off, the two resin cowling side panels are fitted out with strengthening/ fastener strips and either left off or attached at the hinge points and a suitable length of rod used to prop them open. As shown in the picture taken from the Eduard store below. Conclusion The Tamiya F-4U Corsair is already an outstanding kit with very few problems or vices that haven’t already been fixed by other aftermarket companies. The kit already has a beautifully detailed engine so I do wonder whether this engine set will sell that well, but I’d imagine Eduard have thought of that. It is a fantastic piece of moulding with an amazing level of detail which as stated above, might be better being shown off in its own right or as part of a diorama. Highly recommended Review sample courtesy of

These look rather nice, the future release list looks rather good too, including cold war German tank crew as well as IDF. https://www.facebook.com/valkyrieminiature Regards Dan

Constanza Kit has just released a 1/72nd Morane Saulnier MS880 Rallye resin kit - ref.CON807203. Source: http://www.aviationmegastore.com/morane-saulnier-ms880-rallye-french-navy-con807203-constanza-kits-con807203-general-aviation-model/product/?shopid=LM5337758e408ee64cfce349d40c&action=prodinfo&parent_id=212&art=120217 Constanza has also edited two dedicated decals sheets: - ref. CON9072005 - Morane Saulnier MS885 Super & MS885 Club (Madagascar AF, D-EMMP) Source: http://www.aviationmegastore.com/morane-saulnier-ms885-super--ms885-club-madagascar-af-d-emmp-con9072005-constanza-kits-con9072005-decals/product/?shopid=LM5337758e408ee64cfce349d40c&action=prodinfo&parent_id=212&art=120218 - ref. CON9072006 - Socata Rallye 100S (French Navy) Source: http://www.aviationmegastore.com/socata-rallye-100s-frenche-navy-con9072006-constanza-kits-con9072006-decals/product/?shopid=LM5337758e408ee64cfce349d40c&action=prodinfo&parent_id=212&art=120219 V.P.

