Beyond The Box Art®

In this episode of Beyond The Box Art®, we're joined by one of the most quietly influential names in modern scale modelling — Petr Herrmann of ArtScaleKit (ASK).
Coming to us from the Czech Republic, Petr (joined by his son Petr Jnr) talks us through how ASK began, why so many of their aftermarket masks exist because something annoyed him at the bench, and how real-world modelling experience continues to drive everything they design. English may not be Petr's first language, but the passion, humour and insight come through loud and clear — with Petr Jnr helping translate along the way.
We also get into the thinking behind some of ASK's best-known products, the importance of practical problem-solving, and yes… the unexpected modelling uses for Zippo lighter fluid (not that kind).
Elsewhere in the episode, we're joined by friend of the show Luke Slaney-Hewitt from Revell, as the 2026 range is revealed at the 75th Anniversary Nürnberg Toy Fair at 16:00 UTC on the 27th January — which is why this episode has droped a little earlier than usual.
Add in the usual bench-side banter, a healthy dose of Stash Inflation, and the odd wander off-topic, and you've got another classic BTBA episode.
So grab a brew, move the extra thin out of harm's way, and settle in.
This is Episode 20 of Beyond The Box Art®. Models. Modellers. Meaning.

🎉 Happy New Year, Benchmates! 🎉 Welcome to Season 2 of Beyond The Box Art® — and we're kicking off 2026 exactly how we mean to go on… loudly, enthusiastically, and surrounded by brilliant people.
After surviving the festive fallout of leftover turkey, mince pies, and suspiciously stalled bench progress, we're back with a proper New Year special stacked with guests, news, and a few surprises along the way.
🔹 Joining us first is modelling extraordinaire Jon Tabinor, magazine editor at our newest sponsors Guideline Publications. Jon steps in as guest host for the episode and gives us an exclusive rundown of what's coming across the full Guideline titles in the February issues — plus the thinking behind them.
🔹 We're also joined by the one and only Pod-father himself — Dave Goldfinch from On The Bench, the original scale modelling podcast. Dave dives into the realities of starting and running a show, the state of the hobby, and his uncanny ability to predict kit announcements… sometimes before the manufacturers even realise they've announced them.
🔹 And because it's New Year… we've saved something special. We're joined by the Managing Director of Kōtare - Mark Robson, giving us an update on their latest developments — only that's not actually why they were invited on. All is revealed when they're announced as the winner of the Beyond The Box Art® Benchmates Kit of the Year 2025 🏆
So… clear a space on your bench, put your feet up, grab a brew — 🚀 BTBA 2026 starts NOW.
Happy New Year, everyone.
— Brownie & the Beyond The Box Art® team
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Website: www.beyondtheboxart.com
Show sponsors:
AMMO by Mig Jimenez: www.ammo.es 
Fischkopp Model Company: https://www.fischkoppcompany.de/
Guideline Publications: https://www.guidelinepublications.co.uk/ 
Phase Hangar Resin Accessories: https://phasehangarresin.com/
Matters of Scale: https://mattersofscale.com/
The Scale Modellers Supply: https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/ 

Useful Links:
IPMS UK: www.ipmsuk.org 
Scale ModelWorld 2026: https://ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld/
Mach Models YouTube: YouTube@machmodels
Scale Modelling Now: http://www.scalemodellingnow.com 
Inside The Armour: https://www.insidethearmour.com/
Bolton Show: https://boltonmodelclub.co.uk/show/ 
Kōtare Models: https://www.kotare-models.com/

Hiya Benchmates,
Airfix have revealed their 2026 range — and there are some serious surprises in store. From new tool announcements to long-awaited favourites, we break down what modellers really need to know.
We're also joined by Carl Robertshaw and Christopher Mercer from Fischkopp, diving deep into extreme Spitfire super-detailing — pushing plastic to museum-level realism with advanced aftermarket techniques, engineering insight, and hard-won bench wisdom.
Alongside the main feature, we've got all the usual Beyond The Box Art® goodness: ✦ Stash Inflation Report ✦ Bench chat & community natter ✦ What's catching our eye at the workbench
If you love Airfix, Spitfires, and taking your builds far beyond the instructions — this one's for you.
We also chat with Bolders and Wongy about our local IPMS show in Bolton on the 25th January,
at the Toughsheet stadium Bolton - details on the show in the show(!) and available here:
https://boltonmodelclub.co.uk/show/ Where you will be able to SEE what Airfix have announced as they are attending (along with Revell!)

We also have our normal chat for which we are joined by our Gundam expert Shane and the return of Luke Flynn from Mach Models on the back of his recent Tamiya F14D build video.

