Facebook Twitter RSS

Subscribe our Newsletter


LATEST NEWS


Editorials

Editorial

The best of 2018 Over the end of the year, we are offering a preview of the articles we were proud to have during 2018. Enjoy them and happy new year.




Showcases

By Modeler Site

Problems downloading files

By Mario Covalski

Building the RC Leopard 2A4 1/16 scale A couple of years ago, I discover  www.Ludwigs-Hobby-Seite.de, a web site where Christian Ludwig offers his kits mostly made of  plastic, cut with the CNC technology. So, I found a kit to convert a Heng Long 2A6 to the 2A4, that is to say a previous version.

By Mario Covalski

Converting the Trumpeter T-72 MBT to RC 1/16 scale To improve the Heng Long T-90 I read some books and gathered information/photos from the web. This little research made me know more about these compact Russian tanks T-72/T-90, and so it grew my interest in them. So I bought the 1/16 T-72 Trumpeter kit. This kit was designed not only for static but also for RC. The static version has some extra details and modifications, reminds me the, T-34 from WSN, a brand with which Trumpeter sold the T-34 RC. The philosophy of the T-72 is the same, I still believe that the T-34 gearbox with its motors, would fit in the hull. Perfectly.  

By Mario Covalski

Building and improving the Italeri / Protar Alfa Romeo 179 1980 1/12 scale In May 2001 I wrote a brief preview on the Protar's 1/12 Alfa Romeo 179. This wonderful Formula One was one of the few cars in modern F1 history which chassis and engine were the same brand. Is this model really difficult? This is the key question for this model, and the answer is NO. If it were a Tamiya model, that is to say the same matrix but injected with Tamiya plastic and having the quality control of this huge Japanese company, I would say that this is one of the most delicious models I have ever built. Unfortunately, it has some flaws, mainly due to its poor quality than to the work of the Protar craftsmen.

By Mario Covalski

Tamiya Caterhams, a step by step guide for novices 1/12 scale The first Catherham from Tamiya coming to my hands at the end of 1994, was the “Cycle Fender Special” (10202), since the “Super Seven BDR was out of stock, and it was impossible for me to get it from the stores I used to buy kits. From that moment on, my affair with which, I think is the best scale car kit ever produced, began. And here my comment: probably, you have seen better detailed kits, or even superb models limited editions.

By Rick & Jannine Bennett

Learning to paint figures step by step

By Mario Covalski

Building 1/12 F1 resin model kits: A step by step guide. MG models Ferrari F2002 and F2003- GA This article aims at offering an illustrated guide, with pictures, explaining step by step the tasks that should be done, how to and the reasons, it’s basically a visual guide, based on the construction of two MG models: the 2002 Ferrari and the 2003- GA.

By Jose Antonio Solbes

How to paint with lacquers

By Mario Covalski

Building the IDF M50 radio controled Sherman 1/16 scale Building the M50 in 1/16 scale is a project I have had in mind for many years, and after the M51s (from the article published in May 2012) I felt the need to continue with this one. In this article, I’ll share with the reader my experience in building the M50 RC 1/16 from a Tamiya M4 -105mm with HVSS suspension.

By Mario Covalski

Building the Pocher Lamborghini Huracan, step by step, painting guide and tips. 1/8 scale These are the new times of Pocher, hand in hand with Hornby, the brand that offer models which represent high technology subjects as Lamborghini cars and Ducati motorcycles. Manufactured by Ixo, the Chinese company, they are the fashion of the time, huge 1/8 scale cars with metal body and chassis, already painted (luckily!). They compete with Amalgam and other brands with less expectations but to fit any budget and if you have some experience as model builder, the result will be acceptable and even excellent. The aim of this tutorial is to share the step by step in the Lamborghini Huracán construction, the last Pocher issue explaining the work achieved so that it may be useful for less experienced modelers and collectors.

By Claudio Kalicinski

Scratchbuilding the Nieuport 6H, 1/48 scale I decided to scratchbuild this plane after seeing the scale drawings by Mike Fletcher in his web site: The Nieuport Pages. I sent an E-mail to him and he kindly sent me pictures and larger resolution scale drawings. Once I enlarged the plans to 1/48, I noticed how big the plane was....

