Scale Aviation Focus: Carrier Strike & Cold War Interceptors 

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NEW KIT RELEASES

The Airfix 1:48 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 is a brand new tooling and early Inbox reviews indicate it’s a good alternative to the old Hasegawa 1/48 FGR.2. The kit itself is for skilled modelers and on initial inspection, this kit is well detailed and moulded and of course has a superb decal sheet featuring three FG.1 Phantoms that flew with the Royal Navy and associated units.

Arma Hobby continues to set the benchmark for 1:72 WWII fighters with ultra-sharp surface recessing and photo-etched accents out of the box for its F4F-3 Wildcat. Community consensus highlights the exceptional fit, though the small part count demands steady hands during landing gear assembly. 

The UMa Model 1/48 AV-8B Harrier II Plus is a brand new tooling and early community reviews indicate it’s a massive engineering leap over the older Hasegawa and Kinetic options. The kit itself is for skilled modelers, it is exceptionally well detailed, packed with out-of-the-box extras like photo-etched accents, pre-cut masks, and innovative 3D-printed cockpit decals.

KIT OF THE WEEK - Tamiya 1:48 Grumman F-14B Tomcat w/ Shipboard Towing Tractor

The Tamiya 1:48 Grumman F-14B Tomcat w/ Shipboard Towing Tractor is widely considered the gold standard in modern jet kits, pairing high-end engineering with an included deck tractor for instant diorama value. Engineered to bypass the usual fit headaches of variable-sweep wings via clever interchangeable glove inserts, the kit features over 300 crisp parts, die-cast nose weights, photo-etched details, and high-detail US Navy decals. Ranked at an approachable 2.5/5 difficulty level, it offers scale modellers a stress-free, flagship-quality build, with community consensus praising its exceptional tab-and-slot fit right out of the box.

TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE WEEK

In this week's technique tutorial from MM Scale Models, they are breaking down the basics of restoring lost panel lines and creating razor-sharp surface details on aircraft models. Sanding down fuselage seams often erases delicate details, but with a sharp scriber, some guide tape, and the right light-pressure technique, re-scribing raised or shallow panel lines and custom access hatches is easier than you think. Check out the video below or follow this link directly to YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hk-HBodYfzc&si=kDL7C4yX_z6bTG_u

TOOL / SUPPLY PICK OF THE WEEK - TAMIYA ENGRAVING BLADE

The Tamiya Fine Engraving Blade (0.2mm) is a tungsten carbide tool designed specifically to carve clean, uniform U-shaped grooves into plastic, rather than plowing through it like a needle or standard hobby knife. 

Guided along Dymo or scriber tape with light pressure, it smoothly restores lost panel lines and adds crisp custom hatches without tearing the plastic or creating raised burrs.  Compared to cheaper steel scribers that dull quickly and slip off line, tungsten carbide stays razor-sharp over hundreds of builds and gives you complete control over shallow surface details.

It is an immediate upgrade for beginners looking to fix sanded-over seams neatly, and a mandatory precision tool for experienced modelers building high-end jet kits. Check price on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B035ptRQb

EXCITING ARTILLERY KITS ON THE HORIZON - OCTOBER 2026

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NEW KIT RELEASES - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

MENG 1/35 US M109A7 Paladin

Coming up in November 2026 is Meng’s new tooling of the U.S. M109A7 Paladin 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer plastic model kit in 1/35 scale. Once assembled, this model is about 308mm long (with storage baskets installed behind the turret bustle), 102mm wide, and 109mm high (to the top of the RCWS). This kit features a realistic and movable torsion bar suspension system and cement-free workable double-pin tracks. It also includes precision PE parts and provides three paint schemes.

DRAMi 1/35 NATO MLRS

DRAMi 1/35 NATO Multiple Launch Rocket System is a rebox of old Dragon M270 MLRS. The M270 MLRS is a joint development by the U.S. and Western European NATO allies in the 1980s; adopted across multiple NATO militaries. It carries 12 interchangeable rockets or surface-to-surface missiles (including GMLRS and ATACMS) capable of striking targets from 42 km to over 300 km depending on the munition.

