A Sober Note of History in an Otherwise Pleasant Corner

Whilst perusing my handy map book looking for another place of modelling interest and how to get there I noticed a very small note:

'HS of Japanese Propaganda Dept HQ'

Strangely I'd already been past this spot a fair few times on my way to STORM DOMAIN and M Workshop. I'd noted the incredible SOTA Building, and what looked like a very nice facade from an art deco cinema.

I was in the area again today so I decided to take a look. I found no wartime ruins or memorial, just a simple but very informative sign:

The building as it was then:

And now:

A small reminder of the tragic and severe occupation of this small nation from 1942 to 1945 in a place that is now peaceful and optimistic

Orchard Store - Orchard (UPDATED 5th June 2012)

Orchard Store, Kramat Road, Orchard - (UPDATED 5th June 2012)
OK, so sorry its been so long guys, but here is another store for our list; the venerable Orchard Store.

Orchard Store has been supplying modellers in Singapore since 1953, a pedigree longer than any model store I have visited before so far as I know!

The Orchard Store carries a range of kits and caters to a range of customers. Their stock includes:

- Aircraft Kits
- Armour Kits
- Gundam/ Mecha
- Cars and Motorcyle kits
- Remote Control

- Railway

- Paint, mostly Tamiya and Testors (the only place in Singapore I have seen Testors)

- Tools and putties

- Aftermarket including Elefant, Rubio and Accurate Armour

- Books on Modelling and Armour/ Aircraft

To be honest, a lot of the kits are older kits and brands include Tamiya, Italeri and so on. Although last time I visited I got a very good deal on the new Zvesda T-90.That being said, old is not always bad and there are a few gems on the shelf. I was sorely tempted by an Italeri CMP 15cwt that I have not seen in a store for a long time! The accurate armour kits were large kits if slightly older releases, but if modern British is your thing and you like the smell of resin in the morning (as all the best modellers do) then the prices are reasonable, get yourself along

If you are looking for all the latest releases, they do get them in too, but its not necessarily a one stop shop for new kit planes or AFVs, but its definitely worth a visit

Recommended

How to Get There:

Orchard Store has now moved to Orchard Plaza.

You can get a bus direct to Orchard Road from many parts of Singapore. Check www.gothere.sg for directions


To get there by MRT (the subway/ metro) alight at Dhoby Ghaut interchange and take exit C. Head up Orchard Road past the Istana (big park on your right with armed police and guards - its the PMs residence). Cross the central expressway and Buyong Road and carry on past the Concorde Hotel (if you have an extra 5 minutes try the first floor of the Hotel where this is a small mall and Central Hobbys Plus)


Cross the next road (Cavenagh Road) and enter Orchard Plaza.

Head to middle of the building and the lifts and take a lift to the 3rd floor

On exiting the lift turn right then left and go to the Orchard Road side of the building where you will see the Orchard Store

What Else is in the Area?

Handy Man Centre (Listed HERE)

Hobby Focus (Listed HERE)

Central Hobby Plus (Coming Soon)

100 Orchard Road

02-03 Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall

238840

SINGAPORE

Miniature Hobby

Miniature Hobby

Miniature Hobby is a retailler of Military, Aviation, Maritime/ Naval and Sci-Fi scale models, accessories and other collectables

They stock a wide range of kits including:

- Dragon, Trumpeter, Hobbyboss, Tamiya, AFV Club, Bronco, Zvesda, Hasgawa, Revell, Miniart, ICM, Italeri and others
- AFV, Aircraft, ships, space models, Sci-fi and Gundam
- Aftermarket: notably Voyager, HobbyFan, Legend ( a lot of Legend stuff in fact) and others
- Paints including Tamiya and Mr Hobby
- Track sets and ammunition sets
- Tools
- Built models

The store is larger than many and is very well stocked indeed. So much so that if you take a bag like I did, you might have trouble squeezing between the shelves. There are a LOT of models here, which means an awful lot of temptation

This store is BIG!

The owner is freindly and very knowledgeable on the market and models he sells. It seems to be a very welcome theme in Singapore that store owners are generally modellers as it means you can always expect a good chat and some helpful pointers on which kit to look at to do a subject and so on. A good store gives you a lot more than the kit you walk out the door with

Prices in the store are very good indeed with discounts on many lines and special offers on paints and other items, again; dangerous to the wallet. I couldn't resist leaving with a Skybow/ AFV Club WC51 at a seriously good price


How to Get There

The nearest MRT Station is Tai Seng on the Circular Line. It is about a 20 minute journey from downtown Singapore

On leaving the MRT Station take exit A: Upper Payar Labar Road/ Irving Road

Turn right as you leave and you will see the sign for Irving Road

Proceed down Irving Road to the end and you will see Trivex on the other side of the road from the end of Irving Road. It deosn't have a sign as its an office building rather than the usual retail mall/ plaza. It looks like this:

Trivex Building Seen from the end of Irving Road

To the left of the main office tower is a Food Court under the car park you can see in the picture above. Go through the food court to the exit in the back corner and into the car park

Turn right to go under the tower block walking through the car park.

There is a turn on the left where you will see the stairs to the entrance:

Enter here and take the lift/ elevator to the 14th floor.

Miniature Hobby occupies Units 14 to 16

Opening Hours are 12noon to 8pm 7 days a week. Check before going if you intend to visit on a public holiday

Web: http://www.miniaturehobby.com/
email: sylee@miniaturehobby.com
Tel: 97613903

Miniature Hobby
8 Burn Road
#14-16, Trivex
Singapore 369977



Summary:

I was seriously impressed with the range and quality of kits and materials on sale at Miniature Hobby and I feel certain the store will be a regular place of visit for me during my two years here, especially with those great prices

Highly Recommended



What Else is In the Area?

