The Little World

The Revell Twin Otter is familiar territory for me – I rescued one and completed it as CF-ALO some time ago and got a general feel for the layout. The new kit I am dealing with is exactly the same structure – though in this case I do not have to repair – just build. It is actually a pretty good kit, and a very good one for the price.

The part structure is just the same, but this time I get to build it with the snow skis deployed. I mean it is a Canadian aircraft after all.

The floats will be saved for another time. I am delighted to find that most floatplane floats look very much alike and can be mounted on civilian as well as some military planes without looking odd. I shall resist te temptation to mount a 747 on them…

The wings are well-fitting structures but they have 12 flap hinge points on the underside that need to be cemented on. And ever after need to be dodged, or re-cemented.

I normally grizzle at separate noses on aircraft but in this case it provides a chance to incorporate the nose weight after the fuselage is closed.

Lots of windows, but the rear ones are uniform and quite a good fit to their holes. The cockpit windows need a bit of love and respect or you lose them inside. I figured out how to attach them safely last time.

The decals are beauties – this is what I wanted all along. However, they are complex, and it will take some careful manipulation to get the window stripes on well. I am going to divide the main decal into sections and proceed slowly. It will also be a case of finishing the wings and fuselage separately and joining them after all the decoration is completed – I’d never be able to finish the thing through the struts and engines.

And finally the instructions – as Revell as you can get. Adequate without being fancy. The company has reserved its genius for the warning leaflet that is also enclosed. I will not reproduce it, but I can assure you that after reading it you will never plunge a hot knife in your eye ever again. At least not accidentally…As a document it has the best of American tort lawyerism combined with superb Euro-bureaucracy. If you enjoyed the Versailles Treaty you’ll love the Revell safety sheet.