The Little World

Charles Addams agreed, but recommended gravy with it.

So it is with the scale model building hobby. We are offered many kits of things that are essentially the same, but with a different twist.

Take the example of the Japanese battleship YAMATO. I have seen it in commercial form in every scale from 1:3000 to 1:200 and much bigger as a scratch-built item. It features as an egg-boat and anime craft. It is plastered in every modelling book and cartoon strip. The fact that it and its sister ship were enormous albatrosses that hung round the IJN neck is beside the point. They are nostalgic, romantic, and imminently saleable.

The MIKASA was far more important, but it is represented far less.

Roll on the establishment of a scale modelling business that will mould the lesser-known to the same large standards as the major battleships. If the Czech Republic were not land- locked and Ukraine were not fighting for life, their short-run factories would be perfect for different ships and boats.

And more small merchantmen and liners, please. 1:350 seems a good choice of size. Modern ships with colourful liveries would be wonderful.