The Little World

This Westland helicopter model of the late 50’s from Airfix seems to figure largely in the memories of other people. Everyone I have shown the box to seems to have built it back in the day and are scathing about it.

I am fresh to the neighbourhood and am starting to feel somewhat wary – I wanted a cheap model kit to fill a few days with but I did not deliberately select what people are suggesting is the worst mutt in the dog pound.

Most of the nasty nostalgia centres about the rivets and the clear parts.

I recognize the rivets of the time and accept them. A coat of paint renders them good-looking and decal softeners mean that they are little problem come decorating time. The basic fit of the components is fine – a few scrapes with a sander or knife and things meet as they should.

The clear parts are bad – there is little you can say past that. But they do attach and give some impression of the real thing – and there are no options in Western Australia from some back-yard canopy moulder to replace them.

Apart from all this, the kit is good value for money.