Coleman MB4 Tractor & Towbar 1:48 VideoAviation Manufactured in the 1950s, the American Coleman MB4 was distributed by Coleman Company, who are more well known for BBQ equipment and gas canisters these days. The short tractor was fitted with a Chrysler 230 flathead petrol engine, with an electric clutch and manual transmission, linked to all four wheels, which were all steerable for east manoeuvring. It was capable of pulling up to 10,000 pounds from the pintle-hooks at the front and rear, with a small load or crew carrying area to the rear. Their heyday was the 60s and 70s where they saw service in the US military, but even now some are still in use, although I can't vouch for whether they'll be pulling anything as exciting as a Phantom or SR-71 these days. The Kit This is another resin kit from VideoAviation, who specialise in airfield and aircraft carrier equipment and tractors for use in your dioramas or display. This release is in 1:48, but I understand that a 1:72 version will be forthcoming in due course. The kit arrives in a small white box, with a picture of the kit on the top, and inside there are 48 resin parts in two ziplok bags, decals, pre-cut acetate transparent parts, and a couple of lengths of copper and styrene rod in another bag. The instruction booklet consists of two pages of A4 printed on three sides and stapled together. The casting blocks have been thoughtfully placed, so clean-up shouldn't be too onerous, with some of the large flat parts having been wafer cast with minimal scrap resin to remove as a result. The usual warnings about resin dust apply for this process, and a good clean of the surfaces in warm soapy water would be a good idea to remove any residual mould release agent. The build centres around the ladder chassis, to which the transmission housing is added, and the drive-shafts going to the front and rear axles are dropped into their location sockets. Four leaf-springs are added to more sockets either side of each axle, and then the bodywork is added to the top. The engine cowling is a solid block of resin that slots into the top of the chassis, the cab floor sits astride the central section, with the load carrying area doing the same behind it. The cab floor already has a kick-plate and foot pedals moulded in, but the dash is added above it, plus the steering wheel with its shaft made from the supplied styrene rod, and gear change glued into a hole in the floor. The two crew seats mount onto lugs at the rear of the cab area, and a scrap diagram shows the correct angles of all the parts from the side. The single piece cab is then dropped over the detail, and the running boards with front fenders are added to the sides. The rear fenders are built into the rear area, so adding the wheel hubs and separate tyres completes the main vehicle work. The next job is to build up the tubular upstands that run around the load area, and to form these easily there are two rectangular resin jigs supplied that are clearly marked left and right. Bend the malleable copper wire to shape into the engraved grooves in the jigs, and then cut off the surplus, adding the extra two verticals from 8mm pieces cut from the styrene rod supplied. Everything fits into small holes through the rear part, and clearly some care and delicate handling will be needed to do a good job. Add a tool box to the port fender, headlamps to the front of the cab, and towing shackles to the front and rear finishes the building of the tractor itself. The tractor cab has a comprehensive set of glazing, and this is supplied in a single sheet of thick acetate that is pre-cut for ease. Simply cut the backing sheet to release the parts from their surrounds, and glue them in place with PVA glue or GS-Hypo. Even Klear could be used if the pieces are a good enough fit, but masking them may be a little tricky if unmasking causes them to tear loose. The towing bar parts are in a separate bag from the vehicle parts, and the bar itself is made up from two parts which link together with pin and socket. The V-shaped axle part is added next, and this has a pair of small wheels that facilitate man-handling. The link at the vehicle end is a simple eye that fits to the end of the bar, while at the other end a three-prong linkage with a piece of styrene rod running through it is added, with two attachment arms rotating on the styrene rod, which allows adjustment to accommodate differing widths of nose-gear attachment points. A lifting handle is moulded into the vehicle end, and a winding handle is made up to adjust the height of the wheels for towing and ground handling. markings The instructions tell you to paint the vehicle and the towbar in yellow (FS135538 Gunze H34), although in civilian use this may have changed. Decals are provided for a US Air Force machine, with a Coleman logo on the front of the cowling, plus US AF logos stencilled along the length of the cowling. Over each tyre a stencil for the correct pressure is provided, and the chevron patterns on the front and rear bumpers are also included. Add a little chipping and wear-and-tear to taste. Conclusion Another super little model that shouldn't take you too long to build and paint. These are the things that bring life to a diorama, or add interest to a model sat on a shelf, and with sympathetic painting, it should make your finished model a little out of the ordinary. Remember to check your references to see whether this tug was used with your chosen model, and make sure you hook it up correctly, and you're away! Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Having found out how to upload pictures, I can now display a couple of my builds. Today we have the Accurate Armour Foden 6x6 Recovery Vehicle. As usual with these resin builds, lots of bits break easy, so much time spent scrap building replacements...the hand rail on the body sides was flimsy and just etched brass, so this was replaced with square tube, string for the lifting howser and front winch cable was replaced with wire sold in packs for hanging pictures on. Operating levers for jib all replaced, as was the etch brass window bar protectors by correct diameter brass rod.........bunk in the back has cotton sheets and featherlite pillars as well as 3D TV in the corner which actually receives sky TV......shame you cannot see them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I enjoy building these kits but I do hate painting them......my enjoyment is in the build, the hard work is the painting. I used Xtracrylix XA1814 British Deep Bronze Green, a lot!!!! .....as this was the colour these vehicles were initially issued to the units with. I enjoy applying the decals as you can slowly see the vehicle coming to life.......the fun with this one was there are no decals for this kit so it was lots of research and sourcing decals from other kits, used or unused. I also built the Firing Line AFV432 Engine pack to go with this as I plan a diaroma of the Foden lifting the pack from a 432.......I scratch built the lifting frame and currently I am chopping an Accurate Armour 432 to pieces just to make sure the pack will go in and out............but, sods law, I have cut away engine access bay and the engine is just 2 mil to big, so, thinking cap on at the moment. Hope you enjoy. [/url]">http://

