The Little World

I am always on the alert for Italeri kits – I find them an ideal blend of simplicity and precise moulding.

This Italeri No 144 box was no exception – it was half-way down a pile of unwanted kits at a recent stash sale for the very reasonable price of $ 20. I balanced my cash in hand, debated whether to spend double that amount on a Heller seaplane, and finally plumped for the B-57.

I was not disappointed – the sprue trees were perfect and even the aged decal sheet looked promising. The Italeri instructions were clear enough and the lack of colour on the printed call-out was only a minor setback. The internet has many pictures of Canberras in service in different liveries

As this variant was made by Martin for the USAF, it could logically be built as a silver attack bomber, a black night intruder, or a Vietnam War-camouflaged bomber. The net had illustrations of all three.

There is absolutely no flash to be seen and very few sink marks. The fuselage closure is positive and precise and the wings set into recesses so that they are not going to have gaps.

There is either a closed bomb bay or a full one with the doors rotated open – and nine 500lb. bombs on display. This is by far the most attractive option and so simple to complete. There are tip tanks that slide onto the wings perfectly.

This is another of those kits that you pass on the hobby shop shelves looking for more spectacle – and later kick yourself that you did not purchase.

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