Modelling News - 4th March

Andrea Miniatures has sent us pictures of three new figures this month – and we are sure the at least one of them is human! These are the Andrea Miniatures New items for March

GRAZING HORSE SG-A58 METAL 54 mm 1/32

To most people this is a pretty sallow looking horse – but if you are using it for either the wild west or in a wartime diorama then this horse looks the ticket. It looks pretty hungry, though in the social climate we find ourselves in I can’t say anything else about being “As hungry as a horse”

THE TALL MAN SG-F155 METAL 54mm 1/32

Looking every inch the Clarke Gable of western films, this cowboy compliments the horse in this month’s release and looks just about ready to get back in the saddle.

More pictures of the Jaguar from KittyHawk in 1/48th scale - this time new boxart of the GR.1 /GR.3 versions of the British RAF. This will surely be popular in "Blighty"

We can expect the RAF version of the Sepecat Jaguar from Kittyhawk - the KH 80106 GR1 / GR3 version in local hobby shops in late May.

Depicted on the nose-art is Jaguar GR.1A XZ364 "Saddam kicker" that served in the first gulf War in 1991-2.

More news on this new boxing as it comes to hand folks!

It seems that Diego Fortes never leaves his modelling bench. This month he brings us Miniaturas Fortes' latest figure - one that fans of the classic novel "Oliver Twist" will know very well - ladies and gents we give you... Bill Sikes.

William "Bill" Sikes is a character in the novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. Sikes (and his faithful dog Bullseye) has been captured in fine detail here in this 1/24th figure. There has been numerous adaptations of the novel, both in movies and theatre. My favourite is still the 1948 version, but the actor that most resembles the character imagined by Dickens is, indeed, Oliver Reed.

This is one of those characters that cause you an unforgettable impression. I think that my first memory of him is the movie directed by David Lean: Oliver Twist (1948). Of course, the character is inseparable from his dog, Bullseye

Dickens describes him as a stoutly-built fellow “with a black velvet coat and very soiled drab breeches". Powerful calves covered by grey cotton socks, inside his boots. The dirty belcher handkerchief with which he cleaned the beer from his mouth... He is a brutal and dangerous personage, whom, however, has complete loyalty from his lover, the prostitute Nancy, and his bull terrier, named Bullseye.

To see more of Diego's figures and works in progress and build threads like this one check out his website Fortes Miniatures – you may even come away with your own figure as you can order directly from him for 30 Euros + P&P.

Well we are impressed – the penny has finally dropped and someone is making the DFS glider to go along with German Paratroops – about time someone realized the crossover potential! Ohh and if you like a Topolino and some British infantry correspondents then they are the two other exciting new kits just announced by bronco today…

CB35039 - German Invasion Glider DFS-230 B-1 with Paratroopers (Operation Eiche)

The German Paratroopers of Operation Eiche (better know as Operation Oak) was the raid on Gran Sasso by Otto Skorzeny and his Special Forces troops to re-capture Mussolini from his prison in the Italian Alps. This kit has been begging to be made for such a long time – the crossover between aircraft and infantry modellers has long been obvious to me at least. It will be a great big aircraft and hopefully full of detail as well – this one will be a winner.

CB35156 - DAK “Topolino” (German/Italian) Light Staff car with crew and IF8 Infantry Cart – 1/35th scale

The Afrika Korps (or even the Italian version) of the Fiat 500 Topolino has to be as an interesting release as the recent Fiat Simca 5 which was very popular with modellers, not for it’s large size but rather it’s diminutive stature. By adding the IF8 Infantry Cart to this staff car a second layer of interest is added and this can be weathered up to be a requisitioned “infantry support vehicle”. I can imagine it now full of stuff!!! Crew are included as well so this looks to be a great set.

CB35140 - WW2 British and Commonwealth War Correspondent set – 1/35th scale

Well those people who are after more British stuff will love this set – we have six figures of war reporters and photographers here in a variety of get ups including a tanker and a paratroop reporter. A great set in a much left out genre and service.

A new desktop picture for all of you Viggen lovers – ohhh and the kit from Tarangus is out soon too!

Tarangus from Sweden have recently brought out a graceful kit of the SAAB Lansen and now they let loose with one of a lot of people’s “favourite” list of aircraft - the SAAB JA37 Viggen in 1/48th scale. We were mulling over the various colour options - there are all great and it is easy to find a reason to go with a single scheme.

The Viggen or “Thunderbolt” is one of my favourite aircraft – on meeting some pilots of the “Gripen” at RIAT this last year the ones who had flown the impressive fighter all loved it still. Indeed, even though this was only used by one airforce it will still be a good selling kit. Think of all the schemes you could paint it in – silver experimental – splinter camo for STOL operation, grey/grey for the 2000’s and special editions towards the end of service there is still a lot of variety to the colours that can be applied to this kit.

Will the kit have a folding tail? Or reverse doors on their tailpipe?

Nothing else yet to tell you – but we can tell you that they want to release the kit by the end of this month. We will keep you posted!

Last but not least this month is the latest issue of Figure international Magazine – which features my interview with master sculptor, painter and now model maker Sang Eon Lee! The magazine is available in several languages and
is definitely worth a look!

Till next time then – enjoy your modelling and keep safe!