Been on this one a few months now, but the plan is to create the comicbook heroine Red Sonja from this Solarwind Productions fantasy figure: I used apoxie sculpt and green stuff mixed 50/50 to fashion some gloves, stylize her boots and and provide a base for her armoured loin cloth. I also added about an 1/8" to her waste by cutting her in half. Initially this was done to make it easier to clean up her vest top, but decided stretch her torso a bit since she was sawed in half already. ... some closeups of the scratch detailing: A torn ankle weight provided a source for the tiny metal discs: Primed and ready for paint... ----------------------------------------------------- I already had good deal of her skin tones done, but due to paint build up and a few specs of dust imbedded in the paint, I ended up stripping her down back to resin. So decided to take the opportunity to try something different next go around by taking a page from the old masters technique - Verdaccio. http://sockii.squidoo.com/what-is-verdaccio-and-how-to-use-it-in-your-paintings 1.) For the sort of pre-shading step, I kept things simple and just used an existing shade of green, Vallejo Olive Grey 70888. After an overall coat, mixed in some white and sprayed mainly from over head angles. Some further white and another round of spraying. Did hand paint some lighter tones on the face, but not too much as it would be covered later with proper flesh tones. 2.) I had been using Brown Sand 70876 as the base skin colour, which is what is seen here. Close inspection though showed specs of dust had been trapped in the paint, so after sanding them off, had to go to step 3. 3.) Mixing new paint, so used a combination of Red Leather 70818 and Green Ochre 70914. Second round of spraying, base colour is lightened with Basic Skintone 70815. This was followed with an even lighter application by mixing in white. regards, Jack

Here we have an Accurate Armour Mark 3 Tank Transporter with Sankey 60 Ton Trailer designed for carrying Chieftain and Conqueror Tanks. In this case the Cromwell Models Conqueror. As one of the original members of 3 Tank Transporter Sqdn....23 Tank Transporter Sqdn disbanded shortly after to become 3 Tank Transporter Sqdn and this is the equipment we used in the 70s at Antwerp Barracks in Sennelager BAOR. Both kits, well, 3 actually counting the trailer, fought me all the way with brittle parts breaking and replacements having to be hand made. I have made the antar with options for ballast or 5th wheel, crew canopy or, as often seen when not being used just the skeleton framework for the canopy/crew quarters behind the cab open to the elements. It still need some weathering on it although these vehicles, like tanks, only moved 6-8 months of the year so much time was kept keeping them clean, spotless and depending on the driver "bulled up" The rather long ramps on the Sankey Trailer can be displayed up or down with all chains detached or in situ

In February 2014, Kora Models (http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=products_new&disp_order=6&page=8) released two Manshū Ki-71 "Edna" 1/72nd resin kits. Manshū Ki-71 "Edna" Foreign service - ref.72179 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1500 Manshū Ki-71 "Edna" Japanese service - ref.72178 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1499 V.P.

Kora Models (http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=products_new) is to release in March 2014 two 1/72nd resin kits from the Hawker (Australian) Demon. Hawker Australian Demon Silver and Yellow Service - ref.72184 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1570 Hawker Australian Demon War Service - ref.72185 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1569 Already released in February 2014 Hawker Turret Demon RAF - "Munich crisis" - ref.72181 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1502 Hawker Turret Demon RAF - "silver wings" - ref.72182 Source: http://www.lfmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1501 V.P.

Source: http://www.master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=80217 FGMmasterdujin (http://fgmmasterdujin.e-monsite.com/)is to release a 1/72nd Levasseur PL.8-01 "Oiseau Blanc" resin kit. http://fgmmasterdujin.e-monsite.com/pages/les-reeditions-fgmmasterdujin.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levasseur_PL.8 V.P.

Lone Star Models (http://www.lonestarmodels.com/) has just released a Heath Baby Bullet 1/32nd kit - ref. LSM30519 Sources: http://www.lonestarmodels.com/completekits.html http://www.largescaleplanes.com/news/news.php?nid=106 V.P.

Hello dear Friends. Northstarmodels start a series of Engines for WWI airplanes. First item - Oberursel Ur.II Engine in 1/48 scale.

Source: http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1392540769/1-48+Mew+Gulls+by+KiwiResin KiwiResin (http://skygodnz.wix.com/kiwiresin) has just released a 1/48th Percival Mew Gull resin kit. V.P.

