The Little World

The business of looking for scale models to build in a particular size is one thing. Finding aircraft to suit a particular air force is another. And getting a particular period of time…

I always look for 1:72 RCAF WW2 through to 1966. To the great credit of the model kit companies, I can sometimes find something that hits all three bumpers on the pinball machine. But it is very rare.

When I do, I am prepared to pay big time. Whether it is a die-cast or a kit, I am a customer. Even if it is only a decal set or a particular pot of paint ( Manitoba Dirty Nondescript Grey for instance…) I will buy it.

And I suspect it is the same with a lot of other enthusiasts. I saw this in the re-enactment hobby…people were prepared to spend the rent and the food money on brass gew-gaws from India or Pakistan to make them think that they were George Washington or Henry VIII. I do not begrudge them their dreams, as I dreamed as well. I admire their scholarly interest and tenacity.

I would like, and lack, the ability or opportunity to tell the manufacturers what to make. I tried it once in the 1990’s when I supplied detailed plans to a major toy train maker for our local Western Australian locomotives and rolling stock. No notice at all was taken of the idea…there would never have been a Deutschmark in it and I might as well have saved my time. But part of me thinks that there is a better opportunity with the small-run Czech moulders.

Let us hope someone from Alberta has their ear.