The Little World

Those of a ” certain age ” will get it…

Those of that samecertain age will recognize the Airfix Vintage Classic Beaver kit as one of the British Army cooperation planes – but will be surprised when they look at the side of the box – it appears to have been used by the US Army as well.

I initially intended to get one of these to build an RCAF plane on floats – and looked out all the spares I had to make it look appropriately civilian. Imagine my surprise when the side of the box revealed the US plane was already on floats – no hard work involved.

Don’t mind if I do!

The Vintage Classic price and the fact that the kit also includes wheels and skis mean that I may indeed buy another. We’ll see how the first version looks – it will not need the box markings as there are no end of Beavers still flying in all sorts of schemes. Most of the Canadian bush ones seem to have yellow, red, or orange as part of the plan, but in snow areas that is understandable. No RCAF ones, however – they had to wait until the DH3 Otter for military acceptance.

I do note a couple of sink marks on the wingtips where the moulding has had to be slightly thicker – these are easy to Sprue Goo out. If it is anything like other VC offerings it will be a reasonable fit anyway.

The only change I may make is to leave out the pilot and open the doors. Plus a couple of spare tanks on the top of the floats – there are planes operating in northern Ontario with these fitted.