FAQ

Southern Model Supplies is a trade-only wholesaler, supplying leading hobby brands across Australia.
While we don't sell to the public, our website is here to provide valuable product information and assist with locating your nearest hobby dealer via our Dealer Locator page. For any product or service-related queries, please check the FAQ's below. For further assistance, please do not hesitate to Contact Us directly. 

Unfortunately, no. We are a trade-only wholesaler. A list of our retailers is available on the DEALER LOCATOR page on our website. If you cannot find a local hobby dealer, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US, and we will try our best to assist you.

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Please go to the CONTACT US page and include your postal code with the item name and/or number you are looking for. We will try our best to locate your nearest retailer or online store. In some cases, the item you are looking for might no longer be available and we will advise accordingly.

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You are only able to log in to our website if you are a registered retailer and stockist of the products we distribute. If you are a retailer of the brands we distribute, you should have log in details already. If you require new login details, please contact your representative or our internal sales team for assistance.

Firstly, make sure the product is from one of the brands we represent. You can find a full list of our brands on the ABOUT US page or at the bottom of the Home page. If the product is part of one of these brands, it might be discontinued or recently announced. You can CONTACT US directly with the item name and/or number, and we will try our best to assist.

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For retailers, these are products for which wholesale orders have been closed off and stock should be arriving soon. These products are new releases for consumers and should be available to pre-order from your local hobby dealer. Find your local hobby dealer by going to the DEALER LOCATOR page.

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Southern Model Supplies is the sole distributor and wholesaler for brands represented in Australia only. If you are located outside of Australia, please check with your local hobby or toy stores in your country to assist with finding the item you are looking for. Classic Carlectables and Highway Replicas can be found at select hobby dealers in New Zealand.

Southern Model Supplies is the sole distributor and trade-only wholesaler for the following brands across Australia:

  • AIRFIX Plastic Model Kits
  • AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY MODELS Railway Model Trains
  • CLASSIC CARLECTABLES Diecast Cars
  • CORGI Diecast Collectables
  • HIGHWAY REPLICAS Diecast Replicas
  • HORNBY Railway Model Trains, Tracks & Accessories
  • HUMBROL Hobby Paints - ITALERI Plastic Model Kits
  • OXFORD Diecast Replicas
  • PECO Railway Model Trains & Accessories (non-exclusive)
  • POCHER 1/8 Model Kits
  • REVELL Plastic Model Kits
  • REVELL Radio Control
  • SCALEXTRIC Model Slot Cars
  • TAMIYA Plastic Model Kits
  • TAMIYA Hobby Paints, Tools and Accessories
  • TAMIYA Radio Control
  • TRAXXAS Radio Control

This is where you can secure certain items before they come into stock by pre-ordering them. Retailers will pre-order from Southern Model Supplies, and customers will pre-order from their local hobby or toy retailer. Southern Model Supplies will inform our retailers via email or our dedicated sales team whenever new items are announced and available to pre-order. Hobby retailers will inform their customers via email or social media of items they are offering on pre-order. Delivery of pre-orders is usually pre-determined and estimated arrival times can be supplied but are subject to import delays.

Before you apply, please remember that we are the national distributor for Australia only. Classic Carlectables and Highway Replicas are distributed across Australia and New Zealand. Send us your store name, ABN and address via our CONTACT US form. Once submitted, someone from our sales team will get in touch to further assist.

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You can follow us on Facebook or Instagram where we will post regular updates on any new announcements from our brands, new stock arrivals on their way to stores and any other exciting news or information. The Southern Model Supplies Home webpage is also regularly updated with items in stock under the New" banner. The main website banners and "Featured" sections will also show items that are new and in stock or coming soon.

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Unfortunately, not all brands or products represented by Southern Model Supplies are suited to or stocked by all our hobby dealers listed on our DEALER LOCATOR page, we recommend that you contact the store prior to visiting to ensure they have the item you require.

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Customers are advised to contact the store from where the product was purchased first. The store will then either assist with the product query in-store or refer the query to the Southern Model Supplies Service Department.

Please contact the store from where the product was purchased to enquire about their refund policies. Unfortunately, Southern Model Supplies does not offer any refunds as we are the wholesale distributor.

