The Little World

And into the mould. This kit has been invaded.

Not by aliens…mould spores are definitely from here on Earth. And this Hasegawa kit has met them. Perhaps from time spent in Japan in humid weather or out in the sheed during the winter..

The condition of the box, instructions, and decals shows fair deterioration, though there is no visible evidence on the styrene. I do not doubt that the spores are there, and the entire kit has been treated as suspect.

a. The instructions have been copied and printed on plain paper.

b. The decal sheet has been sequestered. I will measure the hinomara circles for size and then make my own decals.

c. The box has been sealed in a plastic bag and put in the shed.

d. The entire kit has had a careful wash. The parts will be in a plastic box.

e. The scanner bed and computer keyboard have had a mild bleach wipe.

I do not anticipate trouble from the plastic parts once they have an undercoat. The box will go in the bin as soon as it might.

All things considered, this is a fine kit – a gift from a friend, and worthy of careful construction. It’s in 1:48, and not one of my usual scale projects, but it will serve as a good practice for when I do it in 1:72. And as long as the mould doesn’t get chance to proliferate, all will be well.

It’s worthwhile looking at the condition of stash kit offers when you find them – and taking sensible measures.