Constant Scale ends its twenty-second volume, and 2023, with issue 88 now available from the Airfix Collectors’ Club.

Offering 32 A4 pages with 12 in colour behind a cover featuring Adam Tooby’s artwork for the A04066 Messerschmitt Me410A-1/U2 & U4 box Hornby Hobbies Airfix kit, issue 86 includes an article by longtime downthetubes contributor Jeremy Briggs on the history of the Humber Oil Company/Humbrol factory site at Marfleet in Hull, from its 1947 origins, via Humbrol’s purchase of Airfix in 1986, to the closure of the site in 2006 when Hornby Hobbies bought the two brands and moved them to Margate in Kent.

“Humbrol’s former Technical Director at Marfleet, Charles Hunter, helped out with the article,” Jeremy tells us, “and annotated a 1979 aerial publicity photo with what all the multitudinous site buildings were used for.”

Also in this issue are features such as “Confessions of a Tank Modeller”, in which Richard Thorpe reminisces over his plastic modelling history; “WonderWorks at the Hornby Visitor Centre”, a review of the HVC’s regeneration at Margate, and “Airfix Oddities”, an examination of the kits that were not popular on their initial release but now command high prices amongst collectors, both items by Jeremy Brook; “Airfix’s Miniature Armies”, in which Clive Montellier relives his interest in the HO/OO soldiers and airmen – and points out the lack of sailors; and, in “Xmas Modelling 1958”, using a copy of Aeromodeller from December 1958, Stephen Chidlow and Jeremy Brook compare the adverts from Airfix, Frog, Kleeware, Revell, Aurora and Lindberg.

The issue also includes model building features and new release kit reviews and a review of Simon Clark’s Toy Soldiers book, published by Crowood Press in September. too.

Constant Scale issue 88 is only available from the Airfix Collectors’ Club. Back issues, both print and e-copies, are also available. The club subscription for 2024 has not changed from 2023 and is £20 UK, £30 Europe, and £35 ROW. More details about the club and how to join are available on its website – airfixcollectorsclub.co.uk

• Airfix A04066 Messerschmitt Me410A-1/U2 & U4 Kit Details

• Artist Adam Tooby is online at artstation.com/adamtooby

• The WonderWorks in Margate is an immersive experience inspired by the UK’s best known hobby brands – Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, Corgi and Pocher, a great attraction for the speed freak, engine geek, model train hobbiest in the attic, or James Bond car fanatic. Web: wonderworksmargate.co.uk | Facebook | Instagram

• Toy Soldiers by Simon Clark (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)

Toy soldiers have played a significant role in the history of toys since the days of ancient Egypt, reflecting real-world realities of the times in which they were produced. Written as a primer for toy soldier collectors, both new and experienced, as well as for those wishing to relive childhood memories, this highly illustrated volume conveys the reader from the early origins of toy soldiers to the so-called ‘golden age’ of the 1930s, then through the austerity of World War Two and early post-war years to the plastic revolution of the 1960s. It moves on to look at the reintroduction of the traditional toy soldier in the 1980s and 90s and the emergence of the bespoke military miniature and commercial connoisseur ranges by the likes of King & Country, First Legion and similar makers, before ending with a brief examination of the future of the toy soldier. Brief histories of the major toy soldier makers both past and present are included, and most of their most prominent products are examined and evaluated in some detail. Useful hints on identifying and buying toy soldiers, as well as practical information on the storage and display of your toy soldier collection, how to start a collection and where to buy toy soldiers are also included in this meticulously researched work.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: downthetubes News, Magazines, Merchandise, Other Worlds

Tags: Adam Tooby, Airfix Collectors' Club, Constant Scale, Hornby Hobbies, Jeremy Briggs, Jeremy Brook