The Little World

And armed with a couple of 100 pound bombs to enforce it.

I cannot decide whether the Kingfisher as a land plane is gainly or ungainly compared to the floatplane version. The gear is not too spindly but difficult enough to assemble. It must have been quite a drag for the plane – otherwise quite a clean design. Of course the floats would possibly have been worse.

In any case the observer’s station came out well, despite close tolerances around the machine-gun ring. The trick of covering it with the canopy coated in liquid mask worked well. It’s worthwhile sealing around the entire perimeter of the cockpit with Liquitape before you do this to prevent leakers.

The paint scheme for these Yellow Wing navy planes is not that complex but you’d be surprised at the amount of masking it takes. I take as many shortcuts as decency permits – the walkways and red formation stripes are decals cut from spare sheets that have accumulated. I would have decalled the fuselage band as well had I realise that I had it on another USN sheet – in the end I just sprayed it on. Note that I find the Insignia Red called for in these plans to be too garish – I prefer Madder Red from the Mr Color range. No apologies for the bright scheme and glossy finish – these planes were kept well in service and the museum is proud of them.

Particularly pleased with the engine. The brown Testors wash over silver paint is just dirty enough to be believable without going overboard in grunge.

And a compliment to the decal makers that AZ use. The markings came off the paper quickly and cleanly and didn’t wrinkle or tear. A pleasure to do.