
Show Notes
Ever wondered what goes on beyond those enticing box art images? Join us for the first episode of "Beyond the Box Art," your new scale modelling podcast hailing from the UK! In this debut, we confess our modelling origin stories (prepare for tales of glue-covered fingers and misplaced decals!), discuss the projects currently consuming our spare time, and ponder the age-old question: just how many shades of grey are there?
More from Beyond The Box Art®
Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 40 IPMS Connect Goes Global, Fischkopp's Big Reveal & Telford 2026! SEO Title: Beyond The Box Art® Episode 40 | IPMS Connect Launch, Fischkopp Stranraer & Scale ModelWorld 2026 Meta Description: Episode 40 launches IPMS Connect with IPMS USA, reveals Fischkopp's Supermarine Stranraer from SMC Eindhoven and previews Scale ModelWorld Telford 2026.
Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 39 Cars, Competitions & Chairman Wong! SEO Title: Beyond The Box Art® Episode 39 | Automotive Modelling, IPMS Competitions & Bolton 2027 Meta Description: Episode 39 explores automotive scale modelling with Rich Middleton and Matty's Custom Scale, IPMS competition advice from Andy Brown, Bolton 2027 and the final IPMS Dispatches. Hiya Benchmates — Episode 39 has landed! This time we're finally giving automotive modelling some proper attention. Joining us are IPMS(UK) President Rich Middleton and our new automotive Stash Inflation reporter, Matty from Matty's Custom Scale, to ask why cars and motorcycles sometimes seem to sit apart from the wider scale modelling hobby — and whether automotive modellers get the recognition they deserve. More importantly, we look at what aircraft, armour, ship and sci-fi modellers can learn from car builders, particularly when it comes to surface preparation, paint, polishing and achieving those intimidatingly flawless finishes. Apparently, covering the mistakes with mud isn't always an option. Dan is understandably concerned.
Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 38 From Red to Yellow! Heller/Glow2B, DBMK update, VMZ2026 and the Return of a Missing Benchmate! Hiya Benchmates — Episode 38 has landed! After joining James Skiffins and Malcolm Childs for a very special farewell to Just Making Conversation in our last episode, we're back to business as usual - though with a little JMC magic thrown in! Well, as close to business as usual as things ever get around here. This time, we're catching up with some familiar faces from the modelling industry, looking ahead to an international online modelling competition and welcoming back a member of the Beyond The Box Art® team who has finally managed to escape the clutches of his work roster! We're joined by Dale Luckhurst, who has swapped red for yellow in his new role as Brand Manager for Heller, part of Glow2B, to talk about his new position and what the future holds for this iconic model kit manufacturer. Will Packard from DBMK returns to bring us up to speed on developments since the release of their much-anticipated 1/32 Sea Fury earlier this year, including progress on some exciting upcoming projects. We also welcome Tim Holland from Modellers Without Borders, who joins us to talk about VMZ2026, their second annual online modelling competition, and how modellers from around the world can get involved. And, of course, the Stash Inflation Report returns with another collection of new releases, aftermarket accessories and completely unnecessary temptations. But perhaps the biggest surprise of all... Martin Drayton is back! Yes, after what feels like an eternity of conflicting work rosters, the planets have finally aligned, and Martin rejoins the Benchmates from his home in sunny Utah. We were beginning to think he'd changed his phone number.
Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 37 Just Making Conversation — Episode nealry, almost 100ish! with James Skiffins & Malcolm Childs Hiya Benchmates — Episode 37 has landed! After heading onto the tabletop with Jamie Tranter and Paul Regan to explore the huge world of wargaming in our last episode, this time we're doing something rather different. In fact, this episode isn't simply another edition of Beyond The Box Art®. It's two modelling podcasts sitting down together, sharing a few stories, looking back over nearly six years of broadcasting... and making one last conversation. We're joined by James Skiffins and Malcolm Childs, the voices behind Just Making Conversation, for a very special joint episode celebrating the show, the friendship behind it and everything that happened along the way. And yes... There may be a reason James and Malcolm appear to have arrived carrying their possessions tied inside red-spotted hankies on sticks.
Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 36 Wargaming with Jamie Tranter & Paul Regan Hiya Benchmates — Episode 36 has landed! After heading behind the scenes of Scale Model Challenge with Robert and Margot Crombeecke in our last episode, this time we're turning our attention to another enormous part of the wider modelling world. We're putting down the instruction sheets, reaching for the dice and venturing onto the tabletop as we explore the world of wargaming. Whether you're already an experienced gamer, enjoy painting figures and building scenery, or have always wondered what happens once all those armies are finally finished, this episode offers a fascinating look at where modelling, gaming and storytelling meet.