The Little World

And raised rivets, too.

I had a happy childhood, and a great many of the happy occasions revolved around model kits. This included a number of the 1950’s and 60’s Airfix products. Merit, Monogram, Aurora, and Revell as well. So it’s with great delight that I see Airfix re-issue classic models from the era. I wish that there were still a Moko Lesney to do the same with Matchbox kits.

I’m not at all deterred by raised rivets and the little compromises of the period – the bare cockpits and wheel wells can be painted so as to be quite acceptable. And the De Havilland Heron Mk II is just such a re-issue. And the joy! I never built it in the original so this will be a new experience!

The kit moulding is of 1959 vintage with a later re-box top art. There is a compromise boxing that is perfectly acceptable for a small kit. I note as well that they now include a Humbrol number call-out for paints on the outside of the sealed box. Wise.

The sprue trees show definite age, though the flash is quite manageable. The plastic feels modern – which is also quite workable. The separately-packed clear parts look perfectly adequate for the job. There are part numbers cast into some of the larger bits – the fuselage halves for instance. I am not such a sentimentalist as to leave them there glaring at me -particularly as there is no interior provided.

This is odd – there is an open cabin door, boarding stairs, and a number of passengers. One would have expected a cast floor and seat inside. I think this will be a matter of scratch building as I hope to leave the door open. The passengers are classics of the time – charming, if not anatomically perfect. At least we get a number of them and the cabin crew as well.

It’ll be a nose sitter if I don’t pack the space above the nose wheel. DH Vampire builders will be amused at the design of this wheel and strut…

The instructions are also a modern re-write of what may have been issued in the late 50’s. They are clear enough and I commend the colour call-out. Every modern kit should have one of these. I may not be flying Jersey Airlines, but I appreciate the hints as to factory paint patterns.