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Model Of The Year 1999 - You were the jury and here is the verdict.
Technique:
Thing Big! (Part Six) - ROB CLARKE continues his treatise on how to build models in 1/24th scale.
Industry Focus:
When Is A Bus Not A Bus? - BILL POTTER has the answer.
Modelling Basics:
On The Road - If you are building a display you will need a road.
The 22nd Crewe Model Bus Extravaganza
News, reviews and regular features:
Postbag
Hong Kong Focus:
Year Of The Bus - There was a rush of new releases in Hong Kong just before the Chinese New Year.
ABC Goes Historical - SIMON AYRES looks at a state of the art model of an older prototype.
Millennium Trident - CAMPBELL H MORRISON looks at a thoroughly modem model.
Die-Cast Digest:
All The Fun Of The Fair - News from the British International Toy & Hobby Fair.
Product Reviews
Road Test
Reality Check - Four recent die-cast releases get the once over.
Not On Service
Duty Roster
Gallery
Recently I was in conversation with one of the kit manufacturers. His question was, on the surface, simple. What would make a perfect kit? He wasn't talking about which prototype, but about the materials and characteristics displayed by the kit.
So what would make the perfect kit? Well, it would need to be easy to build for the novice. Ideally a single piece bodyshell on to which you hang details and then plug in the chassis.
It would be in a familiar material. Plastic would be ideal as virtually everyone has built a plastic kit at some point and no special tools, skills or adhesives are necessary. Resin is a close second as it is easy to work. The material also needs to be forgiving of the ham-fisted and not break or deform too easily.
It would be quick to build. Most people are short of time and even hobby hours need to be utilised efficiently.
It would be well detailed and dimensionally accurate. Extra details such as wing mirrors and windscreen wipers would be included for those who want to apply them. The rest of us could just leave them in the box. The model should be able to be painted and decalled before it is glazed. The glazing too should be easy to fit - no trimming of vacuum formed windscreens or glazing deeply inset behind the sides. Finally, the end result should look like the prototype.
Some kits come close, but I don't think that we have a perfect one yet. Then of course there is the matter of the perfect prototype for the perfect kit...
