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.

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: info@beyondtheboxart.com
🔗 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

🎉 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: info@beyondtheboxart.com
🔗 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/