Ach! My pleasure is spoiled!

[Yertis]

I've just introduced my youngest daughter to the joys of modelmaking and supercars by way of the Revell 288 GTO (don't bother, it's a rubbish kit, I'm going to buy myself the Fujimi one instead). I've not touched scale modelling for years, apart from a few false starts.

Horror! The formula used for the paints and glues seems to have changed since 1980. The glue smells like nail varnish remover and the paint smells of... I don't know, some sort of solvent, not at all how I remember Humbrol smelling. It dries too quickly now, and doesn't flow or cover very well.

Does anyone when/why this happened, and if it's still possible to buy the proper stuff, like Liquid Poly 70?

of Somerset.

[Eric Mc]

There has been a revolution in model technology since 1980. There are now lots of alternatives to the old Humbrol enamels. The big change has been in the use of acrylics - which are almost odourless and can be thinned with water.

Also, the use of automotive acrylic based aerosol paints, such as those sold by Halfords, is worth a look - especially for car models.