The Little World

I think this was the best introduction I could have had to the Italeri brand of model kits – It had everything; good moulding, sensible build complexity, good material, and an economical price.

The fact that it fits into my time period, nationality, and historical significance is a bonus. Plus there are numerous internet images of the real thing preserved right now. What’s not to like?

The ironic thing is that I not only have the decals and marking sheet from the kit – and they are good decals – but I also have an aftermarket packet of specific Australian and New Zealand markings for the same sort of aircraft. And none of them got used…I am just going to have to bide my time and see if another kit of this aircraft crosses my path.

” X” Is currently serving in the Canadian museum and airshow circuit, though I am not sure which organisation owns her. She is sharing the limelight with ‘ Z ” and ” P “, I believe. No doubt there are similar American aircraft doing their circuits – I did see a video of ” That’s All, Brother ” in flight. Here in Australia I bet the RAAF has one of theirs still going.

In any case, the next one will be built open to show the interior – this is surprisingly large for a 1:72 scale plane. Indeed, a couple of times there I had to look carefully at the engines to re-assure myself that I was indeed building 1:72 and hadn’t picked up a 1:48 by mistake. You can see why Eisenhower called it one of the war-winners.

Don’t let the glossy finish rattle you – it was an experiment for this plane only. I am delighted with it, but will revert to a final Humbrol Satin Cote for most of the future builds. The winter here has been savage with cold and wet days and I was rather fearful of getting an adequate paint job – fortunately the home-made drying box I set up has let the finish dry without blooming.

The only technical criticism I could level at this kit was the flimsy nature of the glue point for the tail wheel. It is scale,all right, but could benefit from a bit of beefing up.

I do love the details – the astrodome and the tail light in particular.

Will I have this much satisfaction with my next twin? The Mach 2 Convair 440, the Tamiya De Havilland Mosquito, or the Special Hobby Lockheed Lodestar? We shall see. Roll on the Spring.