By Ricardo Gonzalez

Building and customizing the Tamiya Ducati Panigale S 1/12 scale The Ducatti Panigale is to my liking one of the most spectacular motorcycles of the past decade. Thanks to Tamiya we can have a model of it, both were the reasons why I decided to build it trying to get the most detailed model I could , taking advantage of the fact that as it was a mass production model, it would be possible for me to get a lot of references. Not only I built and superdetailed the model, but also made a slightly and own customized version, a real Panigale, as I would like to have. The aim of this article, is to show with pictures and their comments the work accomplished as a guide and to give ideas of the details that can be added or showing in some cases how to do the different tasks.

By Mario Covalski

Improving the Dragon Kubelwagen 1/6 scale # 75003 Action figure collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Figures made out of different plastic materials based on TV sci-fi series, sci-fi movies (for instance GI Joe action figures) and facts from real life such as the representation of different war scenarios. Soldier figures are commonly made in 1/6 scale, they’re represented with military uniforms made from genuine fabric and the weapons that real soldiers use to have, vehicles included.

By Gary Wickham

Advanced techniques: Building the P-51D Mustang "Lt Col John Myers" Petie 3rd Dragon 1/32 scale The infamous Dragon P-51D in 1/32. This model was started before Tamiya announced their kit, and I have to admit that during this build I did consider scrapping it more than once. In the end, I am very glad I did not. Despite the challenges and limitations of this kit, I am very happy (and proud) of the end result.

By Mario Covalski

Realistic wire wheels for 1/12 scale motorcycles One of the biggest challenges for a modeler who builds motorcycles in 1/12 scale, is to modify a wire wheel and make it look realistic; specially without having to buy an aftermarket kit. Anyway, there are no kits for this kind of modification (except for one of the Acu-stion for the Tamiya XV1600 kit), so it's not possible to get one. So any modeler attempting to do this task must rely in his/her ability in order, to get a good result.

By Denis R.S.Bomfim

Building rusted cars - VW 1966 - 1/24 scale It all started with a joke, I built a rusted Mustang GT 350 to make a gift to a friend who only builds Mustangs. It was at a modelers meeting when he received a homage and the joke consisted of letting him know the arduous remodeling and restoration work he would have with this rusted Mustang. I took advantage of my work and presented it in a contest that took place in Campinas city. Finally, the model was “best of the show” and they called me mad for giving a winning model. My answer was.... I will have to make another rusted model for me.

By Mario Covalski

Improving the Dragon Schwimmwagen - 1/6 scale #75013 Being a car fan, everything that has wheels attracts my attention, nevertheless, the Kubelwagen’s amphibious sibling, went unnoticed by me for quite a long time. After building the 1/6 Dragon Kubel, I was pretty excited with the Schwimmwagen, and the quality of the kit and improvements Dragon introduced a couple of years after the Kubel release, really surprised me. This article aims at offering my view about this kit construction, adding some improvements I considered necessary so as to make a worthy scale model.

Airplanes | 1/48 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building the Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun (typhoon) Eduard 1/48 scale


By Jose Angel García Martin

The subject of this article is the Bf-108 Taifun from Eduard in 1/48 scale “profipac” with PE included and as all the kits from this manufacturer is superb. As I usually do, nearly always start with a simple project but finish overcomplicating things, thus I first thought to cut the nose to leave the engine visible but changed my mind and decided to build my model out of the box. Nowadays there are still several aircraft flying, very appreciated by their pilots due to their quality. The plane I want to represent here, belonged to the Royal Yugoslav Air Force.

COMMENTS

Techniques | Airplanes | 1/48 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building the Eduard Sopwith Triplane 1/48 scale


By Claudio Kalicinski

The kit is Eduard’s Sopwith Triplane (8014). This is one of the earliest of Eduard's 1/48 offerings, dating from 1995, and was the first Eduard kit to not be a limited-run product. It is a mixed media kit and consists of injected molded plastic a large etched fret and a white metal engine and the early horizontal stabilizer, similar to the one used by the Sopwith Pup.

COMMENTS

Techniques | Airplanes | 1/48 Scale | PDF tutorial

Scratchbuilding the Nieuport 6H, 1/48 scale


By Claudio Kalicinski

I decided to scratchbuild this plane after seeing the scale drawings by Mike Fletcher in his web site: The Nieuport Pages. I sent an E-mail to him and he kindly sent me pictures and larger resolution scale drawings. Once I enlarged the plans to 1/48, I noticed how big the plane was....

