The Little World

I passed a very pleasant birthday in a couple of hobby shops – I had time and I had money. I was prepared to spend the former asset freely but my very nature compelled me to conserve the latter. I want value for money, eh?

Well, value was there – in one hobby shop that was dotted with small-run $ 40 Czech kits this gem appeared. At the end of the 1:72 rack and neglected, it was nevertheless an Academy kit – and my last experience of Academy was good. Their 1:72 RCAF Harvard was all I could ask for.

The Avenger is good value – $ 17. That’s in the range of the Hobby Boss products, though Academy seem to opt for more conventional moulding design than Hobby Boss. However, they have good sprues and fine fit. And no photoetch or resin to pester me. Good to see the parts bagged so you know you got ’em all. Then box was plastic-wrapped as well.

Their clear parts are also superb with clearly defined canopy framing. On a torpedo bomber of the 40’s this is essential as there is so much to paint. On the subject of the torpedo – this is a plane with an internal bomb/torpedo bay and Academy have elected to mould it as shut. I don’t mind as most of my planes are meant to be seen as museum exhibits.

I read a lot of free modelling magazines and watch the YouTube shows and so many people seem to get uptight about sinkholes in the external plastic surfaces. For model cars that might be a concern, but if you’re building combat aircraft of the 30’s and 40’s a few dents seems to be just adding authenticity.

The kit is unusual in that it has a desk stand to let you view it as if it was flying. This is a blast from the past but I will not be using it – still – I’ll save it for a museum piece in another era.

Finally, there is only one decal option in the $ 17 kit – but as it will alow me to make a companion piece for an air group that served on the USS BUNKER HILL – I’ve built an F4U-4 Corsair in BH markings – I’m more than pleased.