The Little World

Many modellers build generic aircraft. A Spitfire. A Mustang. A Messerschmitt.

Others build specific ones. The Spirit of St Louis. Enola Gay. The Wright flyer at Kittyhawk.

I draw myself up somewhere in between. An internet search for a particular air force. Narrow down to a theatre. Then a unit or a time and I just paint and decal away. There are a few changes sometimes, but they are armament or simple additions.

This Short Stirling from Italeri will become a single specific aircraft on a single mission. It will go a long way. it will see many people. It will fulfil its mission – education – superbly…and then will go back into general service. While it is my collection, it will be distinctive.

I am thrilled to bits with this Italeri kit. Indeed, I cannot remember an Italeri kit that did not please me. I rank them with Airfix and Tamiya as products that will further the hobby. Remember I work predominantly in 1:72 and these companies are my friends.

Note: I would be friends with Monogram or Aurora or Revell if they were still the companies of my childhood. Alas, they are not.

Clean moulding, full interior, good decals, sturdy ( if complex ) landing gear. Full cockpit. Good instructions, and a colour call out. I ask for no more – as I have Harald Skaarup to provide details of the actual aircraft, it is a highball signal to proceed.

Note for the thinkers amongst the readership: look at the port side door. Cool, eh?