The Little World

I must apologise to the readers for not being able to show the standard five views of a new aircraft in this report. The KB-29A in 1:72 scale is just too big for my standard photo table to accommodate in 3:2 or 16:9. I’ve had to resort to a 16mm lens and 1:1 format to get the whole thing onto the page.

It is not an externally complex aircraft, this tanker, and there are few appurtenances to show on the outside. I have kept it deliberately sleek and clean for the show – relying upon the unusual nature of the boom arrangement to speak for itself.

The Academy kit was a delight to build. I am not entirely satisfied with the way I handled the main gear, but it is no fault of Academy. The main gear leg and socket are far and away sturdy enough for the support of the ship.

The basic proportions are massive – I am going to have to think carefully on how this aircraft will be shown in the collection, given that it must share some stage with an F-84. It may need an entirely new tarmac base to take adequate pictures. I shudder to think what might be needed for a B-36 or one of the big jet bombers.

This is actually exciting as it is a gateway into building the Cold War planes that I remember as a kid. I just hope there are enough older kits or enough adventurous new issues to make up an entire air base.