Thursday, 23 April 2015

Coming Soon To Hobbies - Harley Davidson, Vosper, LaFrance Fire Truck, Royal Carriage, Mini Sub & More


Just some of the exciting new lines coming to Hobbies
(We will add links and dates as they become available).

 

Scale: 1:24
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 335mm
A beautiful detailed Egyptian style carriage, built for Maria Cristina of Borbone, in 1819 for the Carnival gala in Turin.
The Egyptian Carriage kit includes pre-cut wooden features; machine turned wooden spokes and columns; brass decorations; velvet paper for inside covering; brass chains; gilded metal Egyptian figureheads; plans and detailed building instructions.
Scale: 1:6
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 400mm
The FLH Classic was the top model from the world famous Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company.
A great, easy to work with size, offering you great attention to detail, with many metal parts, working suspension, quality decals and real rubber tyres this is the king of all model kits.

 

Length: 140 mm, Height: 50 mm, Beam approx: 38 mm
Max. diving depth: 0.8 m

Go on a diving trip with this small, radio-controlled submarine. The model can be operated without any problems in the bath tub, pond or aquarium. Two red searchlights, RC-function: Right-/left control, traction motors on/off, fill/empty diving tank.


  Vosper MTB

Scale: 1:35
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 630mm
On March 1942, a British amphibious attack was undertaken by Royal Navy and Commandos against the large dry dock at Saint Nazaire, in German occupied France.The operation was successfully done and the dry dock was damaged and unusable until the end of the war.
This stunning example of the Vosper MTB 74 has been recreated in amazing detail by Italeri. The model measures an impressive 655mm in length and contains authentic decals and photo etched parts.

  HMS Nelson

Scale: 1:200
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 1082mm Width: 160mm
The HMS Nelson has lots of history attached to her.  At the outbreak of World War II she was serving as flagship of the Home Fleet. She was active in “Operation Torch” landings in French North Africa, the Allied invasion of Sicily, and the Salerno landing. The Japanese surrender of Malaya was signed aboard the HMS NELSON on September 3rd 1945
This large scale plastic model kit contains over 1260 parts with 18 Sprues. One-piece hull, and One-piece deck with accurately detailed guns. Eight photo etched frets for handrails, ladders, and radar parts etc.

 

Scale: 1:16
Skill Level: Highly Challenging
Length: 438mm, Width: 207mm
The Panzerkampfwagen IV (Pz.Kpfw. IV) Sd Kfz 161, commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during World War II.
The model kit is not for the faint hearted with over 2000 parts spread over 74 styrene sprues, upper hull, lower hull, turret and individual track links; plus metal gun barrel, copper cable, springs, six frets of PE and decals making a magnificent realistic model.

 

Scale: 1:350
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 7203mm, Beam: 101mm
This Aircraft Carrier was commissioned by the US Navy in 1937 and saw service until she was finally sunk in 1942 at the Battle of Midway.
This large scale kit boasts over 800 parts, with full hanger deck details, 5 photo-etch sheets, extensive instructions, full colour painting guide, single piece hull With panelling detail, positional elevators, and includes 3 types of US Navy planes.

TM02506 Trumpeter American LaFRANCE Eagle Fire Pumper 2002
Scale: 1:25
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 366mm, Width: 116mm, Height: 122mm
American LaFrance is one of the best known builders of fire fighting apparatus dating back to the 1870s.This kit represents a pump truck designed by American LaFrance for the College Park, Maryland Volunteer Fire Department.
This 326 piece plastic model kit comes with detailed instructions and painting guide. Photo etch parts for all the diamond plating and grills, decals for College Park E121 and additional numbers and letters, highly detailed engine and chassis, moulded in white chrome, ladders included.



MM63502 Merit Tank Transporter
Scale: 1:35
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 464mm, Width: 82.5mm
For US Armour enthusiasts, this Merit International Tank Transporter includes over 790 plastic parts, photo-etched details, and rubber like tyres. The kit includes new injection parts for Diamond T 981 cab structure & doors, canvas roof and top mount for machine gun • Tank sold seperately.

Battle for Berlin

Scale: 1:72
The Battle of Berlin was the last historical military event of World War II on the European theater. From the middle of April 1945 the Red Army launched a massive offensive along the Oder River line with the final goal to capture the German capital. The battle ended on May 2nd, after intense and fierce fighting in the ruins of the capital of the Reich, ending with the surrender of German troops
Diorama set comprises: Berlin House (51 pieces) & Decals Sheet,2 x T-34/85, Pz.Kpfw.PANTHER Aufs.G Tank, PAK 40 AT gun with crew, 32 German elite troops, 32 Russian infantry, and 96 piece Urban Accessories.

