The Little World

If you have nothing to do for the next few hours, start Googling. Tear yourself away from the porn, conspiracy theories, and on-line shopping and research something arcane. I just did and now I can have a week of fun with it.

I don’t build aircraft with certain markings – which is somewhat of a limitation when it comes to good kits or interesting prototypes. Occasionally, however, one of the normally off-limits planes turns up as a captured, sold, or rebuilt example and becomes fair game.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109E is just such an example. I’ve got a Hobby Boss Bf109G in captured USAAF colours in the collection – and it is as good as HB makes. Now I have a chance to add a modern-mould Airfix plane to the museum as well. And this one has far more detail than the 109G.

Imagine my surprise and delight on opening the box to discover a visible engine and removable engine cowling as part of this 1:72 kit. Every other part looks good and the glass portions are also perfect for my purpose – they come in three pieces. As well, there is a pilot included…

Of course the decal sheet and colour call out are a superfluous feature for my purposes, but for those who want the Luftwaffe version, they look to be excellent.

I’m pleased to think that the extensive stencil sheet can be authentically ignored in my build. They all got painted over!

Looks like they didn’t recruit one of the Airfix office staff to be the face of the pilot this time. But they were kind to him. Instead of Badering him to fit in the cockpit, they ask us to trim off the rudder pedals. Humane.

By the way – congratulate me on my 1000th posting on this weblog column. This hobby never leaves one short of something to write about.