The Little World

No, Airfix haven’t raised their prices again – the heading refers to the fact that I have just discovered that Martin Marauders – the B-26’s – were sent up to Alaska for transfer to the Soviets during the Lend Lease period. The internet turned up a picture of a crashed Marauder in the Canadian bush and then a newspaper article from Dawson Creek filled out the story.

It was one of three that set out from Edmonton with only the most rudimentary maps and sketches and the three crews were caught in a snowstorm. They saw enough of a valley to try to set down and two did it with their wheels up – sliding to a pretty safe stop. The third tried it with gear down and pitched over on the nose. Fortunately no people killed.

Also fortunately a plane spotted the wreckage and a rescue was mounted – everyone out eventually. The planes were left until Army crews could get to them and strip out bombsights, radios, guns, and any other useful bits – then they were left.

Now one has been recovered and is being restored to flying condition – a remarkable thing. And it proves that I can use a Marauder in my display.

Airfix have this older kit, but it is not so old as to be unusable. New markings…horrible…but a good mould.

I get an extra part and the interior is quite detailed, though I doubt I will have the bomb bay doors open. Still – it is nice to stiffen the interior with the structure. And there is an old-fashioned Airfix crew.

Will I make a crashed Marauder? It’s tempting. You don’t need to skin it up too badly to look like the real thing out there at Dawson Creek. I will decide later…

* The place they crashed was called Million Dollar Valley.