mefistofele


mefistofele model

4701 Italeri Mefistofele 21706cc
Scale: 1:12
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 450mm
The one-off racing car "Eldridge", derived from the old Fiat SB4 chassis, became known as Mephistofele for the infernal noise emitted by its powerful aircraft 6-cylinders in-line engine.
This model, which is unique in terms of technology & accuracy, consists of over
500 pieces to be assembled partially with screws. The bonnet opens to view the highly detailed engine and it has working steering.
soviet battleship marat

Zvezda Soviet Battleship Marat
Scale: 1:350
Length: 527mm
Marat was sunk by German Stukas off Kronshtadt on the 23rd September 1939. But the ship was in shallow water and was raised and was used as a floating Battery.

battle of the bulge

6103 Italeri Battle Of The Bulge Diorama Set
Scale: 1:72
Skill Level: Intermediate
Diorama Base measures: 460x330mm
The Battle of the Bulge (December 1944–January 1945) was a major German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of World War II
The Italeri model kit Includes 50 x German, 50 x Americans, 1 x King Tiger Sd.Kfz.182, 1 x Sherman, plus numerous accessories such as telegraph poles, road signs, sandbags and diorama base.
fiat806

4702 Italeri Fiat 806 1927 Grand Prix
Scale: 1:12
Skill Level: Advanced
Length:  ?
The Fiat 806 was the worlds first single seater Grand Prix car, driven by Bordino. Racing in the 1927 Grand Prix in atrocious conditions, he easily beat the greatest drivers of his day. After winning its first and only race, the 806 was withdrawn by Fiat and destroyed. Fiat never raced again.
peterbilt

3894 Italeri Peterbilt 378-119 Classic
Scale: 1:24
Skill Level: Advanced
Length: 322mm
The Peterbilt Motor Company, which was founded in 1939, is among the most famous American company in the world for the production of medium and heavy trucks. Produced from 1987 to 2007 the Peterbilt 378-119 Classic embodies the "concept" of the classic American truck with the big hood and the important use of chrome exterior. This model comes with upgraded moulds.

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Create a work of art with your scrollsaw and a little imagination

Ask woodworkers or crafters what their favourite scroll saw project is and an overwhelming majority will say Intarsia. Why? Because the craft of Intarsia is fun and easy to learn, requires very few materials, and offers an unlimited range of artistic projects that you’ll proudly display, give as cherished gifts, or even sell at craft fairs.


Intarsia is a woodworking technique using various shapes, sizes, & species of wood which are then fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture that has the illusion of depth. Intarsia is created through the selection of different types of wood, which uses their natural grain pattern and colour to create variations in the pattern, sometimes stain and dyes are used.


Books, such as the Big Book of Intarsia Woodworking or Intarsia Woodworking Projects show inspiring, beautiful designs, created with expert step-by-step instructions along with crisp, colourful photos, detailed patterns, and tips & techniques that guarantee success.



Here are some pages from the Big Book of Intarsia Woodworking which show just some of the inspiring projects from that book, and great examples of what can be achieved.

 


 
A great chart showing different woods, their colours and uses for the purposes of Intarsia can be seen on the Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine website.

 Wood Types and Uses

Saturday, 4 April 2015

Trumpeter Aerosan NKL-16 - Model Making: Learn by Doing. Part One

I'm fairly new to this modelling lark, but its something that i've always had an interest in, and having seen just how good some of these kits can look when they have been painted and made into a diorama setting, I'm always keen to give it a go. I've had a few previous attempts and limited success in the past, but I find I'm learning all the time, and they say 'practise makes perfect'.

First things first, it's important to choose a model to build that you are actually interested in, and want to make. I came across the Trumpeter Soviet NKL-16 Aerosan Kit in Hobbies catalogue, and was intrigued by its appearance. It looked almost unreal, like nothing I had come across before and, with a price under £20, I decided to give it a go.

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/plastic-models/military-/trumpeter-soviet-nkl$916-aerosan-plastic-model-kit

The Trumpeter Soviet NKL-16 Aerosan Kit consists of 151 parts on 9 trees, 86 photo etch detail parts and a short piece of copper wire.

First of all I had to look on Google to see just what these amazing vehicles actually looked like in real-life, and I found photos and read descriptions about how they worked.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aerosan

A further search turned up some dioramas using the aerosan which were hugely inspiring.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1392651763/Red+Dawn+-++NKL+16+Aerosan+w-%26quot%3BTank+%26quot%3B+Scouts

It appears the NKL-16 Aerosan was introduced by the Soviet Union during World War II. It was made of plywood and was powered by an aircraft engine.  Various models were built at car factories, and were always being improved. The Aerosans were organized into transport battalions.

