The Little World

It must have been real.

If it was in a book, it must have happened. If it was an illustration, it must be accurate.

Right?

Well, that is how I used to predicate my modelling. I bought the kits, read the library books, and thumbed through the magazines at the drug store to get my information. I would still do this if there were drug store magazine racks, libraries with airplane books, or kits I could afford. As it is I am stuck with the internet and a de-saturated imagination.

The early days were better. I could buy a kit with a box top that had more action than I would ever experience in my lifetime. There were flames, yellow skies, explosions, and genuine working parts. I wish some of my parts would work…

I must have built some clangers in my time – the hot rods were not too bad, because no matter what abomination you made with the AMT 3-in-1 kits, the real custom car makers would do something worse. The ships were dull, but the airplanes were bright. You can do a great deal with gloss Humbrol and a brush if that is the only thing you’ve got.

I make more authentic models now, but the propensity to jazz things up still exists. I think it is time to build more civil aircraft – even if they are the deliberately unpleasant types.