The Modelling News (13 February 2012)

This week in the modelling news, we investigate a cheap way to save the environment while still modelling. We also take a look at “the usual Suspects” and from Dragon, we get hooked on a new vice and let the black eagles loose – interested? Read on…

Environment conscience, elimination of unnecessary production or just cheap? Overtrees are a new idea in modelling. Started by Eduard from the Czech Republic, they are a cheap way to get a complete set of sprues for the Bf 109E-1 1/48 scale kit without paying for some of the stuff you do not want or need. The contents of this kit:

Basically there is just one kit in a plain box that arrives at your door. No decals, Instructions (downloadable separately) masks or fancy add-ons, just Styrene parts and Photo etch thin parts. That is it, a far cry from a fully detailed box lined with extra options and things you may already have and do not need to pay for again. The usual release contents - what a difference

Eduard release them for a short time period in which they are usually snapped up by their customers. Some people say that they like the fact of no wastage, some say they like to add their own decals, but most I suspect just want a quality kit as cheap as they can get it!

Overtrees are released occasionally and are available for purchase for limited period of time and only at Eduard Store. Check out the mainstream release of the kit (with all of the other bits included) there too. The finished kit - just BYO decals

Hold on! Shesto – model making tool suppliers add to their plethora of handy items to improve your modelling this month – the Multi-Angle Bench Vice [PVC7008] for holding & manoeuvring objects to the most accessible angle.

The Multi-Angled Bench Vice is made from die-cast aluminium and nickel-plated steel. The rotating and tilting head allows you to manoeuvre your work piece to the most accessible angle and then lock them into position by a single lever. The rubber grips on the jaws are for holding more delicate objects, although the vice can also be used without the grips. The jaws also have vertical and horizontal V-Grooves ideal for holding rods, wire or circular objects. The Vice fixes onto benches up to 55 mm in thickness, with the adjustable lower clamp grip allowing for uneven surfaces and the soft upper grip protecting the surface from damage.

These are the vital statistics you all need to know: Jaw Width: 75 mm Jaw Capacity (without rubber jaws): 55 mm Jaw Capacity (with rubber jaws): 50 mm (we need the rubber jaws don’t we folks) Head Rotation: 360 degrees Tilt positions: 0 – 90 degrees Overall height above the work surface: 155 mm

Anyway it looks very handy - especially I would think to people who are dealing with heavy modelling applications or metal kits. Looks very good to me…

Dragon from China brings us a new set of soldiers from the late WWII period which is just so undeniably popular with modellers (much to the chagrin of those who it isn’t popular with). Anyway their new four figure set is called The New, 4-figure, 1/35th Scale Release is: 6694 - Defence of the Reich

The figures carry the newly detailed weapons as much hyped as “Gen2” gear, and diverse it is too – an MG44, various rifles, a Panzerfaust with two option firing switch and a paratrooper’s FG 42 gun, along with several grenades and pack equipment the work has been put in here in the tooling alight.

One thing if I may though, the soldiers all look like they were rounded up in a police line-up rather than being from one unit. Maybe we are led to believe that these figures are a cross section of soldiers available at one place but it looks more to me like they are lots of singular figures you could use in different vignettes.

The mix of an SS soldier, a Volkstrum home guard soldier, a paratrooper and an army sniper in a camouflaged smock all look great but don’t really blend as a group. I do however like the set of figures and they look pretty well done in these pictures, very detailed indeed.

Lastly this week we have a pretty neat looking kit in 1/48th scale from South Korean model makers Academy. Being the national aerobatics team probably got this model kitted by Academy where it may have only come out as a decal somewhere else - It is the kit of the “Black Eagles” The R.O.K. (Republic of Korean) Air force. These pilots fly the locally made T-50 fighter - a look alike of the F-16 fighting falcon with similar flying capabilities.

The previews are just our but we can confirm that the kits decals are pretty extensive and are printed by Cartograf. The kit includes features like two pilot figures, a fully riveted and lightly panelled fuselage and several options like landing gear and canopy multi-positionable and things like dummy missiles for the wingtip pylons. The cockpit especially looks very nice – more on this as it surfaces.

Anyway enjoy your modelling and have a great week!

Adam Norenberg