The Little World

The Academy kit went together really well, though it felt a little weird to not do a cockpit at all and to close in all the open bits. Academy models are always rewarding – probably because they used to be Hasegawa models and they were also rewarding.

Ivan has several special features incorporated to perform his role in the Little Workshop:

a. He has that closed canopy – cemented with Mt Hobby thin cement. The job was done carefully so that a future reincarnation of him may be used for other purposes.

b. The closed canopy has been covered with a double layer of Humbrol Maskol.

c. The weapons mounts and floppy tail have been added despite the fact that they make for a fussy surface. They’ve been reinforced with cyanoacrylate glue. The reason they were put on was to provide the same sort of air flow pattern that a standard model would have. And to pose the same problems that a standard build would if paint has to be removed.

d. Ivan has his own box – the one he came in – and it will be preserved for him so that he can rest between ordeals.

e. Ivan has a double coat of clear lacquer varnish – Mr Color No. 46. It is cut with Mr. Color standard thinner to a ratio of 2:1 and sprayed with vigour and verve. The vigour and verve controls on the airbrush are very useful. The end result is a hard sealed shell around Ivan that can support other paint coats’ application and removal. Also the effect of over-coatings for decalling or weathering. It would have been better if Ivan was made of porcelain but this is the next best thing.

Note: the market for porcelain MiG 23 Floggers is still developing…

Welcome to the design bureau, Ivan.