Steve over at CultTVman has some nice shots of the upcoming Mobius Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Seaview.

These are small here, but jump over to his site and see the really large images. This looks like it is going to be some kit ! I already have one on order. :-) I know, they are just test shots, but hey, still looks good.

I've been a fan of the show, I even had an Aurora Seaview as a kid. I remember building it on the kitchen table. Painted it Testors Gloss Dark Blue if I remember right. Of course that kit (and the later Polar Lights example) are pretty small compared to this 39-inch example.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about 3D printing. Small machines that can "print" a 3d object. The ones I have read about use particles (dust as it were) to build up in layers a 3D model.

The units get smaller, and over time, the price comes down. I think at this point they average around 5 to $ 6,000.00.

Modelers are enthusiastic about it. Because while it probably isn't practical for say a car or tank body, smaller parts, like engine blocks (tank or car) would be quite possible.

Besides the cost of the machine, there is the "dust" as well, as far as an expense. You also have to use computer software, or at least a CAD program. (every machine has different demands, I don't think there is any standard yet).

Here is a good article that shows you just some of what can be done, but also shows some of the limitations at this time with the technology. It's definitely not quite there, but in the future, I am sure it will progress and get much better (and maybe more affordable!). It shows promise.

See what you think, check out the article.

As a follow up, I wonder how these objects take to different kinds of glue and paint. (?)

Amazing Science models has released a new studio scale SHADO UFO from the TV Series. It can be purchased assembled, or as a kit to do it yourself.

They are a limited production, signed and numbered edition of 50 pieces (25 in kit and 25 built and painted). The kit is mastered by German Impache.

Hobby Search is going to carry a 1/48 X-15A-2 with Dummy Scramjet, produced by Special Hobby.

There's not much information about it, and I only know of one other 1/48 X15 (I built one years ago). I think it was made by Revell or AMT. Never the less, it's expensive when you find it nowadays, and it's not exactly like this version.

Every modeler has a source for reference. My guess it comes down to the web or a published book (probably with a lot of pictures). For Car and Truck builders, there are numerous places online. But one that stands out is Dave Lindsay's SoCal Car Culture.

He's been a photographer for several decades, shooting and selling images for everything from advertising to magazines. But a lot of his images are on public display. And while the Big Boys can get an image for licensing, you can still get a copy of your own to spiff up your favorite sports room or den, simply by ordering a copy, all the way up to an 11 x 14. Obviously these are the highest quality photos.

From a reference standpoint, for a modeler, there are shots of just about everything. Such as engine bays, paint schemes, flame jobs, and subtle details. A Million ideas are here.

So visit his site and check it out if you're a car modeler, you won't be disappointed.

Here's one of my favorites !

Appleseed (the first movie) is my favorite Anime movie, at least, until I happen across a better one. Anyway, Forbidden Planet will be carrying two new figures of ESWAT's Deunan Knute and Birareos, the lead characters in the movie.

These figures are from the second movie, "Appleseed Ex Machina", which is more CGI than the first one, and less of an Anime movie. Hard to say whether it will be as good. It sounds like they already changed the voices of the characters. :-(

Still, it will be released here in the U.S. for the first time on March 11, 2008.

Here's some info and a Trailer on the Movie.

There have been bus kits in 1:32 scale for years. But Revell Germany has gone and stepped it up a notch by developing an all new Omnibus Neoplan Cityliner Bus kit, in 1:24 scale.

For some reason it appeals to me. Maybe because, well, I don't have any other Bus kits on my shelf, I've never built one. I also wonder what the interior is like. It probably has seats,(maybe a bathroom?),but I really think I would like to do a motorhome conversion on it. Maybe a race team or something. Really, the possibilities are endless.

Sure it's gonna be huge. Probably around $ 100.00 (half the price of a Hiro or Studio 27 kit and 4 times the size), but hey man, it's a BUS !

It used to be Adam's Truckstop many years ago, and then it was modeltruckmafia. But with a few lost domain names and hosting, the site was gone after 5 years of online modeling trucking.

But it's back !

I guess you could call it a "kiosk" site, but the great truck models are online to see and more information will be added soon in the next couple of months. So if you build Big Rigs, check it out ! And drop Adam a line.

Lasse shows you how in this online article how he scratch built a Star Wars escape pod. (in the first movie, at the beginning, this is what is launched with R2D2 and C390 from Princess Leia's diplomatic ship).

Sure, lot's of people scratch build stuff, especially scifi subjects since so few are available in kit form. As mentioned in his article, ILM made theirs out of 2 discarded paint buckets !

Lasse makes his a bit more durable, and from modern materials, but he leaves out no detail, and it's an excellent (and large) model example.

Check the article out as he shows you how to work your way through a project and get the job done.

Got an email the other day, some fresh news from Jevries. You want to check out his "Real Deal" 1964 Chevy Impala. It's more than a model. It's art ! It's also a functioning 1/24 scale RC lowrider !

From J, the man himself -

"...(the) Real Deal '64 is a 1/24 Chevy Impala model kit I built together with my good friend Ryan Happe from Scale lows. This ride is truly a mile stone for me personally as well as for the lowrider model car community since it bridges the gap between static modelling and working model cars.".

Now I want you to jump over to his site right now and check out the video! Watch this baby do all the cool stuff, with no wires. Man, I want to build one of these myself !!

If you check out his entire site, you will see it's been a labor of love to get to this point. It didn't happen overnight. But if you want to see the future happening right now, check him out.

SSB Resins has released a new 1/24 E450 Ford Box Ambulance kit. Click here for an in depth review by Chris Mobley over at Scalefirehouse.

There's nothing really close to this on the market as Chris says, so it's a must have for rescue emergency vehicle builders. I don't think you could even scratch build one, from a materials cost point, for the price of this kit !

Fantastic Plastic is now taking votes for one of the next models they will produce. This is a great concept idea, where Scifi fans can not only submit designs in a contest for a proposed kit, but if selected, it will even be produced ! Wow !

It's funny how the model hobby is changing and evolving for modern times. The internet alone has really bridged a gap, where people who produce products can get direct information from their fans and customers.

But let's no get distracted. This is cool !

There are 7 designs to choose from. You get to vote and decide which one gets made ! Here is just one example pictures below, but check them all out and pitch in your vote !

Retro Resin now has the Banana Splits Banana Buggy from the Saturday Morning TV Show. It features the figures of Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky. How cool is that?

It includes an added bench for them to sit on, and a decal sheet.

Even the box is in full color !

Appleseed