COMMENTS

Armor | 1/35 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building a Lebanese M41 Walker Bulldog AFV #35041 1/35 scale


By Pablo Raggi

I always liked the Walker Bulldog and I think that the AFV release is a good representation of this American tank. If I haven’t built it before, is because I like vehicles that in one way or another, saw service in the Middle East.

COMMENTS

Techniques | Airplanes | 1/48 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building the Walter Wagner Fw190 A8/R2 - White and captured - from an Eduard kit 1/48 scale


By Jose Angel García Martin

On 1 January 1945, the Fw190 A-8/R2 piloted by Walter Wagner was hit by flak during the attack over St. Trond airfield. The engine died and had to make and emergency landing, and was captured by the USAAF. This aircraft had black/white/black RVT bands to JG 4 and the emblem of the fuselage unit. The aim of this article is to show the two-option scheme of one of the most famous aircraft of the Second World War, Fw190.

COMMENTS

Airplanes | 1/48 Scale | PDF tutorial

Detailing the AM Tech Focke Wulf Ta 183 in 1/48 scale Parts I, II


By Marcelo Scaminaci Russo
Several months ago I was talking with Mario, the editor, and he asked me if I'd be interested in building, a Focke Wulf Ta 183 in 1/48 scale, to be published in Modeler Site. So I've always wanted to build a Huckebein, I said " of course…yes!!!" The kit was sent...

COMMENTS

Armor | 1/35 Scale | PDF tutorial

Converting the Heller AMX-30 to the B2 (Opération Daguet) version, Gulf war 1991 1/35 scale


By Laurent Rolleri

The new kit from Meng is a AMX-30B, and the variant used by the French army in the Gulf War was the AMX-30B2, with some add-ons. Some time ago, Heller had released a limited edition of their AMX-30B kit which included the parts to convert it into a Gulf War tank. In this article, I’ll share with the reader how I built my AMX30-B2.

COMMENTS

Armor | 1/35 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building the AFV Club Flak 18 #35088 1/35 scale


By Eduardo Andreoli

Since time ago, I’ve been building scale models, but I had never built an important artillery piece. This is why I decide to buy an AFV Flak 18 and face this new challenge. To find more motivation, I purchased the Voyager etched parts Ref. 35067.

COMMENTS

Motorcycles | 1/12 Scale | PDF tutorial

Building the Suzuki Hayabusa with fat rear tire, 1/12 scale


By Michael Schneider
Some time ago, Automobilminiaturen offered a wide tire for 1:12 Revell choppers. I intended to use it on a “mean“ Suzuki Hayabusa. The tire wouldn’t fit in the kit rear swing, so I decided to make a one arm swing bar.....

COMMENTS

Armor | 1/35 Scale | PDF tutorial

Improving the Dragon Panzer I ref. #6186 1/35 scale


By Patricio Delfosse
Until this Dragon release, the only alternative to do a Panzer I Ausf B was the old Italeri kit, that though being dimensionally correct, it lacked of certain refinement with regard to details. On the other hand, the tracks from Italeri were a weak point of their kits. All this was easily solved by Dragon. Excellent details, very good tracks and a top-level fit. The Dragon Panzer I is undoubtedly, a XXI century pure class kit due to its quality. In this model in particular, the addition of the Voyager PE improve highly the mudguards and all the tool sets...

COMMENTS

Techniques | Armor | 1/35 Scale | PDF tutorial

An unusual Churchill the Jordanian Mk.VII Tamiya 1/35 scale, ref 35100


By Pablo Raggi

There are two kinds of modelers: those who build all sorts of military vehicles and those who build vehicles from particular theatres, epoch or country. In my case after some time building any vehicle that came to my hands, I decided to devote basically to the Middle East conflicts, especially to the Arab-Israeli. Now well, looking at an old Churchill Mk.VII Crocodrile from Tamiya resting on my showcase, I asked myself what I would do with it. Searching for some information, I found out that there had been Churchills Mk.VII in Irak, and also I saw a picture of a Jordanian Churchill!!!. Shortly after, I knew that this kit would have a promising future in my hands, and not the sad end, the garbage dump...

