The Little World

Another snap back to the past – in this case provided by a good friend. The Airfix Sunderland III.

This is a later issue box than my original, but the parts are quite the same. This one is an 80’s version. I am hoping the decals have survived the decades, though to be sure they are standard RAF Coastal Command designs. Or rather RCAF under Coastal Command operation.

The sprues are large, of course and coarse, of course, but all there. There are sink marks, misplaced locating pins, ejector pillars, and a moderate amount of flash. The turrets and cockpit canopy are clear – but they are also clear of any framing moulded on. One is left to either reference or imagination to know where the supports go. Fortunately there are preserved examples at air museums and reference photos are fairly easy to come at. Oddly enough you have to search darned hard to find the turrets information.

But the basic structure is sound – as well it might with all those raised rivets. This will look well with a white CC finish , though I intend to follow RCAF colour choice of Extra Dark Sea Grey on the top with no Slate Grey camouflage added. I have two pictures from Skarrup that show the exact aircraft in this configuration and it is seconded by the RCAF picture reference book I found.

The interior will be cavernous, of course, but bare. Airfix had not advanced to detailing the insides of their 1:72 range in the 60’s. If one had a new model from another maker, one might have the inside. As it is I shall do the windows well and hope the darkness hides the hollowness.