The Little World

Well, that’s the number engraved on the inside of this Airfix kit’s wing. It has a very long history – with this re-boxing probably being put out in ’79. I am fortunate in being able to remember both years, though I struggle to tell you what I had for tea two weeks ago.

The kit is 1962 all through: raised rivets and panel lines, thick canopy, and all the rest of the retro design. It would make a wonderful Airfix Classic release – I’m just happy it was available through an estate sale.

How much extra detail will you need for this? $ 100 of decals and resin and brass? I just need a cup of tea and a biscuit and I can go right ahead with the build. In my case there is a fate awaiting the kit quite different from the RAF trainer or light bomber role that the instructions mention.

I noted another builder of this kit on the internet in the Modelling Madness site who also acknowledged that it is a period piece compared to current oriental or eastern European kits. He, too, gets his kicks building the older offerings, and I hope my result will be as good as his in the end. In both cases we have fulfilled the destiny for the product.

Is this retro-building common? Are there more old-kit builders than the YouTube episodes would suggest? Are we masochists, or tightwads, or just stuck in a time loop? No matter – we may be having more fun for less outlay than anyone.

Note: The decals are ’79 but still in good nick. They may be used for other projects.