COMMENTS

Cars | 1/12 Scale | PDF tutorial

Improving the Motormax Diecast Mercedes Benz SLR 1/12 scale


By Yi-Hung Tsai

There are two 1/12 Diecast Mercedes Benz SLR model car products at present. One is the CMC’s SLR, super-detailed and costs 2000 USD, the other, produced by Motormax at a low price 100 USD but poorly detailed. Everybody loves the CMC’s SLR by the splendid details and the spectacular atmosphere it blows, however, when the price is told, nobody would dare to dream to own such an expensive model anymore, and the only word left is “WOW”. So, the second choice, certainly, will be the Motormax’s SLR for its low price but regrets and disappointments appeared.

COMMENTS


 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10... Next

Ultimate guide to super detailing the Tamiya Yamaha YZF-R1M #1413 step by step, 1/12 scale

By Ricardo Gonzalez

When I saw this Tamiya kit, I felt like I could do something special by adding aftermarket detail sets and doing a bit of scratch-building. My goal in writing this tutorial is to share with the reader the work I've done, not only in assembling and super-detailing the model but also in showcasing a customization by changing the look proposed by Tamiya.


Building the Tamiya Mercedes-AMG GT3 #24345 1/24 scale

By Patrick Sedney

Once again, Tamiya delights us with the flawless engineering quality of their scale model, the Mercedes-AMG GT3, which was launched in 2017... or was it? In this tutorial, we will explore the pros and cons of this remarkable replica of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle, created in collaboration with their performance brand, AMG, for various FIA GT3 championships. Customizing it for the 2019 GT World Challenge America Crowdstrike team.


Building the MFH Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Gr.5 1980 #K668 1/12 scale

By Geo Tziafas

Starting a Hiro kit build is essentially starting a game of chess. Each move affects the next and the slightest mistake may cost in fitting or detailing issues. In addition, as in the famous board game, the more moves (test fits) you are ahead the better you can predict the way they will interact with each other and the less likely it is to be checkmated during the final assembly.


Building and customizing the Tamiya Ford Mustang GT4 #24354 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

Basically this kit has been built straight out of the box, using almost all of the parts included in the kit, and small details such as generic photo-etched screw heads have been added. The objective of this tutorial is to share with the reader the steps that I followed to build this model.


Hasegawa Lamborghini Jota SVR (1975) #21214, 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

I built the model straight out of the box, using all the parts included in the kit, and I have added some details in the engine that, although it is not exposed, but it was fun and the work has been reflected in the photos. I added some wires, and generic photo-etched screw heads. These photo-etched parts were also used to detail some other parts of the model. For the paint, a Lamborghini orange tone called Arancio Miura (Gravity Colors Ref. GC-1194) was chosen, and thus, make a different proposal to the red finish proposed by Hasegawa.


Detailing the IXOcollections Mercedes-Benz W196R 1/8 scale, photo array

By Mario Covalski

With this photo array I share with the reader my experience with the model adding many missing details, not all, painting parts and applying plastic modeling techniques to improve the appearance of this expensive model. In addition, solving some problems that the kit has and showing tips and tricks to improve or facilitate its assembly.


Detailing the IXOcollections / Eaglemoss Mercedes 300 SL 1/8 scale, photo array

By Mario Covalski

With this photo array (one picture says more than thousand words sometimes) I share with the reader my experience with the model (I put together two) adding many missing details, not all, painting parts and applying plastic modelling techniques to improve the appearance of this expensive model. Also solving some problems that the kit has and showing tips and tricks to improve or facilitate its assembly.


Building and detailing the Tamiya Honda NSX 2015 #24344, 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

For this tutorial I built the model straight out of the box, and except for some generic decals with logos, I've used almost all of the parts provided in the box. The custom paint scheme was my idea, seeking a harmony of black areas, combined with a metallic dark gray base, alternated with fluorescent red/orange details, a very explosive mix of finishes that gives the model great dynamism. Below I share with the reader the steps I took to assemble the model of this 2015 Honda NSX, starting with the bodywork.


Kitbashing the Tamiya Ferrari F40 photo array 1/24 scale

By Geo Tziafas

We use to publish large tutorials plenty of pictures and large texts, but when I saw these pictures I realized that this probably wouldn't need anything more, sometimes happens. Looking the pictures I understood all the process… besides not always contributors want to spend extra time writing, when already inverted thousand of hours building taking pictures…etc. I hope you enjoy the pictures as I did, thanks Geo!


