Thanks to J Smith Collection (H_C)

Note: Kits shown are the original first issue kits of 1993

Released in 1993 by Comet Miniatures http://www.comet-miniatures.com/ in London, the machines were based around the multi million selling album of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds. Regarded as a 'garage' kit, each kit was made from resin fibre, white metal and included components of wire and metal fittings, each when assembled was to a scale of 1/100th.

The Fighting Machine was not entirely accuarte to the classic album cover version, but was for its time the only one of its kind on the market, but when completed was a pleasure to look at. Unlike normal vaccum formed kits from such makers like 'Airfix', being a 'garage' based kit, much work was required to bring the model up tp respectible appearance, something that modellers would find easy. When complete, the Martian Fighting Machine would stand a impressive 12 inches in height.

The Handling Machine sadly lacked the wire mesh basket as described in the album, but an easy basket could be made if the modeller had 'scratch building' skills. The model was built to the same scale as the Fighting Machine (1/100th) and stood approx 3 inches in height. The kits were released as Limited Edition runs, more so for the Handling Machine, a kit desired by many 'War Of The Worlds' collectors.

In 1998, the Fighting Machine was re-released, this time being a bettered kit with more accurate legs and Heat Ray tube. Sadly the Handling Machine did not follow its older brother. Again like the first release kits, the Fighting Machine was only availible for a short period and was stopped in 2004.

Comet Miniatures Models are currently in the process of re-issuing the kits, both Fighting Machine and the long awaited Handling Machine. Like before, the Fighting Machine will be fibre resin and white metal, but the Handling with be completely in white metal.

For more information about Jeff Wayne products and projects for 2005 - 2007, go to http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/