The Little World

I had no idea I needed it…

Until I stated googling the business of North American air interception in the late 40’s. I identified an interceptor base near to where I once lived and looked over its roster. I was amazed to find the F-82 and to read that it was an effective unit. Then I cast further and discovered it at Ladd AFB in Alaska, complete with contemporary colour photos. I was sold.

And when my local hobby shop put one out the expensive Czech shelf I did not hesitate to go hungry for three days to buy it. Well, not me exactly – the family. They eat too much anyway.

The kit is precisely what I want, with four colour schemes possible and several options of tank, radar, and weapon load-out. I shall opt for the closest to the Kodachrome colour slides taken at Ladd.

It will not have the ” long dong ” radar pod, but I’ll be able to do the Arctic Red scheme on polished metal.

The sprue trees are quite clean – no flash and only a small amount of burring. No sink marks evident on first look. Canopies are very clear but have a potion that forms the front part of the fuselage moulded into them.

There is a little resin and some photo-etch brass, and several of these pieces are foolishly spindly. I shall ignore things that will be hidden by the gear doors.

The instructions are pure Czech, but Special Hobby are accurate with their visuals.

The decals are spectacular, but I suspect the colour of the USAF insignia. I cannot say that they did not fade out in service so I will use them and accept the light look. The nose of my choice is also a light himmelblau anyway so this should tie things together.