The Little World

Every year I like to let myself go with a biggish build and use my time at the Scale Model Club Of Western Australia to do it.

I know it’s going to be a leisurely affair with occasional stops for home air brushing, but I can still make good use of the Tuesday Men’s Shed time for sub-assemblies. The only down side is the repeated transport of the bigger kit boxes to the club rooms. I have to make sure the parts do not go astray. This time I shall be taping some of the completed sub-assemblies to the inside of the box as they are done.

The C-130 has any number of variants used by any number of air forces. I was initially looking for one to make in IDF colours but the box announced that this one has RCAF markings…so that took default. I am a sucker for RCAF connections – I reckon if they put maple leaf roundels on dog biscuits I’d probably eat them.

Well, this one is unfortunately not from the silver-with-lightning-stripe era – it has three-tone grey and black markings. But it is authentic enough for a squadron based at Edmonton so I cannot ignore it. If we had a ready source of aftermarket decals in the town, I would think further afield.

The kit looks good on the sprue trees. I can see very little flash…there may be none at all. The level of detail from Italeri is just right. Like Academy or Hasegawa they do not over-egg the pudding and you can build without feeling frustrated at parts that are too small and too obscure. I cannot speak for larger scales, but I have a number of 1:72 planes from this firm that entirely satisfy.

I note that the interior is going to be mega-visible, so there will be a good deal of internet research to find colours and details. There is also a temptation to think up a plausible load for this big space. Had I elected to make it as IDF I would have had a 70’s Mercedes limousine and a load of commandos in there but as an RCAF plane I guess it will have to be a jeep or a howitzer or crates full of maple syrup.

The plans are extensive, without being fussy. I feel I can trust the drawings, and the writers have assumed I am an adult who doesn’t need to be told not to cut himself or drink the paint. There are no anime characters – a blessed relief.

The decal sheet is gorgeous, but I get the Cinderella section, before she goes to the ball. No colour and a seat in the ashes. Curse the RCAF and their cheap black paint.

Despite this. I am looking forward to the next six Tuesdays.