News from your model shop - 13th March 2022

Hello

Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips and unboxing videos located at the bottom of the newsletter.

Many modellers of war-themed dioramas opt for 1:35 as their scale of choice. The scale certainly seems to provide the best of both worlds with models large enough to exhibit fine details whilst being small enough to pack a fair amount into a scene. Being a long-established scale, there's no problem finding models of military vehicles to feature in a diorama, but what about everything else?

Well, many larger structures such as barns or bridges are often scratch built. Such projects are not too difficult to tackle in this scale, but where many modellers do get a little stuck is finding models to dress their scenes with. MiniArt is one model kit manufacturer that has risen to the challenge and produces numerous kits containing the most unlikely of subjects. You can see the full range by clicking here but an excellent example of this can be seen with their household crockery and glass set, their wooden barrels set, or their musical instruments set. Their kits do require a certain amount of assembly and will need painting and weathering, so don't worry, they have left you something to do!



MiniArt also produces a decent range of military, vehicular and industrial accessory model kits too, such as their High-Pressure Cylinder set, their Oil and Petrol Can set and their WW2 Allies Jerry Can set.



Whether you model in 1:35 scale or any other scale, all modellers love their tools, especially quirky, niche or job-specific tools. These lesser heard of tools can often provide a perfect solution to a modeller's problem, even when they didn't know they had a problem until they tried the solution! For example, did you know that you can get low-tack masking tape that won't wrench paintwork from your prised model? or what about masking sheets for masking larger areas?

Other tools that will surprise and impress with their existence includes shaped sandpaper holders for sanding curves, hollows, bends and corners; a mini putty tray and applicator set for smaller filling jobs, a copper wire bending tool for creating various sizes of handrails (grab handles) and a value plastic model clamp handy for paint spraying.

• Gaugemaster GM448 Fordhampton Industrial Gas/liquid pipeline bridge OO gauge
• Train-Tech SC1 DCC signal controller for two-aspect light signals.
• Ratio 486 LNER Lattice Post Signals kit - includes junction/bracket types OO gauge
• Kestrel Designs GMKD11 Flat Canopy with glazed skylights N gauge
• Auhagen 42630 High Voltage Masts (pylons) HO gauge
• Woodland Scenics TR3547 Set of 8x small cool shade trees
• Gaugemaster GM437 Fordhampton House Under Construction OO gauge
• Javis PF1 Rough country fencing OO gauge
• Woodland Scenics PF5191 Country church with clapboard siding HO gauge
• Peco PL-50 Turnout Switch Module for solderless switch installation
  

You can access all the unboxing videos by visiting this page or simply click on the link called "videos" on our website.