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” The Hot Wash Up “

An expression taken from the military – it is the quick analysis of some exercise or battle that has just taken place. It’s related to the cold wash-up, which is a more detailed discussion of the event undertaken later when more information is to hand…and blame can be laid more accurately. In the Little World…
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It’s Back…In Black

You can’t write this stuff, Folks. I finished my coverage of the Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I yesterday with the final pictures of the day fighter version sitting on a deserted airfield. Then I put it into Steins Air World museum to await use as a photo prop. I pottered about all day in the…
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Boulton Paul Defiant – Part Three – We Appear To Have A Winner

I am always surprised by the end of a build – it seems to come so suddenly. Of course, this is because I have been beavering away in the background doing sub-assemblies while waiting for paint layers to set, and the final clapping on of these portions is quite a quick thing. One moment it…
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Boulton Paul Defiant – Part Two – The Paper Work

Every kit I get has some form of paper work associated with it. Mainly instructions, painting sheet, and decals. The BP Defiant is a good example of current Airfix practice. The Instructions these days can be quite complex – if the makers are good communicators. This can depend upon whether they are a large firm…
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Boulton Paul Defiant – Part One – At Last!

As a child in the 1950’s and a young man in the 60’s I was always frustrated. Not about school or friends or money or sex…these problems tended to sort themselves out. I was frustrated that I could never get an Airfix model of a Boulton Paul Defiant in 1:72 scale. It was not that…
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Workmates

I seem to have a number of workmates in the Little Workshop. I daresay they have taken shelter there in the winter and become accustomed to the place. How they cope with the soaring temperatures in the summer is another question, but there are cool places in the garden that they could migrate to. None…
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The Little Kid Model

I was in the airplane kit aisle of my local – Hobbytech – one Sunday, and I encountered a charming scene. A young man – under 20, I should say – was introducing a friend to model kits and helping him to get some to start building. The sort of thing that encourages us all.…
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The Long-Started Kit

A very long time ago I bought a plastic model kit for my daughter. This sounds like the standard modeller’s joke excuse, but I assure you that it was not that at all. My daughter and I had just flown in an Ansett Airways Boeing 767 – 200 to the eastern states for a holiday…
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Whose Decals Are The Best?

And wouldn’t we all like to know. I have been building kits for a little over a year now – in my old age – and I am learning by experience. So far I’ve racked up: a. Revell Germany b. New Airfix c. Mach 2 d. Academy e. RS f. Special Hobby g. ICM h. Zvezda…

