【明報專訊】Bill is making a model for Dr. Panda's lab. It takes a lot of patience and attention to detail to do so!

◆The trend

Recently, seventeen miniature model artists(微縮模型師) in Hong Kong has presented their work in an exhibition in Tokyo, sharing with the world how Hong Kong attracts them with their model making skills. (see photo.1)

◆Tools

．Airbrush and paint

Airbrushes allow you to coat your model with an even and thin layer of paint without much hassle.

．Tweezers

It is easier to arrange tiny model parts precisely with fine tweezers.

．Pliers(剪鉗) and file (銼刀)

Pliers are small cutting tools used to detach the parts from the frames. You can make the edges smooth with a small metal file.

◆Mysterious number

When you buy models or model kits, you come across numbers in ratio such as 1:10, 1:200 or even 1:1000.These ratios tell you how small your model is when compared to the real object. 1:100 means the real object is 100 times as large as the model.

◆World record

Many model lovers enjoy not only the process of building miniatures but also collecting them. Nabil Karam from Lebanon set a world record of the largest collection of model cars in 2011. Nabil had 37,777 model cars when he broke his own record again in 2016.

■Glossary

hassle (n) 麻煩

precisely (adv) 精確地

fine (adj) 纖細的

edge (n) 邊緣

[Smarties' Power English 第195期]