::::::::::::::::::: Model News May 2007 ::::::::::::::::::

Moebius Models is going to release a huge Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Seaview kit.

The kit will be 1/128 scale, which makes the kit around 39 inches long ! Oh yeah! The kit will also include a Flying Sub and the Mini Sub

I hope the nose / bridge is open, and can be detailed out (how about that wood paneling ? LOL). Anyway, if the front glass is clear, and you can see inside, that would be great. With the flying sub included, the hanger bay can also be detailed out hopefully.

It's a mystery. Something called Modelerchannel.com

Anyone got any scoop ?

Just want to mention a new addition to the Guest gallery. Some images of Alvin L.'s Porsche diorama.

Check out his work.

Here are some more model show galleries just in:

• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 2007 (Ghogg)
• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 2007 (ModelCitizen)
• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 2007 (CarModelCorner)
• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 2007 (DonB.)
• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 2007 (KeithS.)
• NNL Mid-Atlantic MAMAs 20078 (GaryK)

If you really like Batmobile models, and other TV related kits / cars, Spencer1984's is the place to start. He has quite a collection. Not just production Batmobile kits, but many that are scratch built on his own.

Take this 1937 Ford. While it may not look like much at first, this represents Batman's first car.

To look further, even if it was not Batman related, it's still a great build. Inside and out.

Check out the full story at his site. And be sure to check out all his Batmobile creations.

To some of you, this is already old news. But I thought it worth mentioning in case anyone missed it.

Hobbico (which is basically part of Tower Hobbies) has acquired Revell-Monogram. For a more in depth story, Click here for the article on Scale Auto's website.

What will this mean in the long run? It's hard to say. It could mean more older reissues. Or a different kind of distribution: Tower Hobbies gets some kits not available anywhere else, or giant retail chain stores get deals that Hobby Shops cannot.

It will certainly shake up how the hobby / model business has been done in the past. We just have to watch and see how it effects those of us at the bottom end of the food chain.

If they keep everything status quo for 2007, that means I will still be getting the reissued Viper and Battlestar Galactica when they come out. :-) (or is that Revell Germany?)

It's been a busy weekend for model shows, so let's see what I can get up here.

Here's some links to some loaded galleries. Yeah, 100's of pictures. So many ideas your head will explode. ;-)

• Official Results Pictures from GSL-XXI
• Scale Auto Magazine's Pictures from NNL Milwaukee 2007
• Model Cars Magazine GSL 2007
• HMCA 2007 (BrianF.)
• HMCA 2007 (Modeladdicts)
• HMCA 2007 (BillZ.)
• GSL-XXI 2007 (MrBoyle)
• GSL-XXI 2007 (SteveH.)
• GSL-XXI 2007 (LenW.)
• GSL-XXI (PhilD.)
• GSL-XXI (StephenR.)
• GSL-XXI (ModelCitizen/TomG)

To me, when someone builds a model out of brass, that's a museum piece. No matter what the scale or subject, it's just a lot of work, and many times, extremely accurate.

If you are into drag racing, this brass model of the Shubert / Herbert dragster is just incredible. Best of all, the model maker took pictures while building the project, and has put it online so we can follow along.

Check it out, it's quite an amazing build !

Here's a little quick photo tutorial on how to photograph model cars.

Granted, they use a die cast for the article, (hey, at least it's a Cobra), but there is certainly some useful information here.

I especially find it practical that they use a digital camera. The link above is but one part of the full lesson, so there are a lot more useful tips.

I know, it's not plastic. It's not even resin. It's wood !

But I have to admit, it's some incredible work. Heavy trucks and construction equipment, things you can't even get in kit form. 1941 For Stake Truck. Antique cars. Tractor Pulls.

These are not just a couple of blocks of wood glued together, there is quite a bit of detail work, some are even plumbed and wired !

I have a soft spot for the AMT Deora model kit. It was the first car / truck kit I remember building in the late 1960's. I'm not sure what color I painted it, but I remember the opening windshield was impressive and cool to me.

If you have thought about building one of these kits, here are two great photo albums with some very nice shots to help detail it out.

• Deora Picture Album 1
• Deora Picture Album 2
• The Deora Story
• Deora Models Through the Years
• Deora Hot wheels

Take one Aoshima 1:16 Indian motorcycle kit and detail it to the max, add an amazing paint job, and this is what you get.

One absolutely stunning piece of art.

The text on the website is Japanese, but a quick drop in Google translator and you can get some more information.

Fine Molds is releasing a Star Wars Y-Wing fighter kit. As with all their kits, the detailing will be amazing. These kits are some of the most accurate ever produced to match the production models from the movies.

Hobbylink in Japan will carry them. (I imagine other model stores will import them here in the U.S.). Hobbylink has a special deal going on for preorders. And since they are right there in Japan, they probably get first dibs on product anyway. ;-)

I've bought from them before, nice people, good service.

Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell's website is offering a "Vampire Kiss" figure model kit.

The kit is a numbered limited edition resin kit available only for orders in the USA and only from the Official Boris and Julie's website.

Each Kit comes with a certificate of authenticity with the edition number and a print of the painting, hand signed by both Boris and Julie. Once the total edition of 999 is sold out it will not be available again. The image has been sculpted by Steve West, based on the famous painting by Boris Vallejo. The set comes unpainted and requires assembly.

I've always liked the art of Boris since the 1970's, and Julie Bell's is just as compelling.

1/10 is a pretty large scale, but applying that scale to a Battlehip...that's something all together amazing. Check out this very large Yamato close up.

There's not a lot of information with the pictures, except an excerpt: This 1/10 scale Yamato is displayed in Yamato Museum at Kure-city Hiroshima prefecture Japan. Yamato Museum Home page:

http://yamato.kure-city.jp/english/e-yamatohiroba.htm

I especially like the way there is glass all around it for the display, which allows you to get a good view of every part of the model.

It's always good to kick off a new month with model pictures from a recent model show. here's a couple:

• Milwaukee NNL Model Show 2007
• C.A.M.S. Model Show 2007