FineScale Modeler

Tamiya has rereleased its 1/24 scale Nissan Skyline Sedan 2000 Turbo GT-ES plastic model kit, which debuted in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) in August 1981. Produced until 1985, the R30 Skyline was offered as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe, station wagon, and a short-lived five-door hatchback. Exterior colors included red, yellow, white, and four metallic finishes: black, gun gray, silver, and bright red. Interior trim was available in two color schemes depending on the exterior finish.

Manufacturer: SonicMax Status: Live on Kickstarter, launched August 11, 2026, $115,000+ pledged, 840+ backers, 16 days to go Pricing: Early Bird $119 / Standard Kickstarter $149 / Planned retail $215 Credit: SonicMax Labs Note: The SonicMax Slice 10 is a cordless ultrasonic cutter designed for makers, model builders, and 3D printing enthusiasts, combining ultrasonic precision with extended runtime and active cooling.

In this FSM Weekly, the FineScale Modeler staff looks inside new kits and products from Tamiya, AMT, Roden, and Brand Z, finds ways to minimize hand tremors at the workbench, and wraps up the episode by showing exclusive footage from the IPMS USA Nationals 2026 model show!

Skip to content Show Gallery Nimcon 14 model contest photo gallery Jeff Spitza, Crystal Lake, Illinois Jeff’s Takom 1/32 scale Horten Ho 229 flies over the Pacific made from spare pine wood with a brass stand. He added armor plating and a night fighter cockpit to the jet and painted with Real Colors, Tamiya, and Mr. Hobby paints. He added freehand camo, post-shading, and Flory washes.

Skip to content Show Gallery WonderFest Hobby Expo scale model show gallery Annya Shetinina, Fridley, Minnesota These chibi figures look like they leapt out of their animated movies thanks to Annya. She put the 3D-printed Nomnom figures of Tod from The Fox and The Hound and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, painted with acrylics and shaded with pastels, into crystal globes after placing them on cork and 3D-printed bases.

Once again, the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, hosted the NNL North scale model car show. Organized by the RPM Model Club, builders from all over the Midwest displayed models in a range of categories, including muscle cars, lowriders, street machines, and hot rods. As all NNL shows, the event was not judged, although recognitions were presented for People’s Choice, Top Ten, Best Junior, and Best Competition Vehicle.

A welcome update, the new Tamiya 1/35 scale Schwimmwagen Type 166 (Wide Wheel Version) plastic model kit retains the charm of the original (first produced in 1998) while adding modern details, new figures, and wide wheels. This kit includes parts from the original Type 166 kit along with two new sprues that include brand new figures (one standing, the other seated), wheels and tires, and small details, like a shovel, oar, panzerfaust, MG 34, and an optional covered windshield.

RELATED TOPICS: FSMW | FINESCALE MODELER WEEKLY | NEW PRODUCTS | GROUND TEXTURE | NNL MILWAUKEE In this FSM Weekly, the FineScale Modeler staff looks inside new kits and products from Tamiya, ICM, Peko Publishing, and MPC, tests out texture rollers on two part epoxy putties and other modeling mediums, and wraps up the episode with exclusive footage from the tables of NNL Milwaukee!

Resulting from an agreement between the French manufacturer Aérospatiale and the Italian manufacturer Aeritalia, the ATR-42 combined concepts from the AS 35 and AIT 230 designs for a regional airliner to compete with the British HS.748 and the Fokker F-27.

RELATED TOPICS: FSMW | FINESCALE MODELER WEEKLY | NEW KIT REVIEWS | POUNCE WHEELS | LETTER TO THE EDITOR In this FSM Weekly, the FineScale Modeler staff looks inside new kits and products from Tamiya, ICM, Helion, and AMT, jumps on using pounce wheels to make rivets, and wraps up the episode by reading a letter from a modeler and fan to the FSM Staff!