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KIT OF THE WEEK - TAMIYA GERMAN TRACTOR RS0/01

Tamiya is a leader in plastic scale models with their quality and their new 1/35 SCALE GERMAN TRACTOR RSO/01 certainly does not disappoint. It includes a driver figure, 2 marking options, 1944 Eastern Front and France and masking stickers for windows and window frames.

While the model features sophisticated engineering, Tamiya is renowned for logical, clear instructions that guide the builder through complex assemblies like the engine, interior controls, and link-and-length tracks. The inclusion of alignment aids, such as triangle markings for the tracks, makes the build approachable even for those with moderate experience.

This kit is best for Experienced builders who will appreciate the "proper engineering," crisp surface textures (like the wood grain effect), and the accurate depiction of the engine and chassis and enthusiasts of WWII German Armor looking for a unique, "unglamorous" workhorse subject that stands out from standard tank collections. Check price on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B02Et0Dwh

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TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE WEEK - WHAT SHOULD YOU PAINT BEFORE ASSEMBLING A SCALE MODEL?

One of the things that separates good models from great models is painting. And today I have a video from The Inner Nerd on “What Should You Paint Before Assembling a Scale Model ?”

In the video, he’s using the Airfix 1/48 Westland Lysander aircraft kit to demonstrate. 

In this build, he demonstrates that you should prioritize painting interior components and sub-assemblies before they are fully enclosed or rendered inaccessible by the main structure. He argues that painting these parts while they are still in manageable pieces - such as the cockpit framework - is much more efficient than trying to reach them later.

Key takeaways on his workflow include:

• Interior First: Complete all detailing, dry-brushing, and washing for the cockpit and internal structures before joining the fuselage halves.

• Strategic Separation: Keep fragile parts or complex sections (like the engine) separate until the final stages to avoid damage or masking difficulties during the exterior painting process.

• Process Integration: Use gaps in the main assembly or waiting periods (like letting glue cure) as opportunities to paint secondary components, such as wheel hubs or payloads, effectively using your airbrush setup efficiently.

Ultimately, the goal is to treat the build as a continuous, logical process where you avoid boxing yourself out of areas that require paint and detail.

You can watch the full 30-40 minutes video build over on Youtube.

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TOOL / SUPPLY PICK OF THE WEEK – EXTRA THIN LIQUID CEMENT

Unlike traditional tube glue or thick liquid cements, Extra Thin Liquid Cement is a low-viscosity solvent cement designed to weld plastic parts together instantly through capillary action, guided by an ultra-fine applicator brush built right into the cap.

Instead of applying glue before joining parts, you dry-fit the components, align them perfectly, and simply touch the brush tip to the seam. The water-like fluid draws straight into the joint without running onto surrounding details, leaving messy fingerprints, or building up gummy residue that can ruin fine surface textures like wood grain or delicate rivets.

This precise delivery makes extra thin cement indispensable across every stage of a build. It allows you to flow cement cleanly into tight sub-assemblies like cockpit tubs or engine bays, fuse major hull and fuselage seams with strong, clean welds, and tackle intricate running gear—such as the link-and-length tracks featured in the Tamiya RSO/01—without melting details.

For beginners, replacing old-school tube glue with liquid cement is the single quickest way to eliminate sloppy builds and accidental melted plastic. For experienced modelers, it remains a non-negotiable workbench staple for complex sub-assemblies and high-detail kits.

Check price on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0h6rvSd3

HAPPY SCALE MODELLING!

Big Aircraft Carrier in 1-35 scale

I would never imagine seeing a 1/35 scale of an Aircraft Carrier, it's going to be huge! Granted that this one is only part of the ship, but it sure is exciting to see it!

It's in Japanese, but you can turn on Caption with English subtitles.

Also this one is for the aircraft, there should be another one for the Carrier Deck. Here is the link:  巨大スケールで作る！赤城飛行甲板と97式艦上攻撃機！【赤城飛行甲板編】

Source: Giant Scale Build! IJN Akagi Flight Deck & Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber!【Aircraft Build】by Meoto-Mokei channel