The Little World

As a young person, this was the naval jet aircraft I was most impressed by. It seemed to encompass all there was about flying.

Yet I never possessed a model of one until now – and for years the Italeri kit had been offered on the shelves without getting a nod. I cannot explain the aversion.

However, Christmas was approaching and I was sent to the hobby shop to buy my own presents. This, and an Airfix kit, came home and were whisked away for wrapping. I found them as a surprise under the tree.

That was only the first of the surprises… The kit turns out to be the latest reboxing of a 1988 mould. ESCI, ERTL, Gunze Sangyo, and now Italeri. In the time, the mould has opened somewhat in small areas and left a leaking rime of flash here and there. There are ejector pin marks inside and a slightly bare air scoop trunk in the front. At least it has a cockpit and decals to decorate it, and the option of five different liveries.

The decals look modern and superb – italeri have seldom disappointed. The clear mouldings are also flawless.

The kit has bare wheel wells but adequate landing gear struts. The variable camber wing is held by a thin actuator but this will be re-enforced in the hardly-visible portion under the wing. As it will be geared, the wing will be up.

I am not discouraged – I suspect the build will go well.