The Little World

How many Messerschmitts can people buy? How many do they need? What are they doing with them?

I asked this in grey desperation as I cruised the kit aisle of three of Perth’s hobby shops searching for cheap new models of interesting subjects. I saw kits from what must be two dozen various makers and every single one ( save Athearn ) seemed to make Me 109’s. I could not be certain, but I suspect that the hobby shops contained more of the things than the Reich ever did.

Now I can see where one plane might be in anyone’s collection – or lurking in a stash against a rainy day. I have built 2 of them in 1:72 size – though my choice of how to do it was as captured aircraft in Allied markings. That will likely be all I need – or ever build.

But the variety of them that allows people to build individual ones from assorted squadrons? Or theatres? Or timeframes? When does the modeller become the incipient madman?

And don’t get me started on Focke Wulf 190’s.