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If It Is Not The Best Model That You Have Ever Made…

Is it the worst? Let’s face it – we do have failures from time to time. Things start out fine and end up slightly horrid. We may have done what we always do, expecting a win…and ended up with a loss. The finish was off, the shape was off, the build was off. We were…
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The Sound Of A Human Voice

Will draw money from the tightest purse. I wanted to buy some hobby items. My local enquiries proved fruitless – the range of goods had once been carried by local shops but they’d gone on to better paying stock…or failed to sell the previous items. In any case, I was not robbing local tables of…
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How Much Fun Is It To See Other People’s Hobbies?

I wonder at that when I see exhibitions of scale modelling or other Little World pursuits. I know it is fun for the exhibitors as they vie to outdo each other and to buy things that they need for their next project. There is a deadly rivalry in some camps and shows are the battlefield…
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It Is Either A Wonderful Collection

Or an unhealthy obsession. Have you seen the exhibition display of fifty scale models that are all the same car or plane, but painted in different livery? They may be from different makers, but often are just the same kit, repeated. The sight is impressive. If a person has a real interest in one prototype,…
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RCN Swordfish – Part Four – HS 554

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…
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RCN Swordfish – Part Three – Careful Observation

Does not necessarily mean sensible painting. The camouflage patterns painted on British aircraft were pretty standardised in WW2. You’ll all have seen the A and B patterns for fighters, bombers, and such and the basic designs were similar. Paint crews were issued with instructions and often masking mats to enable them to put on the…
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RCN Swordfish – Part Two – The Escapee

Normally you escaped from the USSR – it rarely went the other way. In this case the mould for this FROG Swordfish did cross to the east when the British company closed their shop. The Soviets made a few printed additions to the box and instructions then just wiped its bum and sent it out…
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RCN Swordfish – Part One – The Opportunity

All you need is one – an opportunity, I mean. Then you can do the model you really want. This Novo re-pop of a FROG mould comes along a complex pathway from 1971 through to 1980. I suspect the kit has lain dormant since then – a true survivor of Ye Olden Dayes. As I…
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Is There A Lexicographer In The House?

We need a decision on a number of words. The little world frequently expands its vision past the small individual model. From a simple toy soldier comes a figurine on a plinth. Then several figures arranged in a group. Then a piece of armour or machinery…and so on. Eventually it is a complete depiction of…

