Scale Plastic & Rail

Albion Alloys - UK Importer and Distributor for Zoukei-mura

Zoukei-Mura – Latest (and Very Good) News
UK Distributor - Albion Alloys 

It was just after 6pm and I had just returned home. The telephone was ringing and it was Matthew John, the model making Product Manager of Albion Alloys. For some time now Albion Alloys have been producing precision slide fit tubing in micro scale sizes along with similar sized rod and other very practical modelling goodies that collectively (and individually!) help to make our hobby a joy.

I have known Matthew for about three years now and even helped out on his stand at Telford the year before last in order that he could take a well-earned break to have a look around the show. I think his company have just about recovered from my efforts!

I digress – Matthew sounded very excited, and so he should be, as he informed me that Albion Alloys had just been appointed the official UK importer of Zoukei-Mura model products (ZM). Wow! Evidently Matthew has been talking to ZM for some time about this possibility (Albion Alloys were already supplying products to the ZM parent company, Volks) and details of the deal were generally finalised while ZM were in attendance at the recent IPMS Telford show.

Although things are at a very early stage, Matthew is making arrangements for certain dealers to supply the kits. As I type this report, kits can be ordered through Relish Models (www.relishmodels.co.uk). Other traders are in the pipe line, so watch this space.

If you fancy one of those mouth-watering Skyraiders, Graham at Relish Models is your man. LSA Models and eModels will also stock these kits. There are also very limited supplies of the Focke Wulf Ta 152H-1 and, if you are very quick, the even rarer Shinden, which was ZM's very first entry into the model aircraft market. Only three model types have appeared so far, the Shinden, the Ta 152 and the Skyraider, but I just happen to know there some other very interesting models on the horizon, so no wonder Matthew was excited.

Shinden, built by James Hatch (non-standard finish), on display at Volks HQ, Kyoto

Model built by James Hatch, featured in Zoukei-mura 'Concept Note' book

Although the ZM kits come very highly detailed if you build straight from the box, super detailers out there will be pleased to know that Matthew is also importing the Photo Etched accessory packs to accompany the kits.

My thanks to Matthew at Albion Alloys for this news, and we at Scale Plastic and Rail wish him and his company all the very best in this very important venture. More news on this subject will be published here as and when it happens.

Albion Alloys Limited, Spacemaker House, 518 Wallisdown Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH11 8PT

01202 511232 www.albionalloys.co.uk