Category: design
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The Nearly Model

We’ve all had the experience of seeing an item on the shelf of a decor store antique palace that looks like a model from a distance – but a dust catcher from close up. Not that real scale models do not catch dust…it is just that the decor items are stuff that is churned out…
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Heinkel He-111c – Part Three – Touch-Fit

And only where it touches, I might add. The Roden curse is starting to take effect. The ambitions of the moulders will need to be matched with equal bravery by the builder. The fit of many of the parts is approximate. This is surprising considering the more delicate parts like the landing gear struts seem…
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Heinkel He-111c – Part Two – The Elsan

You may not have a lot in life, but as long as you have a pot… This is the type of thought that I deal with every day – no wonder the in-laws avoid me at parties. In this case, the Roden kit of the He 111c brought it to mind again as I commenced…
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Republic P-47D – Part One – Show Surprise

I was astounded when presented with this Hasegawa P-47 at our recent scale model show. It was not a prize for competition – just a kind gift from an official. I hope the end result will adequately express my gratitude. There are several other P-47’s in the collection in USAAF markings so this time I…
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Eco-Friendly Virtuous Modelling

Become One With The Modelverse. A new contest is about to be announced by the BGA for scale modellers who wish to become legends, icons, or be included in the Hall Of Famousosity. The 2025 Greta awards are going to be for the best scale model made with traditional materials by modellers who are attuned…
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I’m From Missouri

Show me. If you recognise that phrase, you’ll know it embodies the scepticism and practicality of the Missourian. It must be hard to sell used cars in Kansas City… But the miniature builder can satisfy even the hardest prairie mind – because the miniature builder need not be restricted to where they are or when…
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Define Nostalgia

Easy to do for yourself – hard to do for others… The theme for some of the displays seen at the WAMA exhibition revolved around nostalgia. The vague meaning of the word – a pain for the past – may be a lot more apposite than you’d think if your past was a pain. Some…
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Where Do You Live?

In a house? In a suburb? In a certain time? What if you could create your own little world? Some scale model railway makers do that – and their layouts can be as bare or as detailed as their resources and imagination may dictate. Scale model diorama makers as well – they have little slices…
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If You Build A Mustspitschmitt

You have to build it in the largest possible scale. Anything less would be a waste of time. Disregard the fact that you could show as much or as little skill in the smaller size as the larger. Set aside the cost factor and the encroachment on domestic space after it is completed. This is…
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Aichi B7A2 Grace – Part One – Plastic Baggies Have Changed…

Remember the 50¢ Airfix baggie of 1959? Your whole allowance gone but you could build on it for a week. This Fujimi kit has also come to me in a plastic bag, courtesy of a stash sale, but it is considerably in advance of the ’59 kits. It’s come at the price of pint of…