Unfortunately, we only offer warranty repairs for our own brands which include Classic Carlectables, Highway Replicas and Australian Railway Models. For warranty repair queries, please contact the store from where the item was purchased.

This will depend on the type of product for which you require parts. It is best to always check with your hobby dealer first, but you are welcome to contact us and we will try and assist if possible.

Standard plastic model kits include your model parts, instructions to build, painting instruction sheet, list of tools and/or paints you will require to build your model and decal or sticker sheets where applicable.

Gift or Starter plastic model kits are usually supplied with the paints and brush you will require and some kits might also include glues or puttys for completing the kit. These are the perfect type of kits for beginners or if you want to purchase an all-in-one plastic model kit. Always refer to the skill level indicated on our website or on the packaging which will indicate the Skill level required to complete, Skill Level 1 for beginners or kids up to Skill Level 5 for more advanced modellers.

Yes, any item that will require assembly and/or painting will be found under the PLASTIC MODEL KITS category. If you are looking for items which are already assembled and/or painted, browse the DIECAST MODELS and BUILDINGS AND SCENERY categories instead.

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You can find different paints from various brands in the PAINTS AND TOOLS category under the Products tab. Always contact your hobby dealer before your visit to ensure they have the colours or tools you require.

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Please consult with the store from where the item was purchased, some stores offer spare parts depending on the brand and their availability. Note that fees might apply, please consult with the store directly.

Our team is here to assist as best we can, please CONTACT US with the details of the plastic kit model, including the Item Number and/or Name and the part you require. Our service team will be in touch via email or phone if they require further details and will try and assist if possible.

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As this is not a regular occurrence, please consult with the store from where the item was purchased, some stores offer spare parts depending on the brand and their availability. Note that fees might apply, please consult with the store directly.

We are the sole distributor and trade-only wholesaler for Traxxas, Revell Control and Tamiya Radio Control Kits. Refer to our DEALER LOCATOR page to find your local stockist and enquire with them directly which brands are available in-store.

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The best option will be to check with your local stockist if they have the specific part available you are looking for. Alternatively, you may also request your dealer to contact us to order the part on your behalf, should we have this part available. Your hobby dealer will confirm the waiting period for delivery if said part is available and has been ordered on your behalf.

You should be able to find instruction sheets or manuals online by searching the model name or number. Alternatively, we are in the process of updating our website to start including these documents, you are welcome to CONTACT US and we might be able to assist.

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Tamiya offers a wide range of Radio Control Assembly kits, you will be able to find these under the RADIO CONTROL Category and filter by brand to see all Tamiya Radio Control Kits available. Always make sure when purchasing a Radio Control Assembly kit that you check the packaging, our website or with your hobby dealer on what you will need to complete the kit before heading home.

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The Tamiya PS paints are specifically formulated for use on Polycarbonate materials. Check out the PAINTS AND TOOLS Category on the Products Tab. Contact your hobby or RC dealer before you visit them to check if they have the paints you are looking for. If you still require assistance, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US directly with the item code/colour you require and we will try our best to assist as well.

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Southern Models is the Distributor for the following brands:

  • Hornby - Specialises in British Railways for both OO and TT Scale. Available as sets or individual models.
  • PECO - Specialises in railway Track items on most scales.
  • PECO Ratio - Railway Building Kits in HO/OO Scale.
  • Oxford - Diecast models for OO/HO, O and N scale Railway.

Generally yes, please contact your model railway/hobby dealer prior to visiting to enquire if they have the parts available or if they are able to get it for you. Alternatively, please CONTACT US directly and we will try our best to assist.

We have grouped all items used for model railway and other scenic displays under the BUILDINGS AND SCENERY category on the Products Tab. This includes all items from Buildings, Scale Scenics, Figures and Animals, which do not require any painting.

