The Catacombs Catacombs Reference Library
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models/Modeller

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models was a British magazine for model builders, edited by Mike Reccia and Dave Openshaw. Reccia had previously edited the Anderson fanzine Century 21, and the magazine had a similar format with glossy black and white pages, with increasing colour pages in later issues. It covered model news and articles about building commercial kits, garage kits and scratch-built models. Many TV and movie professionals also wrote for the magazine, notably Martin Bower in most early issues, with Bill Pearson writing numerous articles about Space Precinct.

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models launched in 1994, and ran for 55 bi-monthly issues until 2000. From issue 35 it was renamed Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models International and from issue 48 it became Sci-Fi & Fantasy FX. A book compilation of articles Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models Volume 1 was published in 1996. A spin-off Effects Special from 1998 lasted 2 issues.

It was relaunched in 2006 as Sci-Fi & Fantasy Modeller, as a quarterly with new numbering. This lasted 45 issues, ending in 2017. There were a number of special issues, including two spin-off magazines for Anderson series, Modelling in the 21st Century (3 issues, 2008 - 2010), and 21st Century Modeller (2 issues, 2012-2013)

There have been a number of similarly named titles, notably Science Fiction Modeller (SFM), an Australian fanzine edited by Greg Martin, which ran for 24 issues from 1989 to 1998, and also contained a lot of Anderson themed models.

Science Fiction Modeller 1992 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models #2, 1994

Many issues featured Space: 1999 models (sample pages shown here), from kits or custom builds, but the following issues included significant content.

Issue #2 Moonbase Alpha kit review by Mike Reccia Issue #3 Kit Spotters by Martin Bower Issue #4 Scratchbuilding the Eagle by David Sisson Issue #12 Return To The Future by Martin Bower Issue #13 Return To The Future part 2 by Martin Bower Issue #15 Laser Pistol by Kevin Davies Issue #21 Comet Miniatures Eagle recasting by Bob Gould, Tim Hooper

Issue 11 (March/April 1996) included this blueprint of the Voyager as a pull-out poster. There was another blueprint by Stephen Corbett in issue 13 (the Altares, the same print that appeared in Starlog #58, May 1982).

Issues 12 and 13 (in 1996) of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models featured articles by Martin Bower about the models he built for Space: 1999. article

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models 39

Issue 39 (in 1999, now titled Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models International, 56 pages) was a special Space: 1999 with articles and photos from Phil Rae (article) plus Martin Gainsford (on Andrew Frampton's collection), converting the Ertl (Airfix) kit by E James Small, a history of kits by Jean Christophe Carbonel and scratchbuilds by Don Hayunga and Colin Taylor.

Issue 9 (in 2008) of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Modeller has almost half the 100 pages devoted to 1999, with the original Eagle restoration by David Sisson, and the EagleTransporter.com web forum

In February 2016, a one-off special titled Modelling the Eagle (84 pages), the David Sisson restoration article reprinted, an Brian Johnson interview and articles about the Round 2/MPC 22 inch kit.

Modelling: 1999

In September 2016, a one-off title was Modelling: 1999, with all 100 colour pages devoted to the series. There are articles about original props (James Winch, David Sisson), and replicas.

In issue 43 (2016), an interview with Brian Johnson featuring designs "inspired by" the Eagle, which he was exploring for die-casts and kits.

Space: 1999 copyright ITV Studios Global Entertainment