PLUS! Although the range announcements from Airfix dropped the day before this episode went live, we through cation to the wind and recorded a special addition to the Stash Inflation Report with all the new release news!
So… clear a space on your bench, put your feet up, grab a brew — 🚀 BTBA Episode 19 starts NOW!
Brownie & the Beyond The Box Art® team
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Website: www.beyondtheboxart.com
Show sponsors:
AMMO by Mig Jimenez: www.ammo.es 
Fischkopp Model Company: https://www.fischkoppcompany.de/
Guideline Publications: https://www.guidelinepublications.co.uk/ 
Phase Hangar Resin Accessories: https://phasehangarresin.com/
Matters of Scale: https://mattersofscale.com/
The Scale Modellers Supply: https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/ 

Useful Links:
IPMS UK: www.ipmsuk.org 
Scale ModelWorld 2026: https://ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld/
Mach Models YouTube: YouTube@machmodels
Scale Modelling Now: http://www.scalemodellingnow.com 
Inside The Armour: https://www.insidethearmour.com/

Bolton Show: https://boltonmodelclub.co.uk/show/
Airfix: http://www.airfix.co.uk  
Kōtare Models: https://www.kotare-models.com/ 
Pondstones: Http://www.Pondstones.co.uk

Ho Ho Ho Benchmates! 
Welcome to the festive episode for Beyond The Box Art®, and boy have we got a christmas cracker for you!!!

We are joined by Ethan goodbody from BBC1 TV's recent series The Marvellous Miniature Workshop talking about the show and scale modelling of a slightly different type than we are used too.

Our main guest (for the whole episode) is Geoff Coughlin who talks about all aspects of the hobby & scalemodellingnow.com plus so much more with the BTBA team including Spencer Pollard & Martin Drayton.

We also chat with Julian from the IPMS Farnborough branch about the formation of the branch in 1975 and the history of the branch up to date along with a few surprising twists!

We have our normal Stash Inflation Report plus our bench chat all with added tinsel and fairey lights!

Plus the show closes out with something special and appropriate!

Between Christmas & New Year we will be online for a special bench chat non-recorded session LIVE, so jump on as we are at our benches, meet some of the team and have a chat!

As we said in episode 16, we are not taking a break so our next episode will be on the 1st January 2026, with Jon Tabinor from Guideline Publications and Mark Robson from Kotāre Models

Till then, have a great Christmas, and keep an eye on our socials (Facebook etc) for the live link to join and have a natter (it's free of charge so why wouldn't you!)

Happy Christmas one and all

Brownie & the BTBA team


📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Website: www.beyondtheboxart.com
Show sponsors:
AMMO by Mig Jimenez: www.ammo.es 
Fischkopp Model Company: https://www.fischkoppcompany.de/
The Scale Modellers Supply: https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/ 
Phase Hangar Resin Accessories: https://phasehangarresin.com/
Guideline Publications: https://www.guidelinepublications.co.uk/
Matters of Scale: https://mattersofscale.com/

Useful Links:
IPMS UK: www.ipmsuk.org 
Scale ModelWorld 2026: https://ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld/
Mach Models YouTube: @machmodels
Mon Studios (Ethan Goodbody): www.monstudios.co.uk
Scale Modelling Now: http://www.scalemodellingnow.com 
Inside The Armour: https://www.insidethearmour.com/
 BBC iPlayer - Marvellous Miniature Workshop:  
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002n1pj/the-marvellous-miniature-workshop

Hiya BenchMates!
We're back with Episode 16, and it's another corker!
We are joined by Stewart from the Black Hat Scale Models YouTube channel and Facebook group – talking AFV's; Scale Model Challenge in Eindhoven which he visited with Martin Drayton & they recall some of the events highlights plus a big surprise with whats coming next from this AFV modeller!!!
We have our 1st IPMS branch spotlight – talking with Chairman Wong (In Hong Kong!) about the Bolton branch and the upcoming show in January.
👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your modelling fix!
Got a topic you'd like us to tackle, or a question for the team? Drop us a line at [email protected] — we might just read it out on the next show!
Until next time — from Brownie and the BTBA crew — keep well, keep modelling, and remember: you're part of our Benchmates family :-D
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Website: www.beyondtheboxart.com
Show sponsors:
AMMO by Mig Jimenez: www.ammo.es 
Fischkopp Model Company: https://www.fischkoppcompany.de/
The Scale Modellers Supply: https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/ 
Phase Hangar Resin Accessories: https://phasehangarresin.com/
Guideline Publications: https://www.guidelinepublications.co.uk/
Matters of Scale: https://mattersofscale.com/

Useful Links:
IPMS UK: www.ipmsuk.org 
Scale ModelWorld 2026: https://ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld/
Mach Models YouTube: @machmodels
Inside The Armour: https://www.insidethearmour.com/
Black Hat Scale Models – facebook.com/black.hat.scale.models