The Little World

I’ve been looking at a website that refers to itself as Dem Brudders; it deals with reproduction and re-issued kits.

A number of small makers have ended up with moulds from major American firms; Revell, AMT, Aurora, Monogram, etc. The smaller speciality moulders have re-issued some of the classics that were favourites during the 50’s and 60’s, as well as some rather esoteric ones that we never saw.

This is in addition to overseas firms that scooped up old British or French moulds – we can see old FROG, Mastercraft, and Heller under a number of banners. Some are surprisingly well-made, but the designs and the styles of the earlier period are evident now.

Raised panel lines? Boiler-plate rivets? Oversize working parts? Raised outlines for decals? Bottle-bottom canopies? Frank fantasy and bad moulding? Box scales? Welcome to then…

Now…could you build what is in the box, the way it was meant to be built then? Could you eschew your airbrush for the hairy stick, and your acrylic lacquer for humble Humbrol enamel? Could you turn a blind eye to horrible moulding and inaccurate design?

It’d be a challenge. The prize would be a sense of history that you might not get with a modern kit.

Go on. Every hobby shop has ’em. Even if it is just an Airfix Vintage Classic ( and these are wonderful in themselves ). Sit down and open the box and ruin the kitchen table.