The Little World

I am charmed with the way the Academy 1:48 model of the Polikarpov allows more space for decoration. Not a lot more – this is a small aircraft – but at least 1 .5 X the surface area to paint.

The Spanish Republicans seem to have had a number of schemes – they were not as settled upon their corporate logo as the Nationalists or their fascist allies. There are complex as well as simple paint jobs. What I really appreciate is the colourful and simple tail, fuselage bands, and wing tips. These I can mask and spray easily.

Getting suitable lettering is still tough but I adapted a Soviet number – as I’m sure the Republicans did on occasion.

The Academy kit sits on its landing gear easily – something the smaller ICM 1:72 models do not do. I have built two of them and they both tilt to some extent.

I must say I have never been disappointed in an Academy offering. Like Hobby Boss and Italeri, they have a sensible attitude to design and detail and in the end you have a rewarding model. This was a kind gift.