HobbyLink reports that Aoshima is thinking about producing a 1:12 scale Nissan GT-R scale car model. Wow ! That would be some kit ! Below you can see it compared to Aoshimas 1:24 scale GT-R.

Dragon Models has 2 new plastic kits coming out, both in 1:6 scale. One is a M2 .50cal Browning Machine Gun w/Tripod. This beautifully molded weapon is bristling with detail, including a significant number of moving parts for absolute realism. The weapon can traverse and elevate on its M3 tripod, and the feed cover can be opened to allow insertion of an ammo belt. The model even mimics the weapon’s bolt action too. The weapon itself is accompanied by an accurately proportioned tripod that can actually be folded up! Further accessories like an ammunition box (suitable for the modern era) and ammo belt are included with the kit for maximum practicality.

The other kit is a 1:6 scale German Schimmwagen. The model includes an accurately molded rear-mounted propeller, which can be swung from its stowed to its operational position. This means the vehicle can be displayed either traversing land or swimming in water. The steering mechanism is fully workable too.

HobbySearch has a new figure available, Fantasy Figure Gallery Akira by Yamato products. It's 37 cm tall.

Time to list some recent model shows:

• NNL Model Car Show 2008
• NNL Nationals Maumee/Toledo, Ohio October 11
• LIARS Model Car Challenge 2008
• Atlanta NNL Model Car Show 2008
• LIARS Model Car Challenge 2008
• ACME's Southern Nats NNL 2008
• Vancouver Auto Modelrama - Nov. 9, 2008
• ACME 2008 NNL 2008

Round 2 is releasing a vintage AMT kit, molded in clear blue. It is limited to 500 kits, so if you want one, now is the time to order directly from their site.

Here's the link.

The kit is an iHobby exclusive. The AMT Digger 'Cuda, molded in clear "ghost" blue! Only 500 kits have been produced in this configuration. This very special version comes with chrome plated parts, black vinyl tires, 3 window units in clear, tinted red and tinted blue, along with full color decals (including a special Don Schumacher Stardust option!) miniature display box and instructions. Packaged in a clear poly bag with silver foil 2008 iHobby logo featuring the Kat from AMT!

I don't like to get into die cast to much, because there is a lot of them out there, and information is everywhere. But on the heels of Fujimi and Tamiya's plastic model kit offerings is Maisto's 1:24 diecast version of the 2009 Nissan GT-R.

Their blog mentions some info and pictures, so if you like these cars (I do, I'm a Nissan fan) then take a look.

Dragon is releasing a new ship kit, the 1/350 U.S.S. Preble DDG-88 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer. It appears to be an all new tooling. Their site has some pretty good detail shots of the kits parts. It includes photoetch and a one piece hull.

The kit should be out sometime in December 2008. The box size is 21-inches long, so this should be a good size ship kit to build.

.."Commissioned on November 9 2002, the USS Preble (DDG-88) is a guided missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class. It’s the sixth ship in this class, and is one of the most powerful surface warships ever to set sail. This destroyer based in San Diego, California, is named after Commodore Edward Preble, who successfully combated the Barbary pirates in 1803 and attacked the well-defended harbor of Tripoli. Four General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines propel the 9,200-ton USS Preble to a maximum speed of 30+ knots. Amongst other weapons, its arsenal includes up to 96 missiles (e.g. BGM-109 Tomahawk), a dual-purpose gun, two 25mm chain guns, two Mk. 32 torpedoes and one Phalanx CIWS. All this adds up to a state-of the-art vessel well suited to multi-mission tasks such as supporting carrier groups, surface-action groups or expeditionary strike groups.."

HobbySearch is carrying a new PVC figure by Yamato, Fantasy Figure Gallery Medousa. It look to be well done, and a unique offering.

While this is fully assembled out of the box, that does not mean you can't detail it some, or make a custom base for it as a diorama. There are various ways to spice up these figures to your own taste.

Resin projects can be a bit a trouble sometimes. There are several companies that offer various resin COE (Cab Over Engine) cabs for trucks, in 1:24 or 1:25 scale. Most are a bare shell, the rest of the construction is up to you. Some of you modelers out there probably have one of those kits around, simply because COE's are just cool looking.

Here's an online is a build of a 1:25 resin COE. He started with a cab, but pretty much everything else is scratch built or uses parts from other kits. He's really used his imagination here in creating a one of kind project. And it looks like a fun build too!.

Check out his album of pictures and follow along. If you have a resin COE that's been waiting for inspiration, this might be just the build to get you going on yours.

Special Effects

X-Planes: Pushing
the Envelope of Flight