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The main difference between analogue and digital model locomotives is how power is supplied to the track and how the locomotives are controlled:

  • Analog Locomotives, also known as direct current (DC), analogue trains supply a 12V direct current to the track. The user sets the speed of the locomotive by turning the controller, which increases the voltage through the tracks. All trains on the track respond the same way. Analog trains are simple, reliable, and affordable, but they can only control one train per controller.
  • Digital Locomotives, also known as digital command control (DCC), digital trains supply a constant 16V alternating current (AC) to the track. Each locomotive has a decoder that interprets commands from the controller, allowing each train to be controlled individually. They offer more advanced driving functionality and versatility and are better for situations where you want to control multiple trains independently or move one train in one direction while turning on lights in another.

In model railway, track codes indicate the height of a rail in thousandths of an inch.

  • Common sizes in OO / HO scale:
    • Code 100 (.100 inches)
    • Code 83 (.083 inches)
    • Code 70 (.070 inches)
    • Code 75 (.075 inches)
  • Common sizes in the N scale:
    • Code 80 (.080 inches)
    • Code 55 (.055 inches)
  • Common size in large scale eg. Gauge 1 / G Scale:
    • Code 200 (.200 inches)

Yes, Southern Model Supplies is the sole producer and distributor of the Australian Railway Models brand. We specialise in producing exclusive Australian locomotive models. This is an exclusive but cost-effective range and we only produce one or two models each year. Follow Australian Railway Models on Facebook or Instagram - @AustralianRailwayModels - to keep up to date with all the latest updates.

We usually release one or two models each year. You are welcome to follow us on social media - @AustralianRailwayModels - where we will post all the latest updates on new announcements or arrivals.
Yes, Australian Railway Models locomotives are DCC compatible and will take a standard 8Pin DCC chip.
Australian Railway Models locomotives are fitted with a Knuckle style coupler that is housed in a NEM pocket, so it can be changed to other style couplers easily.

The Australian Railway Models locomotives are fitted with a powerful 5-pole skew-wound motor with a flywheel, giving plenty of performance and power for pulling rolling stock.

Acrylic Paints are fast-drying paints made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. They are water-based, making it easy to clean up with water when wet. They are versatile and can mimic the effects of oil and watercolour paints depending on the application. They can be applied to a variety of surfaces like canvas, wood, paper, and even fabric. The advantages of Acrylic Paints are they are water-soluble, quick-drying and durable.

Enamel paints are oil-based or water-based paints known for their hard, glossy, and durable finish. These paints form a tough, protective coating that is resistant to moisture, heat, and wear, making them ideal for surfaces that require a long-lasting, smooth finish. The advantages of Enamel Paints are durability, resistance to heat & moisture and adhesion to non-porous surfaces. Note: While enamel paints provide a tough finish, they require proper ventilation during application, as oil-based enamels emit strong fumes.

Lacquer paints are fast-drying paints that provide a hard, durable, and glossy finish. They are typically solvent-based, using nitrocellulose or acrylic resins dissolved in a solvent. When applied, the solvent evaporates quickly, leaving behind a smooth, high-gloss film. Lacquer paints are prized for their ability to create a flawless, polished appearance. The advantages of Lacquer paints include fast drying, a high-quality finish, durability and a smooth application. Note: While Lacquer paints provide a high-quality finish, they require proper ventilation during application, as they emit strong fumes during use.

Hobby washes are specialized paints or mixtures - such as the Tamiya Panel Line Accents, used by modellers and miniature painters to enhance the details of their models by adding shading, depth, and contrast. They are typically more fluid and transparent than standard paints, allowing them to flow into the recessed areas of a model, where they naturally settle to create shadows and accentuate fine details like folds, creases, or textures. Hobby washes are a common tool for painting scale models, wargaming miniatures, and other detailed hobby projects.

Weathering powders are fine, pigmented powders used by hobbyists, modellers, and miniature painters to simulate the effects of wear, age, dirt, rust, soot, and other environmental elements on models. They help create realistic weathering effects, giving models the appearance of being exposed to the elements over time. Weathering powders are especially popular in military modelling, dioramas, and wargaming miniatures, where they can be used to replicate the look of dust on tanks, rust on machinery, or dirt on vehicles and buildings.

Yes, using a primer for plastic model kits is generally recommended, although it is not always strictly necessary. The benefits of using a Primer include: Helps smooth out imperfections, improves paint adhesion, enhances durability, provides an even base colour and helps prevent paints from reacting with plastic.

