The Little World

A real aircraft, really flying.

Or, in my case, a model of one. The net contributed a wealth of images of this Swordfish flying as part of museum and airshow displays in Canada.

The scheme is maritime patrol of the east coast and there were probably rocket or bomb rails fitted under the lower wing on the full-sized plane during service. No record of actual combat has been found yet, but I am searching my favourite authors.

I have decided to depict HS 554 fitted with a dummy rear -firing Vickers gun. The operating model with complete ammunition and operating cocking lever is available as an aftermarket part for $ 320 but my local police station refuses to issue me with a permit.

I did find a picture of a pilot and two passengers about to go up for either a joy-ride or an attack on the St. Lawrence Seaway and copied their flying suits. One seemed to be in a leather jacket, one in khaki, and one in a red parka.

Again, uninformed observers of the model are bound to see this first and squawk about it. I have my print-out photo ready…