The Little World

I shall have to reform my character in the future as far as model aircraft go. I pass by certain models in the shop, turn the box over in my hand, and say ” Never…”. They might be an odd prototype or an unattractive box, or just a tired subject. But I do myself an injury in that hasty judgement. Sometimes circumstances combine to correct this.

It is a long story. Get a cup of tea and the cat and settle for the first part.

Each year past since 1066 I have done a photographic exhibition in the foyer of whatever venue in which the local belly dance bazaar is being held. I also perch on a box for 4 hours taking pictures of the stage acts. No, I don’t know why, thank you for asking. The theme of the foyer display is the dancers in some guise. I’ve done them as art deco heroines, art nouveau ditto, Amazons, Notorious Ladies, etc. It is spectacular and fun.

This year I’m going to make use of my collection of allied warplanes to picture my dancers as nose art. Some will be drawings, some will be realistic. Some may be slightly bare and some will be armed to the teeth. Bombs will be straddled…Here’s an experiment done with files already on hand, though these will need to be re-shot to get them up to printing sizes:

You’ll recognise my mojo Corsair from previous posts. Anyway, I’ve tee’d up a half-dozen live models and put the call out for more – and one of them is a delightful little French lady. I shall feature her on several aircraft, but when she appears as ” Marianne ” it needs to be a French plane. Up until now I have had none in 1:72.

Step forward dear old Hobby Boss with something I’ve passed over on the shelves for months – the Morane Saulnier 406. It is a misshapen plane to my eye, though I can see what the designers tried to do. The chief attraction now is the nationality and the slab side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. It will not be exactly nose art, but it will be inspiring.

The kit is pure HB – plastic tray, careful moulding, easy construction. Perfect for this project. The only fly in the ointment is the odd choice of Finnish or British markings – but I have enough French roundels and tail flashes to make this up from the spares box.

I am also grateful to the HB people for specifying paint shades in Mr. Hobby aqueous and Mr. Color lacquer. Lets hope the hobby shop has them.