The Analogue set comes with two analogue controllers, each controller operates one lane and one car on the track. Cars on an analogue set cannot change lanes.

With a Digital set, the controllers are programmed to a digital chip inside each car, meaning multiple cars can run on one lane. You can also overtake and block other cars by switching lanes at the lane change sections by pressing a button on your digital hand controller.

Scalextric offers a wide range of cars which are sold separately, check out the SLOT CARS category and select CARS to find all individual models available.

All Scalextric cars which are sold individually, will be Analogue with the option of being Digital Plug Ready (DPR), meaning a Digital Plug needs to be installed before you are able to run the car on a Digital Track. Digital plugs are sold separately and the installation is simple and straightforward. Scalextric Digital Sets will include cars which are already fitted with a Digital Plug.

Light cleaning of the track surface is recommended for daily use. We recommend using a damp cloth or a very lightly oiled cloth. This removes light grime and dust from the track surface. Wipe the surface dry after using a damp cloth. As a matter of good practice, always do this before using the Scalextric layout as this will help ensure you get the best grip from the car tyres. If there is corrosion and heavy tarnishing - Use a mild abrasive material to shine up the running surfaces of the pick-up rails, making sure that the male and female connections at the ends of the track sections are also bright and shiny. Be aware that sometimes no amount of cleaning of heavily corroded rails and connectors will return the track to a usable state and replacement of the track in this condition is the only alternative.

If a slot car is experiencing poor performance or is stopping/starting it is best to check the condition of the car's pickups/braids. These are usually available through your local hobby dealer or a slot car centre.

Yes, separate track pieces are available from hobby dealers or slot car centres, always contact your local hobby dealer to find out if they have available or if they are able to get track pieces for you. Track pieces include barriers, straights and curves.

It is recommended not to nail, screw or glue the track to a baseboard at all. The reason for this is that plastic and metal, the two ingredients of Scalextric track, expand and contract at different rates. So, on hot days the plastic will expand larger than the rail. Of course, the rail won't let the plastic expand evenly due to the rail gripping the plastic. This causes the track surface to warp. When the track is laid loose the circuit can 'grow' and absorb any expansion due to heat. If the track is not allowed to move freely (i.e. nailed down) then any expansion will only lead to uneven surfaces. If the layout is flat, leave the track loose and it is recommended to try and keep the layout in a dry and constant temperature room.

Yes, Southern Model Supplies is the sole distributor and producer of the Classic Carlectables 1/18 diecast replica car models.

Classic Carlectables models are distributed to select hobby dealers in Australia and New Zealand. Please visit www.classiccarlectables.com.au - "Where to Buy" page to find local hobby dealers that stock Classic Carlectables models.

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Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, @ClassicCarlectables, where we post regular updates. You can also sign up for our Collector's Chronicles newsletter, which is sent on a monthly basis with exclusive updates. Visit www.classiccarlectables.com.au and go to the NEWSLETTERS tab to sign up.

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Yes, we value all our member suggestions and you are welcome to send us your suggestions via the CONTACT US page or Message us directly via Facebook Messenger. Please keep in mind that we cannot produce a custom design or colour.

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Unfortunately, we cannot manufacture custom designs or models.
Yes, Southern Model Supplies is the sole distributor and producer of the Highway Replicas 1/64 diecast Australian Road Trains and Semi Trailers.

Highway Replicas models are distributed to select hobby dealers in Australia and New Zealand. Please visit our Where to Buy" page to locate your nearest dealer or online store - www.highwayreplicas.com.au. Southern Model Supplies is a trade-only wholesaler and do not sell Highway Replicas directly to the public.

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Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, @HighwayReplicas, where we post regular updates.
Unfortunately, as we produce only limited quantities, majority of these pieces are usually pre-sold. We recommend contacting your local hobby dealer or Highway Replicas directly with the item number and/or name and we can try assist with finding any available stock for you.

Yes, we value our member suggestions and you are welcome to send us your suggestions via the CONTACT US tab on www.highwayreplicas.com.au or via Facebook Messenger. Please keep in mind that we cannot produce a custom design or colour, only existing Australian-related model suggestions will be taken into consideration.

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