The Little World

In 2019 I visited a model exhibition in Melbourne and scoured the secondhand tables for bargains. I think I did pretty well in the decal files – the RCAF Lancaster decals were found as well as a $ 5.00 set of commemorative ones for the Lockheed CT-133. This was the Canadian version of the T-33 trainer that the USAF and other air forces used. I never expected to find a model to wear the colours.

Then a Metro Models email popped through, advertising a sale – held at the same time as the since-cancelled model exhibition to keep up our spirits. And there it was – a cheap Sword model of the RT-33 Shooting Star. I had the thought in the back of my head that Sword models were pretty drack and basic, but I sent away anyway.

Boy, was I surprised. The model turned up and it was far better than anything I expected. I found clean, polished injection sprue trees, a resin seat and camera details, and even pre-coloured photo etch! This was no poor cousin kit – it would make a very detailed CT-133.

The nose of the fuselage on the basic sprue tree was perfect for my purposes, though I note that if you were to make it the RT version you were required to saw it off. There was a separate nose in clear styrene so that the camera windows could be left clear.

One problem was to provide a second seat – the RT version put a big camera into position normally occupied by the second rider. I could hope for another resin seat as provided but this was quite unlikely locally – I thought I would have to make a slightly cruder copy out of styrene sheet.

I was sad to pass up on the decals, but then I had my commemorative ones in hand. Eventually all would be well.