Customizing the Revell Citröen 2CV 1/24 scale

By David Guardia

The paint scheme I have chosen is based on a World War II plane belonging to the Armée de l'air. The Dewoitine with its beautiful blue color, and the French national flag on the tail. Model building, aviation and classic cars, all in one! The goal of this tutorial is to share the work of making a weathered vehicle in an obvious way, but without getting to what is used nowaday, models that represent destroyed subjects ready for scrap. In addition, the decoration, as if it were a fighter plane, needed abuse effects, but without going to the extreme.



Building the Bandai Gundam MS-06 F ZAKU II 1/100 scale

By David Guardia

The gundam universe. Huge in characters, animation series, books, comics, etc. Based on an animated series, in which humans are at war and use robots for fighting, it contributes to modeling 90% of the models sold. With a great variety of scales, this one, 1/100, is possibly the most “manageable”. At just 14cm tall, these models make for quick projects.


Building the IDF M1 Super Sherman from the Tamiya kit #35322 1/35 scale

By Allon Kira

The kit released on 2011, as expected from a Tamiya's, has a very good parts fit and is easy to build, very accurate and requires almost no putty. Some aftermarket details slightly upgrade the overall look, but are not really necessary. It can certainly be built directly out of the box at the highest level. The only thing that seemed problematic to me were the vinyl tracks. I considered replacing them with metal ones, but after painting I decided that their level of detail was enough.



Building the Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero 1/48 scale

By Allon Kira

The model is characterized by a good level of details and an excellent level of accuracy. The build was done without any special issues. I assembled it directly out of the box except for two minor additions: Eduard WWII seat belts for Japanese aircraft and Eduard canopy mask for A6M3 – EUEX318, although the kit included canopy masks, but I was not aware of the matter when ordering the kit.


Improving the Tamiya Morris Mini Cooper S #24130 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

I built this model under commission for a customer of mine, who asked for a customized sports version, such as the elimination of both bumpers, the hood with forward opening, which allows to show the engine, in addition to other details that will be shown later in the text. As it was a special Mini I decided to write a tutorial including many photos taken during the build and thus share with the reader my experience with this model.



Building the IDF M-113 Medivac from the Tamiya kit #35040 1/35 scale

By Allon Kira

In the 1970s, the IDF equipped itself with a large amount of M-113 APCs, and since then they served in all of Israel's wars and operations, including the Yom Kippur War, Operation Peace for the Galilee, the First Intifada, the Second Intifada, the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead and Operation Protective Edge. This article goals to share with the reader the steps I followed to build a IDF M-113 Medivac from the Tamiya M-113 kit.


Improving the Miniart Mercedes Benz 170V (W136) #35095 1/35 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

I built the Miniart kit in a civil version. It is a model started a few years ago and some of the images that show the assembly process, such as the stage where the interior of the vehicle is detailed, have been damaged and it was impossible to recover them. However, the rest of the process is explained in great detail, and it is my pleasure to share the work done with the readers.


Customizing the Tamiya Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA 1600 #24188 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

In the racing car world, Alfa Romeo is one of the most legendary and mythical Italian name, and each of its vehicles is synonymous with beauty, style, and racing. Precisely, the Giulia Sprint GTA, is the version which this tutorial is dedicated to. A road car, with sporty and personalized characteristics. This is the kind of car that can be found in various classic vehicle activities today.


Improving the Tamiya Jaguar Mk II Saloon 3.8 #24151 1/24 scale

By Edwing E. Merlo Paredes

Although it is an old kit, I always wanted to improve it and finally the opportunity came. It is a high quality kit, with good details, and that lends itself to making some improvements. I share in this tutorial, with the modeler who likes this car, the work done offering many pictures of the process and the necessary explanations.


Superdetailing the Revell Ferrari F2002 1/12 scale

By Mark Laird

I wanted to build the Revell 1/12 Ferrari F2002 for a long time, but I waited until I got extra detail parts, to somehow superdetail it. So in addition to the kit, I procured the Brain Fawcett correction kit, Marlboro decals and the Scale Motorsports super detail kit. The Brian Fawcett correction kit has accurate resin brakes, wheels, spindles, valve covers, additional engine parts, a new transmission and suspension parts all in Resin.


Building the Takom Panzer I (Pz.Kpfw.I) Ausf.A #1008 for R/C 1/16 scale

By Mario Covalski

The Panzer I was a small tank built before the start of WWII .This tutorial aims at sharing with the reader my experience in the construction of this model converting it to radio control, and even will be useful for those who build it as a static model, since the reviews say much about the kit but little about the problems I found.


 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10... Next