Profil 24 (http://www.profil24-models.com/model-kits-modeles-reduits/en/ & https://www.facebook.com/pages/Profil-24/126846854065002) has just released a 1/24th Gloster VI Schneider Trophy Racer 1929 kit. Sources:http://www.largescaleplanes.com/news/news.php?nid=103 Available here: http://www.profil24-models.com/model-kits-modeles-reduits/en/avion-kit-resine/179-gloster-6-racer-coupe-schneider-1929-1-24-kit.html V.P.

About 15 years ago I wrote a book about mold making and resin casting which was based on my apprenticeship with a master mold maker and from experiences I had while operating a resin model kit manufacturing company back in the 1990s (Wingnut International). The book was self published and rather hard to get, being a completely "in house" operation--I printed, bound and sold the book directly to my customers. It was a modest success but as is the nature with many books, sales gradually dwindled until it was no longer worth my time and effort to keep it in print. The book attained sort of a legendary status and there have been inquiries from time to time about the possibility of reviving it. This wasn't an easy thing to do because the ancient software used to make the book was incompatible with more modern hardware and operating systems. Then about a year ago, after being lobbied hard for the rights to the book by someone active in the how-to publishing field, I decided to take another look at the feasibility of bringing it back into print. I did a literature search and discovered that no book published since has gone into the detail mine does, so I began to think that maybe it would be worth the effort to revive it for the 21st Century. I've spent the last year updating the book and working with an editor to improve it and make it compatible with modern distribution channels. The book is now professionally printed and bound and available on CreateSpace.com, a division of Amazon.com The book is also now available on Amazon and Amazon UK. Copy and paste Secrets of Expert Mold Making & Resin Casting into the Amazon search window and it will take you right to the listing. If 2 listings show up, go to the one with the blue/green cover--the white cover is for the old edition and is no longer available. I have been trying to get Amazon to remove the old listing, but no luck yet. Sorry for any confusion.

HpH has just released a 1/32nd Letov LF-107 Luňák resin kit Available here: http://www.hphmodels.cz/index.php/en/shop-2/produkty-hph-models/modely-v-meritku-1-32/lf-107-lunak-1-32-detail V.P.

HPH 1/32nd new resin kit in progress is a Letov -328 molík - ref. 32029R Source: http://www.hphmodels.cz/index.php/en/shop-2/produkty-hph-models/modely-v-meritku-1-32/letov-s-328-1-32-detail V.P.

JMGT (http://www.jmgt.fr/ site is down for the moment) has juste released a 1/48th Potez 53 - winner of the Deutsch de la Meurthe contest in 1933 - resin kit - ref. AR22. Source: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/JMGTAR22 V.P.

Hi guys, New year new kit... almost. I have wanted this kit for a long time, in fact I've wanted a large scale Buccaneer for years. I've decided to make a go of it along side my other 'large' kits, The Hudson, Il-76/82VKP etc so it gives me a huge variation in what I'm doing. Huge thanks to Andy and Stuart for this kit, it's brilliant and it's going to give me hours (years) of fun! I won't bore you with everything you get in the box, as no doubt you've seen it on Andys brilliant thread. If you do want to see, check out my Flickr here! Here it is placed on my kitchen floor against the tape measure Resin 1/24th scale Buccaneer by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Resin 1/24th scale Buccaneer by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr I'm starting off with the seats, Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Photos vary now with the light as I was kindly donated some lights from a photographer friend who was going to put them in the bin!! (still getting used to them to) Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Rear has had the resin ground away for an insert to neaten things up. Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr It'll be trimmed to fit properly too, it's just pushed in at the moment. Resin 1/24th scale Martin Baker Mk.6MSB Ejection Seat by Totallyrad.co.uk, on Flickr Thanks for looking in..

Cunarmodel from Italy is to release a 1/48th Piaggio P.180 Avanti resin kit - ref. CM4802 Source: http://www.italiankits.it/cunarmodel.html V.P.

Italian Kits is to release in 2015 a 1/48th IMAM/Romeo Ro.1 (the Italian built Fokker C.V-E version) resin kit - ref. IKW4820 Source: http://www.italiankits.it/italiankits.html V.P.