The Little World

No, it’s not a Frog model – it’s still the bargain Airfix kit. But the more I look at the basic shape of the Lockheed F80C in the grey primer, the more I’m reminded of an amphibian. You have to admire Clarence Kelly and his designers for making such a sleek thing using an engine that was too big for too little power.

I was initially considering making it without tip tanks but the museum examples in Brazil still do have them fitted. Admittedly, they are of a later pattern, but as I am modelling this from the 1950’s I think I can reference the older shape as well. Full marks to Airfix for positive locating lugs on the tanks and holes in the wings.

This was a surprisingly well-fitting kit, considering the age. There’s a modicum of Vallejo and Perfect Plastic putties blending wing roots and the peculiar tail construction, but no major gaps. I have taken a shine to the Vallejo as it has such an effective thin nozzle to allow you to inject the putty into the crevices. Actually, I would be sorely tempted to source a portable dental light curing apparatus and injection guns like I used to use for composite resin fillings – except I know the price would be exorbitant . Totally unjustifiable for a a $ 10 plastic model kit – the composite capsules would be more than that themselves, let alone the cost of the curing unit.

I would also welcome a Kavo or Siemens electronic micromotor and a contra-angle handpiece like I used to use in the lab – with suitable cutting and polishing burs – but again the cost would be beyond the hobby. Sometimes you can know too much…

But I digress – the Shooting Star kit is good enough that I would grab another one if it ever floats by – And I would also seek out aftermarket decals for some of the Korean War USAF examples. They’re complex but colourful, and there are enough genuine colour photographs taken at the the time in South Korea to support the decal sheets.