Model Kits

The racing Mini proved its potential by dominating races held in 1964 & 65. It won the 1967, 1300cc class title in the British Saloon Car Championships (BSCC), the 1968 European Touring Car Challenge, and again clinched the BSCC title that same year. With its many track and rally successes, the Mini Cooper is a true motorsports gem.

The M-41 type tank was greatly improved since its first model appeared in the Korean War and because of its light weight and compactness in size, this type tanks were placed mainly with the mechanized cavalry regiment of the U.S. Mechanized Division, as light tanks available for air transportation.

The Sturmgeschuetz (storm or assault gun) was developed in the 1936-39 period to provide armoured support for the infantry. This came about largely because the new tanks being produced were destined for the panzer (armoured) divisions. In a battlefield situation there was no guarantee that tanks from an armoured division would be available to support the infantry. Thus the idea of the assault gun regiment organic to an infantry division came about. The new assault gun developed was based on the Panzerkampfwagen III Designated Strumgeschuetze III, the assault gun had a low superstructure with its main armament mounted in the superstructure front and given limited travers. Pre-production vehicles were battle-tested in the invasion of France in May 1940, and then ordered into large scale production.

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier astounded the world with its unique ability to take-off and land vertically utilizing vectored thrust from its powerful 8000kg thrust engine. First tested in concept in 1960, the aircraft went through many periods of testing and modification prior to acceptance by the Royal Air Force and other nations in 1974. The production Harriers utilized either a Pegasus 6 or 11 engine of 8000 or 9750kg thrust and it was only natural that the Royal Navy should find application for this type of aircraft with their fleet air arm. Various political and financial considerations delayed the order for the "Navalized" Harrier until May 1975, when the Admiralty ordered an initial 24 aircraft plus one T.Mk.4's in 1980.

The basic design came from Sir Alec Issigonis, a British subject from Greece, in 1959. To that John Cooper, of racing fame souped up the engine and it was so well received by the B.M.C. (British Motor Company) that they produced it in quantity, giving it the name of Morris Mini Cooper, and therein lies the saga of the Monte Mini. Initially, the Morris Mini was a comfortable, compact, about the town, automobile, that was easy to drive and park. It could carry four large English gentlemen with ease or four rather stout English Women. It has a top speed of about 87 mph, but it could out perform the great Porsches.

Tamiya 1:20 Lotus 49 Car

Tamiya Ebbro 1:20 Lotus Type 72E 1973 (Black & Gold) Car

This fantastic kit from Tamiya Ebbro accurately recreates the real life classic British racing car- the  Lotus Type 72E

 Requires paint and glue to complete

Tamiya 1:24 Citroen 2CV Fourgonette Van

Tamiya 1:350 Japanese Battleship Musashi

The Musashi was the second ship in the Yamato-class which were the largest battleships ever built. Completed in 1942, the Musashi took part in various campaigns before finally meeting her fate at the hands of U.S. Navy aircraft in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Tamiya's precision-made assembly kit model recreates this giant battleship in exquisite detail, including her defensive anti-aircraft suite of numerous single 25mm cannons on the main deck. This different anti-aircraft armament makes for an interesting comparison with the Yamato. Tamiya rereleased Musashi in 1981 and this great model kit is available again with new mast parts.

Tamiya 1:350 Japanese Battleship Yamato

With many revolutionary features incorporated into her design, the Yamato was completed in December 1941, and met her final fate at the hands of American Navy carrier aircraft in the South China Sea while on a one way mission to Okinawa. This model features minor modifications to Tamiya's previous Yamato replicas Items 78002 and 78014, and has her looking as she did just prior to departing for her final mission, in an exquisite 1/350 scale assembly kit display model. The Yamato's massive imposing silhouette is accurately reproduced, and both the main gun turrets and secondary armament turrets can be rotated even after assembly.