The Little World

I had never heard about Celestino Rosatelli before I read the instruction sheet for this kit, but the story there was enough to send me looking at some of his other designs.

They were mostly successful and few of them looked like clunkers, but as with most of the designs of the period I long to think what they could have been with better engines. And what the engines could have been with better parts. And what the parts could have been with better metals available. But it’s no good winding back one’s desires past what the clock showed at the time.

This one is a sesquiplane, which means when you make up the fuselage and the small wing you get the rough equivalent of an Italian baka bomb. The temptation is strong. I think it must have worked on Studio Ghibli with their ” Porco Rosso ” animated movie.

The fuselage fit is superb, but the moulding has induced stresses that close the engine compartment excessively. A sprue plastic brace in there was needed to bring the panels back into line. First time I’ve ever done it, but it worked.