The Little World

There are a number of people in my hobby club who make scale model ships and boats – and do it magnificently.

I am about to join them but in a much humbler way – I need a workboat for an air diorama I plan to make. Fortunately Airfix have just the very thing, and a local hobby shop carried one.

The kit is a new production, I believe – as the instructions are the new model Airfix coloured style – each page denoting the previous work with a red colour patch on the building diagram. Thus I expect the moulding to be up to a good standard.

There are three grey sprue trees and they look pretty good – though complex. It is sort of an upturned box structure plopped into the water, with an engine and crew positions at the back and a front that drops into a ramp. You’ve seen them dozens of times in war movies.

I will not have soldiers or marines in it, nor do I plan to put a vehicle in there – as a work boat it will be carrying oil and fuel drums as well as some timber. I well remember the clutter that was in my father’s work barges when he was dredging in lakes and rivers.

The kit has a small number decal sheet and colourful painting call-out. I’m going to be doing the plain US Navy version in home service, so there might be grime and salt marks on it, but no fancy camouflage is needed.