As it stands the book is only a couple of days from being completely finished, so by the end of the week I will have page designs for you to look at. After all this work I really hope you like what you see and that you are suitably inspired to buy a copy for your library!
14th April 2025
Back to work after the weekend, today has been all about my new Skyhawk book, its design and release over the next few weeks.
Most of the book is now done, so I will be offering it for presale this Friday, 18th of April. Over the last month or so I’ve been compiling a list of modellers who wanted to reserve a copy of the book, so this will be the chance as has been the case with all of my other books, to complete your print to order purchase.
Those that are unsure of how I go about selling these very limited edition books, each is printed for each individual purchase. I don’t overprint books and never hold stocks, so if you do want a copy, please check in on Friday where you will be able to complete your purchase. Those confirmed orders will all then be sent to the printers and posted out in May upon their return. As it stands I am planning to limited the number as I did last time to an initial run of 150 copies, so if you will have to be quick if you want to secure yours! Once they are gone, they are gone, until it makes sense to offer a reprint some time down the road.
If you would like to reserve a copy, please email me at the following address:
Along with working in the design of the book, I had to take some new shots of the Trumpeter 1/32 A-4E.
When I first photographed it, the overall shots were against a white background, which washed out the finish more than I would have liked. Having seen how nice the Magic Factory images turned out, I was keen to replicate them, so took a new set of completed shots which I hope will look better once printed! I certainly think they do and although the finish still looks very pale (as indeed it should!) the model pops way more against the blue than it did against the white.
This is always an issue with models that I build. Ultimately my rather bizarre job is to convert three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional images that work on a page. Outside of that world, the models are kinda worthless, everything I build being seen almost exclusively in print. It’s a weird way of looking at it I appreciate, but that’s just the way it is, so if the images don’t work, I’m kinda in trouble! In this case, I’d been rather subtle with my paintwork, so that made the finish a little flat. White, though often preferred as a background for designers, had in this case really flattened the finish further and killed the saturation, so the model look dead. Wanting colour on the page that would work with the rest of the models, I decided to bin those images and start afresh, the image you see above being one that I took this morning.
Unfinished design sample, not for publication.
As it stands the book is only a couple of days from being completely finished, so by the end of the week I will have page designs for you to look at. After all this work I really hope you like what you see and that you are suitably inspired to buy a copy for your library!
BATTLE OF BRITAIN FAVOURITES RETURN ONCE MORE TO THE AIRFIX RANGE...
A04702 WWII RAF Ground Crew
Coming in full ground support at a skill level 1, the 1/48 scale WWII RAF Ground Crew figures set is brought back to the range since its first release in 2015 as a new mould. Composing of eight ground crew figures, two pilot figures, all with with multiple options for different posing part. Amongst the figures, the RAF Ground Crew set also features an oil bowser, trolley accumulator, ammunition trolley and other miscellaneous support equipment, and even an airfield dog. The average figure height is 36mm, with the set totalling to 108 parts, perfect for those 1/48 scale WWII airfield dioramas.
A50173A Battle of Britain – Gift Set
A Gift Set fit for the commemoration of the Battle of Britain, this 1/72 scale kit has joined their 2025 range once again. Featuring four aircraft that fought during the Battle of Britain, this Gift Set also includes a display stand allowing you to present all four models in airborne poses, along with all the necessary acrylic paints, poly cement and brushes to complete the build.
• Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 – Length: 120mm, Width: 137mm, Parts: 44
• Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia – Length: 126mm, Width: 156mm, Parts: 36
• Hawker Hurricane Mk.I – Length: 133mm, Width: 169mm, Parts: 51
• Heinkel He111P-2 – Length: 226mm, Width: 312mm, Parts: 151
A03312 Albion 3-Point Fueller
Ready to refuel and filling in at a skill level 2, the 1/48 scale Albion 3-Point Fueller is brought back to life within the Airfix range, resurrected for those who missed its first (and only) debut in 2015 as it was first introduced as a new mould. The kit includes the original scheme from the 2015 release; and once built it measures a total width of 45mm and 118mm in length, containing 113 parts. Featuring poseable doors and fuelling lines, this vehicle is perfect for a 1:48 scale airfield diorama.
A03313A WWII 15-cwt 4×2 G.S. Truck
Rolling in at a skill level 2, the 1:48 scale WWII 15-cwt 4 x 2 G.S. Truck is joining the 1/48th scale range once again after its first appearance to the Airfix range as a new mould back in 2014. The kit includes the original two schemes from the 2014 release; and once built it measures a total width of 41mm and 89mm in length, containing 95 parts. Featuring a poseable rear door, engine detail, poseable bonnet and optional fabric cover, this vehicle is perfect for a 1:48 scale airfield diorama.
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: THREE MORE POINTS AT HOME…
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: CHRISTMAS DAY
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: CHRISTMAS BEGINS!
I’m looking forward to seeing you in the PL. Hopefully Brentford will still be there.🤞
Dear Spencer! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you, Liz, and your family. It was great to meet up with…
Merry Christmas to you and your, 2025!
Merry Christmas to you and family Spencer and a blessed New Year.
Hi Spencer have a great Christmas for you and your family. And a fruitful and a happy New year. Tom
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
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