The Little World

Well, as Marty of Marty’s Matchbox Makeovers says, ” I’m happy with that… “. ( I highly recommend his YouTube videos on toy car restoration. )

The Airfix Liberator was never going to be better than its moulding would let it be – and there were issues in the fuselage fit and the decals for the tail – but all in all it has made a pleasing SEAC aircraft – a fitting companion to the Burma C-47 in my museum . The next B-24 I build will be from whoever makes the best early model aircraft and will be a full-blown Ploesti raider.

The nose weight is still working, despite the fact that application of paint does redistribute the weight of an aircraft somewhat. I checked before I sealed in the engines to see whether I needed a sliver of lead in each nacelle. There was still the option of packing the nose just aft of the bomb-aimers position when the final button-up came.

Purists may note the lack of tail stripes – I compensated for this by leaving off the ” Wandering Witch ” nose art  to make the ship somewhat more generic. I’m just thrilled that it looks as good as it does for the age of the mould.

I must salute the modern makers of kits, though. They have mastered the clear styrene moulding. The clear parts of these old ones are diabolical. Thick, murky, flawed. This one had no frame lines marked as such so it was a prime candidate for the bow pen technique. It is one kit that would encourage a more careful builder to pop for an aftermarket canopy and turret set  – preferably with vac-form parts.

But I am being picky – the kit was free and the paint was here in stock – and all in all I have had a profitable week.