Sadly there are no other stores currently in the area of Miniature Hobby's location.

HobbyPoint; Suntec City and Tiong Bahru

Another day another store! This time the very well stocked Hobby Point

I started out on my search for Hobby Point at Suntec City Mall (largely because I was looking for something else at another store) So I'll start there

Hobby Point - Suntec City Mall

3 Temasek Boulevard #03-32

Singapore 038983(Above Promenade MRT Stn)

Tel: (65) 6235 3268

This is actually a branch store with the main store at Tiong Bahru (see Below).

The Suntec City Mall stocks:

- Gundam and Mecha

- Toys and collectables (mostly aimed at adult collectors rather than children)

- Paints from Mr Hobby

- Aircraft

- Armour; almost entirely Italeri and Academy in this store

- a small selection of evergreen strip and rod

- moderate selection of tools

The staff were helpful and friendly and service was good. If you are in the area its certainly worth a look, especially as several lines are currently discounted

How to Get There

Take the Circle Line to Esplanade and exit following signs for Suntec City and Suntec Convention Centre

Exit into the mall and follow signs for Towers three and four.

Its quite a walk, its a very big mall, but eventually you will get to a large atrium, just past Carrefour supermarket. Take the escalator up to the 3rd floor

Come back on yourself so that you are walking away from the atrium and take the left side leading out of the atrium area. Hobby Point is just on your left

Also In the area:

Sadly there are not other stores of note that I have found in the area surrounding the mall, or the locality of the city around that

From the store manager I learned however that the main store at Tiong Bahru

Hobby Point - Tiong Bahru

This is the head branch for Hobby Point is is much larger and in particular much better stocked on armour and aircraft.

This Hobby Point stocks:
- Armour from Bronco, Tamiya, Dragon, ICM, Academy, Hobby Boss, AFV Club, Trumpeter , Italeri, Revell and no doubt a few more I've forgotten! In 1/35, 1/48 and 1/72
- Aircraft from a broad variety of manufacturers including Tamiya, Roden, Hasegawa, Italeri, Revell and a lot more
- Paints by Creos, Mr Hobby and Humbrol plus finishing products
- Evergreen stock styrene
- Sci fi such as star wars, plus mecha and gundam
- Cars and motorcyle kits
- naval, maritime kits

Staff were knowledgable and helpful

How to Get There:
Take the East West MRT Line (Green) to Tiong Bahru MRT and exit the station following signs for Tiong Bahru Plaza. Turn left off the escalators and you will see the entrance to Tiong Bahru Plaze behind them.

Enter the Plaza and after a few meters turn left to see the lifts (elevators). Take one to the 5th floor NOTE: you cannot get to the fifth floor on escalators due to the design of the plaza)

Turn left out of the lifts and follow the corridor a short distance. The store is on your right.

Other Stores in the Area:
Again, none I'm afraid

A very well stocked store for plastic kits and definitely one for your 'must visit' list.

Not so much modelling

Not so much about modelling today, but seeing as its my blog I can go off topic if'n I want to ;)

We went to Marina Bay the other night. We planned to enjoy the light show put on after dark, but sadly our son doesn't like loud music so we didn't get to see much, but heres a few shots from before the show

So back on modelling track I got this from M Workshop the other day:

And with a little work I've turned it into this....





More on this one soon.....

Tools Tools Tools

Today's entry is not a model store, but it is a store a lot of modellers should visit: Handyman Centre

Handyman Centre is a general tool store, but unlike the DIY stores in the UK it carries a much wider variety of tools aimed at not just home improvement, but various trades and specialities too

Why Should Modellers Visit the Store?

If you are coming to Singapore for an extended period (due to work etc) and will be living here, it is likely you will be unable to bring some or all of your tools with you. Handyman Centre is very nearly a one stop shop for all those tools which have come to be classed as 'essential' on your bench

The Store is full of tools modellers will find useful including:
- Clamps and grips of various sizes and types
- adhesives
- saws suitable for modelling
- snips and shears (I got a great pair of sidecutters there that are just like the tamiya sprue cutters)
- various cutting tools including OLFA tools (P cutter compass cutter and so on)
- Various precision measuring instruments including callipers, vernier callipers and more
- pin vices and drilling tools (including Dremels etc)
- Soldering Tools and supplies
- cutting mats
- Various others


The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and prices are very good. I didn't ask to confirm but it appears that below the racks of new tools they also have second hand tools for sale.

The store is pretty large, the following does not cover all of the store:

 How to Get There:

Like Hobbyfocus below, Handyman Centre is on Scott's Road, off Orchard Road

The nearest MRT Station is Orchard, when you leave the station take exit A and follow sings for Tang's Plaza. The station is situated on a busy junction and pedestrians are required to use an underground walkway. When you get to Tang's (the basement of Tang's Plaza) turn left and go down the stairs after the ATMs then follow the subway past the first set of Escalators and under Scott's Road. At the other end keep going straight onto the escalators and enter Isetan Department Store on the ground floor of Shaw House

Bear right in Isetan and follow signs for Shaw House. After you exit Isetan look out for the elevators/lifts on your right. Go up to the fourth floor and turn right when you exit the lift. Follow the corridor around and you will find Handyman Centre

NOTE: I am informed Handyman Centre may well be moving in May. Possinly to another unit in the same building, possibly not. I will repost this listing with new address details when they are confirmed

What Else is In the Area?

Hobby Focus

14 Scott's Road

Far Eastern Plaza

02-51

Detailed Below

The Orchard Store 01-02 Hotel Grand Central
22 Cavenagh Road
Singapore
229617

Another model Store - full listing coming soon