You need a place to work. A laptray in front of the telly is probably not going to work successfully, so in my case, it was the dining room table, with a thick, protective tablecovering over it.
I quickly established that I would need a proper cutting surface, so that my knife didn't end up making holes in the table, so I purchased an inexpensive modellers' tool kit containing small cutting mat, hobby knife & spare blades, a sprue cutter ( so much better than hacking parts from the sprue with the knife), and a small file to 'clean up' the piece.

  Tweezers are also 'essential' for handling 'fiddly' smaller parts. 

Light Craft Fluorescent Daylight Compact Table Standing Magnifier Lamp  not only gives clear, shadow-free light which is easy on the eyes,  it gives perfect magnification allowing you to see smaller parts, making them easier to handle, glue, and paint.





Use the correct glue for the materials you are using.
Roket Rapid (Superglue) is perfect for sticking metal photo-etched pieces to plastic ( as well as the more traditional sticking fingers to forehead), but use Revell Contacta for 'plastic to plastic' applications.




TO BE CONTINUED . . . 

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Spring Price Cuts on Workshop Essentials (valid until 31 May 2015)


These Special Offers & Price Cuts are valid until 31st May 2015 and strictly while stocks last.

Order now to avoid disappointment!

Tormek T-4 Water-Cooled Sharpening System  £319.96 with free SVM-45 Knife Jig (Worth over £31)



Arbortech Contour Sander £67.45 includes Bonus Pack of New Heavy Duty Discs

Proxxon PM 100 Polishing Machine £219.96 with Free Felt Cloth & Microfibre Polishing Discs Worth over £22



Veritas Metric Wheel Marking Gauge £35.95

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

RAF Red Arrows 2015 Display Dates

The RAF Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, is one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams.
Representing the speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force, the Team is the public face of the service.
They assist in recruiting to the Armed Forces, act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom and promote the Best of British.
Flying distinctive Hawk jets, the Red Arrows Team is made up of pilots, engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational, experience.


The RAF Red Arrows have released their 2015 Display Dates
These are not flypasts but the team's actual display, which lasts about 20 minutes. Displays are subject to operational changes, which can occur right up to a scheduled performance.
For more information on individual shows, contact the event organiser or follow the links provided.












MAY

23 May Llandudno Air Show
24 May VE Day Anniversary Air Show Duxford 
25 May Skyforce Launch, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancs
30-31 May Meeting Aérien Solenzara, Corsica, France

June

6 June Växjö Air Show, Smaland Airport, Sweden
7 June Meeting Aérien Tours, France
9 June Isle of Man TT Races (Ramsey Sprint)
9 June Isle of Man TT Races
13 June Biggin Hill Festival of Flight, Kent
14 June RAF Cosford Air Show, Shropshire
19 June Whitehaven Air Show, Cumbria
20 June Barry at War Event, Barry, Glamorgan
20-21 June Weston Air Festival, Weston-Super-Mare
26-28 June Goodwood Festival of Speed
27 June Armed Forces' Day National Event Guildford - Flypast only, not a display
28 June Meeting Aérien Luxeuil, France
29 June Stornoway Port Authority 150th Anniversary, Outer Hebrides

 

July

2 July Cunard 175th Anniversary Display, Southampton, Hants
4 July Santander British F1 Grand Prix Qualifying, Silverstone
4 July US Independence Day Celebrations, Feltwell, Norfolk
5 July Belfast Tall Ships Race
10 July Kent County Show, Detling
11 July RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day
11-12 July Wales National Air Show, Swansea
17-19 July Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford
20 July Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week
24 July America’s Cup World Series Event, Southsea, Hants
24-26 July Sunderland International Airshow
25 July Scotland’s National Airshow, East Fortune

 

August

8 August Newcastle Festival of Flight, Newcastle, County Down
9 August Blackpool Airshow
12 August Minehead Summer Festival, Somerset
12 August Falmouth Week
13 August Cowes Week
14-16 August Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow
15 August Herne Bay Amy Johnson Memorial Airshow, Kent
16 August Combined Ops Show, Headcorn, Kent
19 August Weymouth Carnival, Dorset
19 August British Fireworks Championships, Plymouth
20-23 August Bournemouth Air Festival
22 August Dawlish Air Show
26 August Torbay Royal Regatta
27 August Sidmouth Regatta, Devon
27-28 August Clacton Airshow
28 August Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta
29 August Dunsfold Wings and Wheels
29 August CarFest South,Hants
30 August Rhyl Air Show

 

September

5 September Scottish Airshow, Prestwick
5-6 September Northern Ireland International Airshow, Portrush
6 September Chatsworth Country Fair
9 September Pangbourne
10 September RAFA Guernsey Air Display
10 September Jersey International Air Display
12 September Southend Airshow and Military Festival
12 September Southampton Boat Show
13 September Great North Run, South Shields, South Tyneside
18 September Sanicole International Airshow, Belgium
19-20 September Southport Air Show
20 September Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show, Duxford, Cambridgeshire