The Little World

Old aircraft. But rather than being an old 50¢ baggie, this one comes in a proper box with new moulding and several build choices. And best of all – a set of in-kit jigs to allow the slanted inter-plane struts to be set evenly.

This is one that I saw in a modern model magazine and was instantly taken at the wisdom of the idea. Too many biplanes made by short-run shops are very vague about how and where to join the struts. Some of the major makers solve the problem with pre-made assemblies that drop into slots in the wings, but the thing is neither elegant nor invisible.

This kit has all the hall marks of new Airfix – good flash-free moulding and no sink marks. It’ll be flimsy enough in the assembly, but fortunately the colour scheme is not a difficult one to follow or to mask. There are two versions, one of which is rocket-armed. This is always an eye-catcher for WW1 but I will make up my mind further down the track.

Note that there are two good crew members who will take better painting than the usual 1:72 blobs. And the internet has a number of restored and replicated aircraft in museums to give interior colours.

A club build, this one, and welcome for the fact that the kit is small enough to slip into the building box with plenty of spare space.