The Little World

Stop groaning. It’s my model airport and I get to make the jokes.

Actually, it’s a museum layout – a very useful way to display a variety of aircraft. In this case they are Israeli, and the idea is patterned on the real IAF museum at Hatzerim. I’ve built enough models to mount two separate exhibitions; a propeller-era one as well as this jet show. The basic structure of runway, hard stands, and old buildings pretty well represents the real thing out there in the Negev.

These jets – apart from the gate guard – are all pretty well fresh. The prop set have been out in the weather a lot longer and are faded and disgusting. I suspect this is the fate at Hatzerim as well…the famous planes like Weizmann’s Spitfire or one of the Avia Messers are kept under cover and carefully repainted but the old Harvards and broken-down captured planes just gradually rot away.

I got an entire trestle to myself and sized the museum accordingly. All the components were transported in the Suzuki hatchback and just laid on the table. Unfortunately the hall doesn’t provide barriers to keep the public away from the displays, so I passed a nervous weekend waiting for some damage.

People do point – both adults and children establish a connection between themselves and a display by extending their fingers toward it. It is an unconscious action.

Fortunately, parents restrained their children for the most part, but there is always the chance of breakage. In future airfield displays I am going to try to attach a clear plastic barrier shield to the front of the table to discourage the touchers. I do not wish them to feel insulted, but equally I don’t want to lose my work.